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

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Früher hatte ich auch einen Helios 44-2, aber dieses alte Blendensystem finde ich zu umständlich, aber die Bildqualität war gut. The lens has longitudinal CA across the whole image that is reduced by stopping down, by f/4 it is at negligible levels and completely gone by f/5. This is a nice feature for video makers as it means they can precisely control the light levels as they shoot and change the aperture without any shaking during the filming and without “jumps” in the scene light level when going from one aperture setting to another.

The focus ring turns a massive 300 degrees and it runs extremely smooth being very well damped, it’s a pleasure to use. However, the lens’s preset aperture can be a drawback as it was a design flaw from the early ’80s and makes it difficult to determine the current aperture setting.On the other hand, the EF to FX adaptor I was using for Fujifilm is a budget, manual only adaptor that doesn’t have a design that reduces internal reflections as much. 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. Using an EF to FX Metabones and adding a lens hood would likely help avoid this lens flare from happening.

I love them, but the first time I got one I thought there was a manufacturer fault and the aperture numbers went the wrong way on the barrel. The problem with infinity focusing might be due to Zenit’s M39 mount having a flange distance of 45. 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 think it’s the different flange distance of M39 and M42 and the fact that I am using it with a M42 adapter.Even if this is your very first alternative lens away from your camera’s kit lens, it is one well worth investing in.

This is one of the rare Soviet lenses whose optical quality gets very close to the standard set by its forebears. Suffice it to say the Helios 44M (with no added digit after), is easily the least sharp of them all. I definitely felt that with the Helios 44-2 / HP5 shots with Danni that the shots were more crisp and sharp where they needed to be - obviously film and development/scanning is a factor here too folks so these are just my thoughts but I do feel like in this completely subjective and unscientific test I have to give this round to the 44-2! Later lenses had a different coating to earlier models, which has an impact on their propensity to flare.

The Jupiter 9 is my favorite short tele, and if I could only keep one lens for portraits this would be it. Although I currently only own three Helios lenses, I can already discern that the 44-4 lens offers sharper images and better contrast than the 44-2. Never quite pulled the trigger but if I got back into M4/3 I would certainly explore one or two of these lo-fi lenses. Majority of lenses were made in M42 thread mount but there are also versions for: M39 ( with SLR flange distance ); Zenit Start; K-Mount. Still its a great lens and its character really helps set it apart from the many other 50mm lenses for M42.

For this shot I was at about the minimum focus distance from my daughter in her car seat, focusing on her eyelids. I like how the front element of the lens is hidden quite deeply, making a semi-hood,’ which is good for protecting the lens from renegade lights. Reflections: Ok so the first thing that is worth stating is how amazing both Sophia and Danni are, they are two of my fave people to shoot with! 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 shoot on a nice basic DSLR (Canon EOS 4000D) but used them on a Sony A7s Mk1 and I prefer the effect of the crop sensor because it tames the bokeh balls a little as opposed to full frame.I used the Helios on a mirrorless Fuji X, and that was the main problem – my eyes and EVFs are not a good match, also when it comes to manual focusing.