Helios 44k-4 disassembly and focus adjustment

[yusuf]

Hi,

My Helios 44k-4 does not focus on infinity. I tried to adjust rear element which helped, but can't adjust any further (will be too loose). Any idea, will front element adjustment do?

Also, I am looking for disassembly instructions for Helios 44K-4. This one does not have any screws on body except on mount.

Can someone help me please.

Thanks
Yusuf

[Lightshow]

I haven't worked on one yet so I can't really help much, but I do know that loosening the element retainer or the rear group is the wrong way to adjust infinity, you risk damaging your camera if it comes loose, and the elements will not be at their proper distances from each other, which could cause other optical issues.
Is this your only K mount lens? If it isn't, it could be the adapter is out of spec, trying more k mount lenses will tell you if it the adapter.

[nukemall]

For infinity adjustment:

1. Make similar tool:



2. Unscrew nameplate ring:



3. Unscrew small screws and remove part with filter thread:



Here you can see small screws(dark on yellow brass), they connecting focusing ring with the helicoid.
Set focus to infinity and loose these screws(focusing ring must rotate freely). Connect lens to camera and direct to remote object. Look to "Live View" and adjust focus. You can rotate outer(brass) ring of helicoid by side pushing screw head with screwdriver. When focusing is correct - set ring to infinity and tighten screws.

[yusuf]

Thanks a lot nukemall. That exactly what I needed.

I could not move helicoid further to I assume focusing ring and helicoid were in proper place (pls correct me). However, then loosening front element a bit solved the problem. Looks like a shim was needed. Now lens focuses to infinity.

Again thanks
Yusuf

[nukemall]

If you loose element(front or rear) - then you change lens focal length and optical design. Infinity focus adjustment can be made for this lens only by correcting position of the focusing ring relative to the helicoid's outer ring.

See here:

[yusuf]