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Ismaelg
Tinkerer
Username: Ismaelg
Post Number: 44
Registered: 11-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 07:10 pm: | 
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Hello,
Here is a simpler resto job just to keep it going. I've been very busy with work (that's a good thing) and family lately.
At the end of World War II, Russia was holding part of Germany which later became East Germany. They found out a Zeiss lens factory was in the area they controlled and quickly tapped into it.
Using the Carl Zeiss Biotar optical formula, the russians created the Helios 44. OK, they copied it and mass produced it. 
The Helios 44 was made in many different variations including M42 screw mount and Pentax K mount. It is 58mm focal length. Max aperture is f2, min f16. It is considered a very good lens and it is not hard to find. By the way, the 44 is just a model number and has nothing to do with the lens as far as I know. (58mm FL, 49mm filter size)
I got a 1972 copy from an ebay seller in Moscow for $9.
Not sure if all versions are, but mine is pre-set with 2 aperture rings. You set the desired f stop with one ring, and then use the other to open wide for easier focusing and composition. When ready, close the second ring and it will close to the pre selected aperture.
As you can see, my lens has seen far better says. The blades were also oily.
http://images51.fotki.com/v1546/photos/4/1233394/7430481/IMGP7770b-vi.jpg
So I took it apart....
http://images20.fotki.com/v527/photos/4/1233394/8496023/IMGP4294b-vi.jpg
Cleaned it and carefully put everything back together. There are many fine scratches but overall it looks usable.
http://images53.fotki.com/v443/photos/4/1233394/8496023/IMGP4305b-vi.jpg
http://images51.fotki.com/v1560/photos/4/1233394/8496023/IMGP4310b-vi.jpg
http://images52.fotki.com/v1564/photos/4/1233394/8496023/IMGP4307b-vi.jpg
So I did a test with my Spotmatic
http://images50.fotki.com/v1530/photos/4/1233394/7430481/IMGP7761b-vi.jpg
with good results
http://images52.fotki.com/v1554/photos/4/1233394/7801705/12750004dlcb-vi.jpg
http://images49.fotki.com/v855/photos/4/1233394/7801705/12750008dl-vi.jpg
and then I tried it in my (GASP!) [whisper] Digital SLR shhh
http://images51.fotki.com/v177/photos/4/1233394/8510634/DSCF0832b-vi.jpg
It was midnight, it was raining hard and I had nothing to photograph. So I grabbed the nearest object within reach and took a picture of it with the DSLR and this lens.
http://images110.fotki.com/v569/photos/4/1233394/8510634/IMGP4657b-vi.jpg
I think the lens is a keeper. Many claim it is a great portrait lens.
Please don't hate me for including offending digital cameras in this post
Thanks,
Ismael |
Msiegel
Tinkerer
Username: Msiegel
Post Number: 176
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 06:33 am: |
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I can only agree - it's a keeper.
I think Multicoating was introduced to the 44series with 44-3.
From the 44M-4 MC on the lens was changed from preset to automatic - no auto/manual switch. Filter diameter changed from 49mm to 52mm.
Latest version is the 44M-7.
The M in 44M is said to mean M42 as there are also 44K- lenses (K-mount)
There were also version in M-39 screw mount and other Russian mounts.
Helios 44 lenses were produced in different factories (KMZ, BeLomo....)also production times of the various types seem to overlap.
Using it on my Zenits makes me wish to have one stop more sometimes, especially with faster film.
It's a fine portrait lens with 35mm film and should be an even finer one with smaller light sensitive material.
Looks great on the Pentax D BTW |
Gyurmi
Tinkerer
Username: Gyurmi
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 10:36 pm: |
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Oh yes, this lens brings back some fond memories from my youth. I had a Zenit E and dreamed of a Japanese camera, thinking that they were heaps better. Now I know I should have looked upon my Zenit with more respect.
How did you go with the focusing? Is it still ok, not too stiff? |
Msiegel
Tinkerer
Username: Msiegel
Post Number: 183
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 03:27 am: |
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Focusing on my 44M-4s is fine - but they are quite young (late 1980ies). Also my 44-2 does very well. Focusing is not wobbly and not too stiff. Meaning that when holding it at the screwed on lens cap it dies not unscrew when turning the focusing ring from 0.5 to infinity and backwards. Your posting reminded me on using my M42 bodies more often again. |
Ismaelg
Tinkerer
Username: Ismaelg
Post Number: 55
Registered: 11-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 05:55 am: |
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Hello,
Despite its abused looks, mine works fine. The focus is smooth. Not stiff nor loose. There is no noticeable wobble and it feels solid.
Thanks,
Ismael |
Prasanna
Tinkerer
Username: Prasanna
Post Number: 56
Registered: 10-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 04:54 pm: |
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I have a Helios M44; its filter size is 52mm and not 49mm. |
Msiegel
Tinkerer
Username: Msiegel
Post Number: 184
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 11:04 am: |
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Filter thread size changed from 49 to 52 during production. All lenses named 44X-x (wher X is a letter and x is a number) have 52mm filter thread (e.g. my 44M-4 has 52mm, my 44-2 has 49mm filter thread). The 44-x lenses have 49mm filters. Even older models have also different sizes.
HAve a look here:
http://www.zenit.istra.ru/archive/lenses/helios-44.html
It's Russian so if you don't read it you will need an online translator. |
Flybye
Tinkerer
Username: Flybye
Post Number: 8
Registered: 01-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 01, 2010 - 07:16 am: |
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I found the exact same lens sitting in my father's cabinet!
Numbers on it:
Helios 44-2
2/58
N0043107
I really haven't used it due to it having multiple pits and scratches on it. But as some have suggested, perhaps the pictures will come out okay if I do not shot directly into the sun light. |
