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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:03 am
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:03 am
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no-X wrote:

torbod: is your silver Helios 13-bladed?

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Yes the silver one has 13 blades, and it is a M39 thread on it.
(The Black one has 6)

/T


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 am
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 am
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Also, found a few other interesting links:

* Helios 44 Outer Limits 44 preset/auto variations, optical and mechanicl construction schematics and drawings.
* Collector's guide picture from a magazine
* Russian Wikipedia page on Helios lenses translated to English

Last edited by larsr on Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:18 am; edited 2 times in total


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:15 am
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:15 am
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torbod wrote:
no-X wrote:

torbod: is your silver Helios 13-bladed?

---


Yes the silver one has 13 blades, and it is a M39 thread on it.
(The Black one has 6)

/T

Mine is a black one and has 8 blades Rolling Eyes ...
(Helios-44-2_ 2/58_7327770)


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:48 am
Post subject: Re: Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:48 am
Post subject: Re: Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer
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no-X wrote:
As promised, here is my actual list of Soviet Helios lenses... Wink


Hi
On this page - http://forum.mflenses.com/complete-list-of-helios-lenses-getting-closer-t26100.html - there are 2 versions you don't have in your list:
1. silver Helios-44 - this version has a different aperture mechanism
2. MC Helios 44-3M

Also there are Helios 44M made by JOV:


[/img]


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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:55 am
Post subject: Re: Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer
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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:55 am
Post subject: Re: Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer
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dimitrygo wrote:
no-X wrote:
As promised, here is my actual list of Soviet Helios lenses... Wink


Hi
On this page - http://forum.mflenses.com/complete-list-of-helios-lenses-getting-closer-t26100.html - there are 2 versions you don't have in your list:
1. silver Helios-44 - this version has a different aperture mechanism
2. MC Helios 44-3M

Also there are Helios 44M made by JOV:


[/img]


Here's the Helios 44-3M ->



some sample shots ->
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dementedjesus/sets/72157623625855021/

I have had shitty weather lately, waiting for a nice sunny day to get some good shots with this puppy


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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:22 pm
Post subject: Few more additions
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:22 pm
Post subject: Few more additions
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Helios-44M made by MMZ


Helios-44M-6 single coated (or at least without MC designation)


Helios-77K-4 (Pentax K mount)



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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:53 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:53 pm
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The early helios 44 with SN N°000 is longer than the N°00 verison.


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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:14 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:14 pm
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calvin83 wrote:
The early helios 44 with SN N°000 is longer than the N°00 verison.


And as I already pointed above different aperture setting mechanism.


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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:58 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:58 am
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I just bought an Helios 44-2 SN:880xxxxx with the concave element, circle and arrow. Any info on it?


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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:15 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:15 am
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Concave element on Helios? I've never heard about anything like that Smile


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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:56 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:56 pm
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This is my Helios 44M-7 with a different design than the 44M-7 I have owned previously.
It is from 1996 and is slightly lighter and with a matt finish.




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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:13 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:13 am
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no-X wrote:
Concave element on Helios? I've never heard about anything like that Smile


Hahah, i mean, in the logo Razz.


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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:03 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:03 am
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Is this a Valdai manufactured 44M-4? If so, does it mean it's probably better than KMZ or any other?



I know this question has been asked a lot of times, but what's the general consensus on the best manufacturer or the best versions of Helios-44? I know that the later models (6,7) have MC, but optically they all have the Biotar design, so the main differences would be in build quality (depends on manufacturer) and coating, right?

edit: and also, what does resolution mean in Jiri's posts (like 41/20)? Is it better for the numbers to be higher?


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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:33 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:33 am
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symphonic wrote:
Is this a Valdai manufactured 44M-4? If so, does it mean it's probably better than KMZ or any other?



I know this question has been asked a lot of times, but what's the general consensus on the best manufacturer or the best versions of Helios-44? I know that the later models (6,7) have MC, but optically they all have the Biotar design, so the main differences would be in build quality (depends on manufacturer) and coating, right?

edit: and also, what does resolution mean in Jiri's posts (like 41/20)? Is it better for the numbers to be higher?


Yes, this is Valdai version. Please note the later models (5,6,7) were made only by Valdai so they cannot be compared to anything. The general consensus for the models made by different factories is that the KMZ is the best maker due to a QA.
Regarding the best model it is very hard to tell and depends on what you are looking in the lens and your preferences. The early models are softer, has preset aperture with many blades that make perfect round diaphragm at all settings. The 44M model has very convenient auto/manual switch and 8 aperture blades. The later models can be used only in auto mode, have only 6 aperture blades, but MC versions are less prone to a flare and have better resolution. Although some people claim their bokeh is less pleasant. Many like MC 44-3 version which is MC, preset and has 8 aperture blades. I personally like MC 44M version but it is extremely hard to find.

The resolution numbers are number of resolved lines at the center/edge of the picture. Higher numbers mean better resolution.


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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:40 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:40 am
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Thanks, dimitrygo! Wink


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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:33 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:33 pm
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Hi All,

Per request (and with apologies for being so slow about it!), I'm adding a few quick snaps to this marvelously helpful thread.

First up: an early Type 1(a) Helios-44 - the version that stops down to f/22 (the aperture ring design is slightly different from the commonly encountered model as well). As the pictures show, this is a lens that has "seen life" (as Matanle might put it), but it produces lovely images. I'll leave to no-X the decision whether to give this model its own number/letter designation (Type 0?), or to subdivide the TYpe 1(a) category.
(Detailed information: lens name in Cyrillic; maximum aperture given as 1:2; focal length given as F=5,8cm; serial number given as No000XXX; red Π symbol present; 13 aperture blades)



Next: a much later lens - a Helios-44-2 that falls into category 1(b) (KMZ, black, colored lettering), but which has a "0" serial number. Since evidence seems to suggest that the Type 1(b) appeared circa 1974, this serial number is a minor mystery. It may or may not be relevant in this connection, but I should note that this lens came to me attached to a Kalimar-rebadged Zenit - an export model.
(Detailed information: lens name in English; maximum aperture/focal length given as 85/2; serial number given as 0XXXXXX; 8 aperture blades)



Finally - and there's nothing really terribly unusual about this one - a Helios-40 that falls into the Type 1 category for this lens, but with a "00" serial number. I thought the image might be useful by way of reference.
(Detailed information: lens name in Cyrillic; maximum aperture given as 1:1,5; focal length given as F=8,5cm; serial number given as No00XXXX; red Π symbol present)



Many thanks to no-X for all his hard work, and for the tremendously useful results!

Cheers,

Jon


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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:01 am
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:01 am
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Very creditable effort and most educational! Well started and many thanks! I look forward to helping in due course.


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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:51 pm
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:51 pm
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Hi All,

Just ran across an "Auto Cosmogon" branded Helios-44M (KMZ) with an odd six-digit 00XXXX serial number. My first thought is that these rebadged lenses must have been assigned a separate series of numbers, and that would account for the "00" here. Do you reckon that makes sense?

Focal length and maximum aperture are also designated differently from the practice I've seen on other 44-Ms. Instead of "58/2", it's "1:2" followed by "F=58mm".

Cheers,

Jon


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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:33 pm
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:33 pm
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Hi no-X,

FYI, I have a black HELIOS-40 which exactly looks like a 40-2
Sérial number "N700xxx"
M42 in brown case with the 3 usual B&W filters.
Filter thread 67x0,75

...BUT, I can't use normal 67mm filters on it. (lens nor filters)
I suspect that, despite what is written on the filters, it is still a 66x0,75 thread (!) The thread seems a little too thin or narrow. Strange, isn't it ?

So, I use the filters as lenshood.

One or twice, I've read owners of others HELIOS 40-2 named only 40.


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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:52 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:52 pm
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Thought it might be nice to see a few Helios 44's and 77's in one box

[very quick and dirty - don't mind the bad quality of the images - will replace them with nicer ones when I get back home]









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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:47 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:47 pm
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It is nice to see so much version of helios 58mm f2, here is one of mine "Helios 44M1 , 2 blades only (cheap version ??)


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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:09 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:09 pm
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convert1 wrote:
It is nice to see so much version of helios 58mm f2, here is one of mine "Helios 44M1 , 2 blades only (cheap version ??)



Shocked

never seen this animal before ... !


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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:27 pm
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That's really interesting! Same aperture design as the Zenitar MC ME-1 1.7/50mm? That lens was designed for the Zenit 18 and had electronic coupling. The Helios 44m1 doesn't have contacts on the back portion does it?


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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:42 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:42 pm
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Correct, the helios 44M1 doesn't have any electrical contacts on the back portion, this lens produces very strange bokeh (stop down of course). I guess optical design is the same like another version as well.


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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:55 am
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:55 am
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My Helios just came in today, so I decided to snap a couple of shots of it to add to the database.

Helios 44 (Type 1f), 2/58, N0xxxxxx, 8 blades, M42 mount




Last edited by gearsNcogs on Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:27 am; edited 1 time in total
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