How to CLA Helios-40?

voe · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:22 am Post subject: How to CLA Helios-40?

Hi all,

I've just received my Helios-40 lens but found that the focussing is somewhat stiff. Is there a guide of how to do a CLA on a Helios-40 or any disassembling guide in Internet?
I have successfuly removed the old grease from my Jupiter-9 lens and lubed it with white litium grease and now it is as smooth as a takumar, so I want to do the same with my Helios-40.

Thanks,

Voe.

voe · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:

I managed to take some sample photos with the Helios-40 during my lunch brake today.
All the images here are shot at f/1.5 and are straight from the camera.

100% center crop

I think I have a keeper lens.

Poolhall · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 1311

Definately looks very nice Very Happy

Attila · Expire: 2021-11-18

Helios must be a simple lens, I never opened any of them. But I purchased cleaned lenses. Ask any Russian sellers, perhaps they able to help.

sichko · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2528 Location: South West UK

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/5536059_zb9NC#339051540_UjNYv

This link shows how to put a Nikon mount onto a Helios 40-2.

It's probably not exactly what you want but it may be useful.

voe · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:23 am Post subject:

This link is exactly what I needed. Thanks!

I managed to dismantle my Helios-40, degreased it with petrol and put white lithium grease. Now it feels as smooth as a Takumar:)
While I was cleaning it there was so much dirt in the form of fine sand comming out of the focusing helicoid that I was wondering how could it rotate at all. The focusing is now perfect.

Attila · Expire: 2021-11-18

Great to hear your refurbished successfully this beauty.

voe · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:03 am Post subject:

Thanks guys.

This is my Helios-40. I think it is one of the earliest version. On most of the Helios-40 lenses I've seen on the Internet the serial number starts with the year of manifacturing. This one though is different.

I've also never seen a Helios-40 lens with a red "П" (P) letter on it. It reminds me of the red "T" letter on some of the Zeiss lenses signifying the better coating than the regular Zeiss lenses. Or maybe it's just a wishful thinking. Smile

Above you can also see the three color filters that comes with the lens in a leather case.

Since the filter thread of the Helios-40 is 66mm (unlike Helios-40-2 with a 67mm filter thread) I could not find a hood for this lens. So I came up with the idea of removing the glass from the three color filters and stack the metal rings together forming a not too bad looking hood. You can see how thick the filter glass is.
This lens is built like a tank and it weights like a tank. In fact it reminds me of a AK-47, it looks very robust mechanically.

Fotal · Expire: 2013-08-21

voe, did you use the same guide of 40-2 to dismantle 40?

voe · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:36 am Post subject:

This is what I used:
http://grozny.dephis.ru/txt1.php?fil=02

It's in Russian, though.

Fotal · Expire: 2013-08-21