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age of helios 44m?
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:33 pm    Post subject: age of helios 44m? Reply with quote

i have a helios 44m lens and wa wondering if someone can give me a rough idea of age. it just says "helios-44m 2/58" on the front, so i'm assuming it an early model?


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

first two digits of its serial number = year of manufacture

this lens was manufactured mostly during 1981-1982


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the serial number is 7953250 so i'd be right in saying it's a 1979 model?

i was only born in 1982 lol


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, the lens could be your older brother Smile


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

it'll make a good start to my 'vintage' lens collection. hopefully with more to come soon Smile

there's a 28mm helios that's caught my eye at the minute


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

28mm Helios isn't original Soviet product. Some Japanese manufacturers used Helios name for its lenses after CCCP broke up.


PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

are they as good as the russian made items?

i've been impressed with the build quality of the one i have


PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

no-X wrote:
28mm Helios isn't original Soviet product. Some Japanese manufacturers used Helios name for its lenses after CCCP broke up.


I've also seen Helios Auto 135mm f/2.8 made in Japan on a local market. I don't like it's build.


PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

soulhd wrote:
no-X wrote:
28mm Helios isn't original Soviet product. Some Japanese manufacturers used Helios name for its lenses after CCCP broke up.


I've also seen Helios Auto 135mm f/2.8 made in Japan on a local market. I don't like it's build.

Thats also from the Japs.

They didnt register theyr trademark outside CCCP, so anyone could have copyied Helios.
From what I can say, is that the best quality came from the factory KMZ.

Thats the KMZ logo. I havent found one lemon from KMZ.

In the late 80s. other factories in mother russia also started to up quality. My 1985 Helios 44-3 from BeLOMO is also very nice. The best quality russian I have found, is the 1984 KMZ made Mir-24M. The built quality and the coating is so stunning. The contrast on that lens is breathtaking.

Try to get a Helios 44-2, alot more character than M series.


PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joosep wrote:
Try to get a Helios 44-2, alot more character than M series.

It's worth to mention that this is a preset lens with a focus ring placed too close to a mount. I don't say this is bad but some people don't like one or both these features. Also it is exactly the same lens optically as 44M so I don't understand how it can have a lot more character. The later MC models (44M-5,-6,-7) can have slightly different character due to the coating and 6 aperture blades. Both 44-2 and 44M have 8 aperture blades.


PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dimitrygo wrote:
Joosep wrote:
Try to get a Helios 44-2, alot more character than M series.

It's worth to mention that this is a preset lens with a focus ring placed too close to a mount. I don't say this is bad but some people don't like one or both these features. Also it is exactly the same lens optically as 44M so I don't understand how it can have a lot more character. The later MC models (44M-5,-6,-7) can have slightly different character due to the coating and 6 aperture blades. Both 44-2 and 44M have 8 aperture blades.

Maybe different glass inside? or structure...my guess.


PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dimitrygo wrote:
Joosep wrote:
Try to get a Helios 44-2, alot more character than M series.

It's worth to mention that this is a preset lens with a focus ring placed too close to a mount. I don't say this is bad but some people don't like one or both these features. Also it is exactly the same lens optically as 44M so I don't understand how it can have a lot more character. The later MC models (44M-5,-6,-7) can have slightly different character due to the coating and 6 aperture blades. Both 44-2 and 44M have 8 aperture blades.


I have had two 44-2´s and two 44M-4´s and one 44-3.
The 44-2 has ALOT more character.
I dont think they do have the same formula.