Helios-33 2/35

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Here's a curious little oddity, I've only seen this lens in cine mount for Konvas and Kinor movie cameras but this one I have is tiny, the size of a 35mm film canister and looks like it is from some industrial equipment.

Back focus is only 20-22mm, I haven't determined the exact measurement yet and I'm working on mounting it in the barrel of another lens, these shots were with it handheld against a NEX-C mount adapter. It looks worth the hassle to remount to me, and I think, like the Helios-44 it's a Biotar type, renders like one but without the swirly bokeh.

These were wide open, ISO800, shows potential I think.

There was a tube about 2cm long, threaded on the outside on the back, I've cut this off so it will now reach infinity, the challenge is to mount it with only 2-5mm distance from the throat of the NEX mount.

Does anyone know anything about the Helios-33? i can't find any info with Google.

fermy · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 1974

Well, here's what Russian Wikipedia says:

This is 35mm movie camera lens made by KMZ;
Covers: 18x24
Mount: M28x0.5
Here are some pictures for people that don't have this lens:
http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/gleban-spb/view/440574/?page=0

From google cache of KMZ Helios-33 page:

6-lens anastigmat;
6 lenses in 4 groups;
Visual resolution (don't ask me what it is) 340 lines per mm in the center.

In Russian forums one can also find 31/20 (center/edge) resolution figures, which seems to be in the same units as usual for Soviet photo lenses. This is slightly worse than collapsible Industar-22, but slightly better than Industar-26m

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Thanks for that info.

Mine looks like this:

I've cut that threaded tube at the back off just behind the rear glass element.

I've stripped down an X-Fujinon 2.2/55 to just the helicoid, the Helios fits nice, now I just have to do some trimming of the back of the carcass of the Fujinon and I should be able to make it work. No big loss on destroying the Fujinon, I have lots of 50mm lenses and this was far from the best and worth virtually nothing on ebay.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Well I think I found where some of these Helios-33s came from, this wierd half frame camera:

http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/farm%203.htm

I found these specs for the lens:

Focal length: 35 mm (34,95 mm)
Relative aperture: 1:2
Vision: 45°
The size of a shot: 18x24 mm
Forward topmost focal length: −20,28 mm
Back topmost focal length: 24,03 mm
Distance from the first to last surface: 22,2 mm
Light diameter of the first surface: Ø17,6 mm
Light diameter of last surface: Ø14,3 mm
Quantity of lenses/groups: 6/4
Limits of a scale of diaphragms: 1:2 - 1:16
Enlightenment type: single-layered, chemical
Mount: M28x0,5
Overall dimensions of a lens (the greatest diameter x length): Ø29,5x26,5 mm
Weight: 52g

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Well, I've managed to mount it in the helicoid of the Fujinon and it fits quite nicely. However, holding it against the NEX, it only focuses about 3m away so I will have to see if I can shorten the barrel a bit to try to get infinity.

fermy · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 1974

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Good lens for sure, good luck for proper mount, fingers are crossed!

Jesito · Expire: 2015-01-07

Nice work!.
The lens seems to be good.
I love to see unusual lenses being reused on the EVIL cams.
I'm currently trying to disassemble the optics of a Vivitar 2x Macro teleconverte in PK mount (that Carsten was so kind to send me) , to hold some good enlarger lenses.
So I appreciate very much all the initiatives like yours, because they can provide interesting clues for this kind of adaptations, thanks for sharing.

Jes.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Thanks guys. I have ordered another set of NEX extension tubes because the rearmost tube with the mount is ideal for using on these DIY projects, when it arrives from HK I can try to finish this job. It would be much easier if this lens didn't have such a short backfocus.

Good luck with your project Jes, it sounds like a good one Smile

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

Just came across this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELIOS-33-2-35-lens-PO4-1m-Leica-LTM-L39-mount-OKC-WITH-FOCUSING-PART-/221923505850

BurstMox · Expire: 2016-08-02

That's expensive...

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

It doesn`t cover FF Rolling Eyes

A PEN F 38mm f/1.8 would be a better choice IMO

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

I'm not buying it, just thought it was a nice little lens for crop mirrorless, I have not come across one before, so though I'd post the link.
And yes, the PEN F 38mm f/1.8 is nice.
I'm actually tempted to pick up the Olympus 40mm LTM.