Helios 44-2 58mm F2 Russian Lens for Sony E NEX (for E-mount cameras)

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The sharper the camera sensor the better this lens performs. It takes the “digital bite” out of the harshest video image. It also creates stunning flares. I also use a Metabones Speedbooster on my BMPCC and it really helps to bring this lens to life. The extra stop does magic on this vintage baby. The received wisdom is that the various Helios 44 models share the same optical design, and should be pretty similar. However, in practice, it seems like the character of the lenses can vary. Optical formula, aperture blade count and other functionality is variable between the different versions but the differences won't significantly impact the performance or ease of use. I have my preferences but for the most part it doesn't matter which lens version is used. Later versions are said to have more resolving power but in practice early versions seem to be better. And yes, the bokeh is fabulous. It takes some skill to perfect, as you need to find the perfect aperture/subject distance ratio, but it just really is so gorgeous and unique.

Thank you for the tip on the aperture range ring being adjustable! I wondered why I couldn’t get it past f/5.6, assumed it was jammed and then after reading the article took the lens cap off and tooled around with it, et voila, stop down to f/22 as needed. Lens mount: The Helios 44 is available in a number of mounts, and most notably the earlier chrome versions came in the (non rangefinder coupled) M39 mount. However, M42 is by far the most common. Thanks to Sony, it’s now pretty easy to make use of all of these on modern bodies such as the A7 – though if you are using one of the M39 models, be sure to use a step-up ring to M42, with the relevant M42 to NEX adaptor, as the M39 to NEX adaptor won’t necessarily allow you to focus correctly. It is also apparently possible to use the Helios on DSLRs, but the mirror may hit the rear lens element on certain models such as the Canon 5D Mk I, so be careful when trying this out. While the Helios lens series has many options, the 44M-2 ranks low on my list of favorites to use. Nonetheless, it produces some of the most striking renderings I’ve seen. Helios-44M lenses have been produced at KMZ since 1971, and the main differences from the base model Helios-44 concern only the aperture control method, the number of aperture blades and the resolution of the lens:The third Helios-44 completely repeats the previous one, but the number of aperture blades was changed - they were reduced to 9. These lenses were equipped with Zenit-3M cameras in 1962-70. In the same 1962, the Helios-44 lens for the Start camera also reduced the number of petals to nine. Our frequent coverage of lenses and cameras from the former Soviet Union might make us seem like ardent fans of the subgenre, but I can assure you it’s not the case (true at least for the members of the CP writing staff who aren’t named Jeb). I’ve come to the conclusion that despite their internet reputations for being amazing dark horses, most of these lenses are just sub-par copies of German ones. But there’s one lens in my collection that quietly and consistently reminds me that I don’t know it all, and that lens is the Helios 44M 58mm f/2. The Cine Helios 44-2 VLFV is a new lens from Iron Glass that rehouses the cult classic 58mm Helios swirly-bokeh vintage lens. I like to do these diffraction tests because they always help to find the sweet spot of the lens. Typically diffraction is influenced by the pixel pitch of the camera sensor, but – sometimes some lenses still perform better than others. f2 - f4 will have significant "smudging" in the corners and edges. This is more visible on digital but it doesn't fully escape analog as well. After f4 things start to improve but there will never be a sharp frame from one corner to other. Even at f8. For that reason I can't recommend this lens for landscape or architecture type photography. Or any photography that requires everything to be evenly sharp. Obviously you can take a unique twist for any genre so don't take this as an absolute.

We know you’d like to see more sample images so there you go! This time is from Heidi Makkonen, 38 years old, self-taught photographer, constant beauty seeker and mom of two kids. You don't buy this lens for its sharpness, you buy it for its character. This is first and foremost a lens for subject photography, and it does its job extremely well. Chances are, if you’re reading this review, you’re probably already aware of the peculiar, swirly bokeh that this old beast puts out. The third ring from the camera is responsible for directly changing the aperture. With this ring, you can change the aperture value from f2 to the value that is set by the front ring of the preset. It is clear that you want to get the strongest blur. But it often happens that the focus misses the key place in the picture.These days a whole new range of M42 adapters exist to use these screw mount lenses on DSLRs and mirrorless bodies too.

The original 44-2 (my favourite model of all) is a preset aperture lens. It has two aperture rings. This is not the sharpest lens in the world. The wild sample variation definitely brings the average sharpness down but don't expect razors even from the best copy. That is not to say that the lens is soft. In the center it's sharp. It's when moving towards the edges and corners is where issues creep in. Helios-44-2 is a fast lens. Not prohibitively fast for such a phased array, but f2 is quite enough for 99% of subjects. The name of Helios lenses are usually written as Helios-44 X- N, where X -is the index of lens mount (nothing for earliest m39, M for m42 thread, K for Pentax K bayonet, Д for Zenit-D bayonet) and N is a "generation" number rather than optical resolution index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (see optical resolution of lenses below). Corners won't swirl in any old photo. There are certain requirements that have to be fulfilled to summon the mythical creature that is the swirly BOKEH.

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This first version of the lens really looks old school with its silver-like shining chrome body. It has a 13 blade aperture with preset aperture control, the maximum opening is f2 and the minimum is f16. The minimal focusing distance is 0.5m. The lens uses a 49mm filter. Some really old Helios 44 lenses, such as the one presented here, do not have the typical Soviet serial number where the first two letters indicate the production year. Also, the glass has a purple tint, which is somehow atypical for a non-coated or single-coated lens. Unfortunately this is one of the only things missing with this lens. The Helios 44-2 58mm does not have any built in autofocus. Everything on the lens is completely manual. This includes the manual aperture ring towards the front of the lens.