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Found a Helios-44-2! What version is this?
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:47 pm    Post subject: Found a Helios-44-2! What version is this? Reply with quote
So uhm, got myself ANOTHER lens but this time it was a bargain again!

This Helios 44 was quite different than the others I have seen so far! The fact that the Aperture is changed at the top of the lens, rather at the base, made me wonder what kind of lens this is. Also noticed that the Serial number is quite a low digit, namely N0009141. Also the focus ring has a black/white pattern, is this a so called 'Zebra'? The focus itself was going very heavy but I could easily disassemble the focus ring and fix this issue for the time being.

Here are some pics of this lens itself, I hope it helps to identify this Smile.





PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
sn:00 means in most cases lens mode for communist part leaders , pretty good chance to you get a damn good lens for nothing.

I just tested one step older silver lens yesterday.

http://forum.mflenses.com/helios-44-silver-m39-first-version-t20986.html


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
sn:00 means in most cases lens mode for communist part leaders .....

Atilla - Have you found the 00 serial numbers to be of better quality?

Also, any leads on the where the info about this claim originated. I'd be interested to hear as I know 2 people that have 0xxxxxx serial numbers on their 44-2s. One was bought new in the UK and one a recent buy from ebay.

Thanks


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have one with a 0 serial too Smile


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
Attila wrote:
sn:00 means in most cases lens mode for communist part leaders .....

Atilla - Have you found the 00 serial numbers to be of better quality?

Also, any leads on the where the info about this claim originated. I'd be interested to hear as I know 2 people that have 0xxxxxx serial numbers on their 44-2s. One was bought new in the UK and one a recent buy from ebay.

Thanks


My copy is start with 10xxx and still untested. Silver one what I did post in digital gallery an excellent very sharp lens start with 02xx
If this 00xx case is true perhaps they have better QC. I had three or four silver all was excellent no exception. So answer is I don't have experience with both, I have a very early Helios-40-1 sn:000230 or something similar that is a superb lens better than any later edition include 40-2. Andy F16Sunshine also have it and love his copy. I believe good to take earliest copy what you able to find. Right after WWII they take out (polite expression) Zeiss machinery with Zeiss people and raw material from Germany. I guess this is the key why earliest are finest ones. I did test early Jupiter-9 RF lens what Orio bought it I did like it's output better than any other later Jupiter-9 results. Of course these are my very subjective opinion.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good to know Attilla. By the way why does this lens have inversed diaphragm ring ? f2 = f16 :s Laughing
not that it does disturb much, but its rather uncommon


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hexi wrote:
Good to know Attilla. By the way why does this lens have inversed diaphragm ring ? f2 = f16 :s Laughing
not that it does disturb much, but its rather uncommon


Eagle eye I didn't catch it.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hexi wrote:
Good to know Attilla. By the way why does this lens have inversed diaphragm ring ? f2 = f16 :s Laughing
not that it does disturb much, but its rather uncommon


I noticed this at first too, when I was turning it like crazy but in the opposite direction. I like the fact you can preset the diaphragm though, quite a nifty feature to quickly switch between F2 and Fwhatever.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lenses for "very important persons" were off-series and started with one, two, or three zeros, depending on the category of VIPs
Those zeros imply that the lenses passed through a severe quality control. This does not mean that they are better than the other lenses, but it means that for sure they are not worse. Which is already something !


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Lenses for "very important persons" were off-series and started with one, two, or three zeros, depending on the category of VIPs
Those zeros imply that the lenses passed through a severe quality control. This does not mean that they are better than the other lenses, but it means that for sure they are not worse. Which is already something !

Orio - What is your source for this info?

I know it's common belief but I can't find anything concrete and it seems it may be an internet legend.

If not I may need to buy a few more 44-2s. Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Woaw, so this lens really is something? I had this feeling when I first saw it looking differently than others and having the low SN. I also found this other topic on Helios's on this board that described this one as the 'Zebra'.

What would anyone reckon this is worth if any of this adds worth? Besides that it'd still like to know the worth as I picked it up for a great deal!

Here's a quick test I managed to take between the rain.



PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think clearly shows how excellent !


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a helios like that but minus silver zebra stripes. It has inverted top ring for preview - which is good for use with adapter. It was on cheap zenit and it has sn starting with 777 so probably nothing special.

Bokeh and sharpness are great but the colors are little washed out compared to other lenses I have.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://forum.mflenses.com/a-word-about-russian-serial-numbers-t3332,highlight,word+russian+serial+numbers.html

I was the first to fully write out these findings in this forum (I don't think I've ever actually received credit outside of that particular post though, eh no worries). You can probably still ask Alain Berry where he actually got his information. I know he is still active in the ussrphoto.com forum.


PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
JWH wrote:
Woaw, so this lens really is something? I had this feeling when I first saw it looking differently than others and having the low SN. I also found this other topic on Helios's on this board that described this one as the 'Zebra'.

What would anyone reckon this is worth if any of this adds worth? Besides that it'd still like to know the worth as I picked it up for a great deal!

Here's a quick test I managed to take between the rain.



It seems as good as any other Helios. They are great lenses regardless of serial number.
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