Comparison shots : Biotar 58/2 1Q & Helios 44-3 58/2 MC

KEO · Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 761 Location: USA

I have four Biotars from the 1950s and two Helios 44s, one a 44M-4 Valdai and one an old early 1960s silver KMZ.

The silver one is better than the 44M-4 in every way, even though the 44M-4 is perfectly fine. In fact, I'm happy the 44M-4 as good as it is considering the bad things I've heard about Valdai production quality.

The silver KMZ is really nice, and I love shooting with it.

The Biotars, however, on are a completely different level. Between the Biotars and the Helioses, the rendering doesn't even seem that similar, to be honest. They're completely different lenses despite their shared heritage.

It's Biotar for me, all day long, based on lots of shooting done with each of my copies.

bluedxca93 · Joined: 19 May 2021 Posts: 67

Both lenses seem to provide similar results. Bokeh is interesting. However if you use it for nearly every picture that would become boring i think.

räuber · Joined: 13 Nov 2021 Posts: 33

I think the Biotar cross flare suits the image of the girl best. Although only a test shot you could frame it and put it on a wall... if there wasn't that graffiti on her back!