Helios 44 58mm f2 lens review
The Helios 44 58mm f2 is one of the most mass produced lenses ever. Although the production has since stopped, there are still millions of them around making it a very affordable alternative. The russian Hellios 44 is based on the lens formula of the Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm (I would not say it is a copy or clone of the Biotar, as the Helios looks and feels less well made and the pictures tend to be of lower quality). Although its naming might suggest otherwise, the Helios 44 is not a 44mm lens but a 58mm f2 lens.
It was manufactured with M42 mount, Pentax K mount and even M39 thread mount for the Zenit 3-M and the Revueflex M39 SLR cameras. Most lenses were manufactured in M42 to be used on Zenit cameras.
PROs:
- compact
- interesting bokeh
- inexpensive
- easy to find
As all lenses that are based on the Biotar formula, the Helios 44 has an interesting twirling bokeh. The lens itself is also reasonably sharp when stopped down. The focal length of 58mm is a bit unusual but comes in handy for portraiture shots. The Helios 44 is also very much appreciated among artistic photographers who relish its bokeh and color rendition. Lomographers will love this lens. If you want an unexpensive lens to experiment I would recommend getting this lens. The Helios is great if you want to try experiments and more artistic things.
CONs:
- flare prone
- needs to be stopped down
- a bit heavy for its’ size
- chromatic aberration
The Helios-44 is a good lens in its price range without ever excelling. The Helios has serious issues under sunny condition. It can produce “glowing” images. If you want to obtain super sharp images you really need to stop the lens down quiet a bit. I would recommend using a lens shade to minimize flare.
Helios 44 58mm f/2 videos
Helios 44 versions
Helios 44-2
The Helios 44-2 was manufactured in the USSR. It is available in an all black finish.
The Helios-2 is lighter and smaller than the Helios 44-M. The minimum focusing distance is also shorter. The Helios 44-2 does not have a manual / automatic aperture switch.
- Lens Elements: 6
- Aperture blades: 8
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 50cm
- Weight: 221gr
- Aperture settings: f2 – f2.8 – f4 – f5.6- f8 – f11 – f16
- Filter Mount: M49.5×0.75
Helios-44M
The Helios-44M feels a bit more solidly build than the 44-2. It also weights more. Optically both lenses are on par. The Helios-M has a different type of aperture blades as these are bent upwards. this results in a less circular aperture, which in turn slightly degrades the bokeh. Contrary to the Helios-44-2, this version has a manual / automatic aperture switch.
- Lens Elements: 6
- Aperture blades: 8
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 55cm
- Weight: 296gr
- Aperture settings: f2 – f2.8 – f4 – f5.6- f8 – f16
- Filter Mount: M49.5×0.75
Helios 44-3
The Helios 44-3 is the latest installment of the Helios 44 lens variation. It is also preferred version of many users as it delivers more stable results and has a slightly shorter minimum focusing distance of 50cm.
