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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Best Helios lenses
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Hi,
I have a few Helios lenses and absolutely love them.
In your opinion, with regard to the 50/58mm Helios 44x lenses for F/M42/M39 mounts:

- Which one ist the sharpest WO?

- Which one has the swirliest bokeh?

- Which one has most pleasant and creative bokeh overall (swirly or not)?

- Which one has best and most durable mechanical construction?


Thanks for chiming in.
Warning: your comment could lead to further ebay purcheases Smile


Reply

wolan wrote:
Hi,
I have a few Helios lenses and absolutely love them.
In your opinion, with regard to the 50/58mm Helios 44x lenses for F/M42/M39 mounts:

- Which one ist the sharpest WO?

- Which one has the swirliest bokeh?

- Which one has most pleasant and creative bokeh overall (swirly or not)?

- Which one has best and most durable mechanical construction?


Thanks for chiming in.
Warning: your comment could lead to further ebay purcheases Smile


The correct answer to all the questions may be: the righe one! Laugh 1

In detail:
1 depends, some say older ones, or just go for the zenitar 50 (even the plastic zenitar m2s can be sharper than helios-44)
2 the Helios-40 Very Happy
3 the one with more blades, again older ones
4 same, most versions are russian tank like (except the plastic zenitar m2s)


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Check this -

http://forum.mflenses.com/complete-list-of-helios-lenses-getting-closer-t26100,highlight,%2Bgetting+%2Bcloser.html

From the technical specs, the 44m-7 would be the sharpest, though they have only 6 aperture blades, which is not quite desirable. But that doesn't mean everything, all lenses in this series are just sharp enough.