Helios 44-2 & Industar 50-2 concerns

AlcatrazT2 · Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 35

Hello Folks,

I picked up a '79 Zenit-E along with a Helios 44-2 2/58 and Industar-50-2 3.5/50 for $40 cash.

I tried using the Zenit-E but found it useless since the film wouldn't catch on (broken metal bracket on the reel).
Not a big concern since I got the camera as a 'freebie.'

The Helios 44-2 2/58 has a Serial Number: 7646074 and was made in the Valdai Optical-Mechanical Factory (Valdai). There is miniscule oil on the aperture blades. Aperture/focus ring is really smooth. Overall, the optics are in great condition. My only concern is that the rear element has a small surface scratch. I don't know if this will be visible in the pictures. What do you folks think?

The Industar-50-2 3.5/50 has a Serial Number: 80006052 and was made in the Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod (KMZ). There is miniscule oil on the aperture blades. Aperture ring is really smooth. Focus ring was stuck. After some force, I got it unstuck but now have a very stiff focusing ring. I read somewhere that I need to pour 2-3 drops of lighter fluid on the helicoid threads, then twist the focusing ring so it gets uniformly down inside the lens, then remove the excess grease that is forming around the mount with a Q-tip. Overall, the optics are in excellent condition. In addition to the stuck/stiff focusing ring, one of two screws next to the rear element appears to be stuck somewhere inside the lens (I can't seem to spot it). What do you folks think?

I'll be using these on a Canon 550D (T2i) and am currently awaiting on the arrival of the M42 to EOS adapter (Fotodiox (Type 2) Lens Mount Adapter with Dandelion AF Focus Confirmation Chip).

I e-mailed the individual from whom I bought the stuff from asking to see if he has any spare copies of the lenses (he has a large warehouse of old camera equipment). Is it even worth exchanging the lenses assuming he has some spares laying around (he was a really nice fella)? I will appreciate any comments and suggestions.

Last but not least, I guess I can now welcome myself to the MF Lens world!

inombrable · Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Posts: 545 Location: Salamanca, Mexico

The scratch doesn't look very much detailed on the picture but i am quite sure it won't affect the image quality.

About the industar, yes you will need to relube, never had one so i don-t know exactly how difficult (or easy) that might be.

Good luck

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

Use caution when dealing with stiff focus helicoids, if the lube is dry then there is no real danger of damage, but if it's debris, it could cause it to seize.
These lenses IMO are perfect to learn maintenance on.

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18

Last element seems pretty worn overall. I'd say you'll be losing 3% of max. output.

tromboads · Expire: 2015-10-01

3% And just what is that 3% a measure of?

Just take pictures with the dam thing. A scratch like that isn't going to hinder or help any of the images you choose to imagine before telling your camera to capture them Cool

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18

A measure of image degradation compared to perfect Smile

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Webwalker · Joined: 09 Jan 2012 Posts: 96 Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

You may regrease the Industar-50-2 very easy. I have cleaned the four lenses. You need unscrew 3 screw-bolt on the barrel (on ring where printed aperture values). Open barrel. Then remove stop pin. Do not forget to place mark before splitting the helicoid.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

Well the scratch will have some impact on IQ, but I doubt you'll notice it. As for the Indy, they are very easy to take apart and relube. Don't use lighter fluid or it will feel like you have sand in the helicoids.

sichko · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2475 Location: South West UK

AlcatrazT2 · Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 35