About Helios 44

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

Probably discussed before, but what is the best version of Helios 44 in terms of IQ?!?

Has anybody did comparisons? Surprised

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Copy variation renders such discussions moot.

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

The later the version, the "better" the results if you are looking for contrast and sharpness.
But I have sold all my copies apart from the oldest one, 44-2, which I liked more than all the newer ones. Wink

Aanything · Expire: 2014-05-30

I have a 44-2, 44-m a 44-m-6 and a 44-m-7 (that I sold)
I tend to prefer the oldest (44-2) because of build quality, preset aperture and a/m switch. I also like better its color rendering, but I never noticed evident differences in sharpness.
But here comes copy variation, so, who knows?
Always heard that the later ones are sharper, anyway.

erkie · Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 308 Location: Missouri

I'm with Carsten on this one. The old 44-2 has a more pleasing rendering for me. I have a 44-7 MC and 44-k-4 non MC which are sharper but that's not what i'm after from a Helios. the 44-7 is sharper than my 44-k-4 and much better coatings but again I prefer the K-4. So for me thee old cheap 44-2 is what I like. You may need to purchase two or three to find a keeper but I've hung on to my first so far.

ForenSeil · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 2726 Location: Kiel, Germany.

This question is asked very often.
And there's always no real answer.
I also prefer 44-2 preset over 44-M7 and 44M (M7 had slghtly better contrast and flare control though). 44-3 has some very good/maybe best recommendations but it's usually more expensive and there's are the same risk of getting "a lemon".

Optical quality spreading is often bigger than the differences between the versions.
You should simply try to get a cheap one in very good condition.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

They tend to get sharper and more contrasty and less aperture blades with each later model. My favourite is the 44-2, but sadly it clonkes the 5Dii's mirror so I use a 44 or a 44M depending on what I'm doing.

I've not seen much of the QC issues reported with my collection of FSU glass and suspect it is blown out of proportion.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

My preference reflects the consensus expressed here. Mine are 44, 44-2, 44-3, and 44M-7. I have already traded my 44M-7. I will be parting with all but the 44-2. While I like the 44, it needs servicing that I do not know how to do, so it will be going. The 44-2 I find to be the most comfortable to use, having what I perceive is a better, more solid build quality than the 44-3 and 44M-7. I cannot see an appreciable difference in IQ, so I'm just going with the one I like best. I don't need to have more than one.

Laurentiu Cristofor · Joined: 23 Oct 2010 Posts: 524 Location: WA, USA

As a note, AFAICT, there is no difference between the 44 and 44-2 in M42 mount - the 44 was made earlier and then they changed its name to 44-2 to avoid confusion with the initial M39 version (Zenit, not LTM). So the 44 are perhaps more collectable, but from any other pov they are identical to the 44-2.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7555 Location: Hong Kong

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

My 44 is m42 and not 13 blade, but is the chrome - or is it alloy - body.

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

44: Stick to the version with the red P (Pi)I have a 13 blade sn"00" that has nasty flare.
44-2: KMZ version seems to be the sharpest.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Is there a legend that shows the symbols and their respective factory names?

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Yes, thank you.

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

My copy is very good.....44m 7 blade with KM3 symbol.

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

Thx guys, I bought a 44-2 today
(have a 44m-4 from before) Wink

fotomachi · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:30 am Post subject:

That's how it begins... From a first to a second Helios and before you realize it, you are buying all the different numbers, then you go for all the different versions of those different numbers, etc...

Have fun Wink

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

Smoli4 · Expire: 2013-06-07

i'v tested all sorts of helios 44, havent had the change to test out an early Helios 44, but i've tested some known helios 44 and 44m side by side.

the 44-2 are sharper then most 44m. (only when looking at 100% crops from 18mp.)
the non MC 44m's looks less sharp and less contrasty.

when tested the MC 44-3 vs the MC 44m-7 sharpness is the best in both those lenses vs all others, 44m-7 is very slightly sharper but ONLY in the corners.
and the MC 44-3 beats the MC 44m-7 in contrast in a noticeable way.
44m-3 also produces better colors in controlled lighting and also produces the better contrast in difficult lights when outside.

( the MC Helios 44-3 i tested is mint never used outside the box with the ET camera. and the Helios 44-2 was mint outside the box aof the ET camera as well. i have a used 44-2 helios and is less sharp then the mint one.. so... this is how it went with my tests. and the mc 44m-7 i tested is a used copy but nonetheless performs excellent. i tested those against 44m-6, mc 44m-4, mc 44m-6.)