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Helios-44-2 like it better than 44M-4.
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:27 pm    Post subject: Helios-44-2 like it better than 44M-4. Reply with quote

Today I went shopping in Victoria Market in Melbourne and I decided to take my camera with me in order to test my newly acquired Helios-44-2.

Here some of the shots I got with this lens. All the shots are taken at the maximum aperture of the lens f/2.


















And this is a 100% crop of the above image:








I used to have Helios-44M-4 version of this lens but found the 44-2 sharper. I also like how smooth the focusing is (too smooth actually).

For such an old design I am surprised how sharp this lens is.


Last edited by voe on Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:39 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am surprised at how good your manual focusing skill is. Congratulations!

BTW I also like the 44-2 better.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nice series with superb colors & bokeh
the portrait is sharp and beautiful


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree with your assessment, I also feel the 44-2 to be the better lens.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 44-2 is so much better! I had a 44M-4 for a couple of days and, although it had a little better contrast, the 44-2 was much sharper!


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Orio wrote:
I am surprised at how good your manual focusing skill is. Congratulations!

BTW I also like the 44-2 better.


Thanks!
For some reason I find the focus confirmation LED in the viewfinder more reliable than my split focus screen. Almost every time the light is a stable (non flashing "green") I know I got the shot. Usually it takes me 3-4 seconds to tweak the focus.

For the last 12 months I noticed that I use manual focus lenses in about 90 percent of my photos.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Love #2 - were they selling it for meat? I know that camel is a popular meat downunder Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy


patrickh


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great photos Smile

I have a Helios 44-3, don't have myuch to compare with but I like that one.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent captures! This is normal development on ex-communist lenses, olders are better. Old ones made on genunie Zeiss machins , probably by kidnapped Zeiss people.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Natural and beautifull face, rich expression.

I have two jupiters 9, one of 1971 and the other 1985. Non MC, the first is blue and pale yellow reflexions (better yellow-green transmission) and the last is yellow-brown reflexions (better green-blue transmission). I can't see more differences in the optical.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
Excellent captures! This is normal development on ex-communist lenses, olders are better. Old ones made on genunie Zeiss machins , probably by kidnapped Zeiss people.

I like it Very Happy
As far I know Helios is a copy of CZJ Biotar. Suppose to be good. And it is. Above captures - super.

I can confirm that 44-2 is better. Both photos @f2.0





PostPosted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I once had the Helios 44-2, 44M-4 and 44M-7 all at the same time. The last one is the sharpest, couldn't really say much about the 44-2 as it had a slim screw mount and was very hard to block all light from entering the rear, it also had a very recessed front lens, 8 aperture blades and the aperture adjustment wheel was right on the front lens rim. But the 7 was certainly better than the 4 and has better coatings - less prone to flare. I take it the 44M-2 is a quite different lens to 44-2 I had. I wonder does the 44M-2 have 8 aperture blades as well?


PostPosted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The sharpness by f2,0 is amazing.
Wonderfull lens, good pictures.

What is the middle price of the Helios 44-2?

regards Peter


PostPosted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

padiej wrote:

What is the middle price of the Helios 44-2?



Just a few euros, normally less than 10 - often with a camera attached Very Happy . Most of them are sold with old Zenit E or ET, so look for Zenit auctions and look on the pictures what lens is attached.


I have 15-20 different helios 44 here at home and tried most of them. Although resolution of 44M-6 and 44M-7 is better, I like the output of the 44-2 much more.

Michael


PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fantastic shots! Great lens, everybody should have one.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try still early version Helios-44 39mm. On figure the impression of an objective can not coincide with film tests, on film H-44 are rather weak, IMHO.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder how the 44-2 compares to the real thing CZJ Biotar 2/58mm. I have seen the alum CZJ regularly on the 'bay, but 44-2 is not that easy to find and harder on the wallet, especially considering the postage from the Ukraine. Perhaps the real thing is a better buy.

I have the 44-2 but it doesn't get use more often especially after the arrival of the Tessars.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bawang wrote:
I wonder how the 44-2 compares to the real thing CZJ Biotar 2/58mm. I have seen the alum CZJ regularly on the 'bay, but 44-2 is not that easy to find and harder on the wallet, especially considering the postage from the Ukraine. Perhaps the real thing is a better buy.

I have the 44-2 but it doesn't get use more often especially after the arrival of the Tessars.


I once had a CZJ Biotar 2/58mm, but I have sold it again because it did not have anything that the 44-2 doesn't have. (And I made a small profit which I couldn't have done with the Helios...)


PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Diferences between Helios 44-2 and 44M-2?

Are both preset?

Why "M" in late Helios?


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a 44M-2? I have never seen it . As I know, there are these versions:

  • Helios 44 (35/14 or 36/17) - earliest, silver, similar to Biotar, M39 version
  • Helios 44-D (41/21) - mount for KMZ Zenit automat D
  • Helios 44-2 (38/20), 8 blades, M42
    • KMZ
    • JOV
    • MMZ
      • classic version
      • zebra
      • redesigned version - similar look to 44-3
  • 44-3 (?/?), 8 blades - only by MMZ, not common, said to be better than 44M and 44M-4
  • 44-3M (?/?), 8 blades - rare, MMZ, "M" after number "3" means Macro (joinable to special macro bellows)
  • 44M (38/19), 8 blades, A/M - KMZ, common, "M" after "44" means M42 screw-mount
  • 44M-4 (38/19), 6 blades - JOV
  • 44M-4 MC (41/20), 6 blades - KMZ
  • 44K-4 MC (41/20), 6 blades - KMZ, K-mount
  • 44M-5 MC (41/20), 6 blades - JOV
  • 44M-6 MC (45/25), 6 blades - JOV
  • 44-7 (36/17 or 41/21), 6 blades - older than 44M series, special design (1971?)
  • 44M-7 MC (50/30), 6 blades - 1993, JOV, superb sharpness esp. corners
  • 77M MC ("MS") (45/25?) 50/1.8, 6 blades - manufacturer unknown, improved Biotar design
  • 77M-4 MC (45/25) 50/1.8, 6 blades
    • JOV
    • Vologda


JOV means Jupiter Optics Valdaj

Usage of 44-2, 44-7 and 44M-7 MC on DSLR could be problematical (44-2 esp. on 5D, 44-7 wherever, 44M-7 MC on SD14 and possibly many other cameras).

44-2 and 44-3 have better built than the later series, which are more variable among copies. I would reccomend 44-2, 44-3 or the later ones (44M-6 MC, 44M-7 MC, if your camera accepts them)


Last edited by no-X on Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:12 am; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

padiej wrote:
The sharpness by f2,0 is amazing.
Wonderfull lens, good pictures.

What is the middle price of the Helios 44-2?

regards Peter


Hi Peter - I am selling 2 lenses HELIOS 44-2...

less than 6 EUR + shipping cost Smile))

interested? let me know --

see this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300254575316&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300254575420&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020

barrels shows too many signs of use and one of them has oil blades but works smooth...

tf


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

trifox wrote:
padiej wrote:
The sharpness by f2,0 is amazing.
Wonderfull lens, good pictures.

What is the middle price of the Helios 44-2?

regards Peter


Hi Peter - I am selling 2 lenses HELIOS 44-2...

less than 6 EUR + shipping cost Smile))

interested? let me know --

see this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300254575316&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300254575420&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020

barrels shows too many signs of use and one of them has oil blades but works smooth...

tf


Sold Wink

Tell me the total for both, included shipping to Italy, and I'll send you money through Paypal ASAP.


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No they're not sold: still alive on ebay Smile So I suggest to hurry up until somebody else will acquire them.
Actually I was planing to buy one myself but as a courtesy for a fellow mf member i will wait couple of more hours.


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

piticu wrote:
No they're not sold: still alive on ebay Smile So I suggest to hurry up until somebody else will acquire them.
Actually I was planing to buy one myself but as a courtesy for a fellow mf member i will wait couple of more hours.


I will survive.

Since the auctions are with the "buy it now pay soon" system I'd have to pay twice 9 GBP shipment, alas 18 GBP for 8GBP of lenses, if I pass through eBay.

If you want to do it, they're all yours.


PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

alessandro ---

i have stopped the auction because of 'the listing error' Smile

shipping to Italy -
8 GBP - international signed-for and
8 GBP for 2 lenses Helios 44-2
total 16 GBP

-----

or if you are willing to give one of them up to PITICU - let me know

both lenses are optically SAME -- one has more oil on blades but its not too bad

I can post the samples from this morning...Smile at f/2

LET ME KNOW, thanks

tf