Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.0 M42

[Quasimodo]

Images shot with:
5D Mark II
Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.0 M42 with ring adapter
Ive Lotus Film picture style

Model: Danheza

Model: Danheza

Model: Shanice

Neat marketing! I´ve just purchased your software. Looking forward to use it. Just have to run to the shop tomorrow to buy a external cardreader to upgrade to the latest firmware so I can install it

There was (a year ago) a photographer in here that posted some beautiful pictures of some Japanese female archers that had this style. I asked then how to acheive this style, but never got any answer. Now the solution is here, and sooooo looking forward to it

 

[sama]

[/quote]

44M is completely different in term of construction compare to the 44-2 58/2. I have disassembled both of them.
44M is difficult to reassemble plus it works only on crop sensor dslr but doesn't fit 5D3 with an adapter - mirror problem, I will use the helicoid to DIY a tilt shift lensbaby clone. I found this DIY on the Youtube.

[/quote]

some test shots of my new DIY Heliosbaby..... can't find the rubber tube yet, will look for one after the ice storm.

 

[Quasimodo]

I have bought and installed in camera the film look style of Ive Lotus. I am not anywhere near to be able to reproduce the effect I see on the start of this thread (lens irrespective). Is there any settings I should use on the camera when using this setting, and is there special dialing on the flash? (ISO, WB.....)

 

[ajperk]

Here's a wide open Helios 44-4 shot. I find it has a bit less micro contrast than the 44-2, but also functions perfectly on a full frame body (no mirror hang).


Out with the Old; In with the New by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Hello Dustin,

I also have a 6D and am interested in the 44-4 version. What adapter to you use?

Thanks!
Andrew

 

[Andy_Hodapp]

I got a 44M-4 about a month ago along with a fotodiox adapter for my 5d mkii. It does have mirror hang so I put a very thing rubber band in between the adapter and the lens. The lens now doesn't focus to infinity but it does allow for a little bit closer focusing distance and stopped all the way down you can get everything in focus. Love the lens so far but haven't gotten to use it to much yet, but I picked mine up for $10 with a body at a thrift shop, friend ended up wanting the body and gave me more then what I payed for the whole thing, so far I have made a profit on this lens without even selling a print! Below are some fun shots with the cats eye bokeh.

Beautiful lens flare

So sharp you can see my reflection in her eye!

Close focus

Even more bokeh

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's a wide open Helios 44-4 shot. I find it has a bit less micro contrast than the 44-2, but also functions perfectly on a full frame body (no mirror hang).


Out with the Old; In with the New by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Hello Dustin,

I also have a 6D and am interested in the 44-4 version. What adapter to you use?

Thanks!
Andrew

I just use a cheap AF Confirm adapter off Ebay. I paid no more than $10-12

 

[CarlTN]

Nice, I like the bottom shot the best...

I got a 44M-4 about a month ago along with a fotodiox adapter for my 5d mkii. It does have mirror hang so I put a very thing rubber band in between the adapter and the lens. The lens now doesn't focus to infinity but it does allow for a little bit closer focusing distance and stopped all the way down you can get everything in focus. Love the lens so far but haven't gotten to use it to much yet, but I picked mine up for $10 with a body at a thrift shop, friend ended up wanting the body and gave me more then what I payed for the whole thing, so far I have made a profit on this lens without even selling a print! Below are some fun shots with the cats eye bokeh.

Beautiful lens flare

So sharp you can see my reflection in her eye!

Close focus

Even more bokeh

 

[dgatwood]

I got a 44M-4 about a month ago along with a fotodiox adapter for my 5d mkii. It does have mirror hang so I put a very thing rubber band in between the adapter and the lens.

The mirror hang depends on the size of the mirror, which varies a bit from model to model. Apparently, the 44M-4 hangs right at infinity on some of the 5D series, but it doesn't hang on the 6D as far as I can tell.

The 44M, by contrast, hangs noticeably at or near infinity on the 6D, so I always make sure to use live view mode if I want to shoot near infinity (and make sure to focus away from infinity before I leave live view mode or let the camera doze).

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I got a 44M-4 about a month ago along with a fotodiox adapter for my 5d mkii. It does have mirror hang so I put a very thing rubber band in between the adapter and the lens. The lens now doesn't focus to infinity but it does allow for a little bit closer focusing distance and stopped all the way down you can get everything in focus. Love the lens so far but haven't gotten to use it to much yet, but I picked mine up for $10 with a body at a thrift shop, friend ended up wanting the body and gave me more then what I payed for the whole thing, so far I have made a profit on this lens without even selling a print! Below are some fun shots with the cats eye bokeh.

Really fab shots. Great examples of the unique character of the lens. It is a special one to me!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's a new Helios shot from this week:

Old Growth, New Growth by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[Ew]

In searching for the "most compatible" model for a 5D3, I've discovered the following reference table, which has many M42 mount lenses and their compatibility with full frame bodies.

http://www.panoramaplanet.de/comp/#Zenit

I'm still making sense of it.. but, seems that there are multiple variants in the 44M-2, 44M-4, 44M-6 - and not all are created equal.

Can anyone with these lenses clarify exactly which version you have?

Thank you!

 

[Snodge]

I have a 44-2 and it works fine on my 5d3...

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have a Helios 44M-6 and it works well on my 6D. But pay attention to the chart ... the items in green may not clear the reflex mirror.

BTW, Dustin Abbott has this to say about M42 lenses here: http://dustinabbott.net/2013/02/the-new-canon-eos-6d-and-classic-m42-lens/

 

[adhocphotographer]

Great thread... did not know about this lens. Just picked one up for 12 pounds.... Just waiting for the adapter ring and I'll see how i do with it!

Do you know of any other great M42 lenses that would be good on a 5D mKIII?

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Great thread... did not know about this lens. Just picked one up for 12 pounds.... Just waiting for the adapter ring and I'll see how i do with it!

Do you know of any other great M42 lenses that would be good on a 5D mKIII?

Just depends on what you're looking for.

For me, getting M42 lenses was more about getting character lenses than finding affordable alternatives as I have all my FLs covered with current lenses.

If you are in the same boat, take a look at the Helios 40-2 (85/1.5) as well. It has the most pronounced swirling bokeh/unique look I have seen yet from any of my M42 lenses. There is also the Zenit 50/1.7 with the square bokeh (optical formula believed to be copied from Leica) which is my second favorite.

As far as the Helios 44 models, I have the 44-2, 44m-4, 44m-7, and the 77m-4. While the latter two are newer, the swirly bokeh is definitely still present and the resolution is noticeably higher. All four have been used with both a 5D3 and 6D without issue.

The multi-coated Takumars are also very nice. Although I don't find that they offer anything unique over my modern lenses which is why they get mounted the least.

 

[adhocphotographer]

Great thread... did not know about this lens. Just picked one up for 12 pounds.... Just waiting for the adapter ring and I'll see how i do with it!

Do you know of any other great M42 lenses that would be good on a 5D mKIII?

Just depends on what you're looking for.

For me, getting M42 lenses was more about getting character lenses than finding affordable alternatives as I have all my FLs covered with current lenses.

If you are in the same boat, take a look at the Helios 40-2 (85/1.5) as well. It has the most pronounced swirling bokeh/unique look I have seen yet from any of my M42 lenses. There is also the Zenit 50/1.7 with the square bokeh (optical formula believed to be copied from Leica) which is my second favorite.

As far as the Helios 44 models, I have the 44-2, 44m-4, 44m-7, and the 77m-4. While the latter two are newer, the swirly bokeh is definitely still present and the resolution is noticeably higher. All four have been used with both a 5D3 and 6D without issue.

The multi-coated Takumars are also very nice. Although I don't find that they offer anything unique over my modern lenses which is why they get mounted the least.

Thanks... some great info there! I have most covered with my EF lenses, but i find the character of these old lenses are great!