Helios-44 Standard lens with coated optics for SLR cameras. It was created on the basis of the Biotar 2/58 lens (Carl Zeiss Jena), originally called "BTK" - "BioTar Krasnogorsky".
Helios-44 is the most popular lens of KMZ, because most SLR cameras from this manufacturer were equipped with it. Helios-44 is one of the most popular lenses in the world. It was produced in many varieties and variants at several enterprises in the USSR.
The review presents a version for M39 thread manufactured at KMZ.
Focal length: 58mm
Field of view: 40 ° 28 ′
Frame size: 24 × 36 mm
Number of lenses / groups: 6/4
Working distance - 45.2 mm
Aperture ratio: 1: 2
Aperture scale limits: 1: 2–1: 16
Aperture blades - 13
Aperture adjustment - stepless
Aperture preset - yes
Near focusing limit - 0.5 m
Connections:
lens with camera - M39 × 1
for screw-in bits - M49 × 0.5
for slip-on attachments - ∅51 mm
Filter Mount Location: Front
Resolution according to TU (center / edge): 35/14 lines / mm
Light transmittance coefficient: 0.08
Weight - 225 grams
You will additionally need an M39-M42 adapter in any case.
Type Brand Link to adapter
SLR Nikon M42-Nikon F without lens
M42-Nikon F with lens
Canon M42-Canon EF
Sony M42- Sony/Minolta
Pentax M42-pentax K
Mirrorless Sony M42-NEX
Olympus/ Panasonic M42-m 4/3
Fuji M42-FX
Nikon M42-Nikon 1
Definitely, Helios-44 should be owned by everyone who is interested in using Soviet optics. This is not just a lens, this is an entire era.
Helios-44 is a wonderful lens. No wonder his ancestor was Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58.
This family of lenses produces sharp images from the widest aperture. In this case, the picture will be quite soft - portrait.
Helios-44 has a signature bokeh character - it is a little swirling.
P2123006 Aperture, sharpness, softness, 13 aperture blades, beautiful blur, long helicoid travel - all this makes Helios-44 an excellent portrait lens.
For these purposes, they buy it now. Moreover, on the crop, when the EGF is lengthened, it will become even more convenient to use Helios-44 for portrait photography.
There are many modifications of this lens and buying a version for the M39 thread is not necessarily the best option.
On the one hand, later versions already have an image of "consumer goods" (not very deservedly, strictly speaking). On the other hand, a serviceable and tidy version of the white M39 is now quite rare and therefore is not cheap.