This image nicely shows the swirly bokeh around the center:Īs you might imagine, this lens is built like a tank and will most likely still be there when everyone else on the planet has perished. In addition, due to this effect getting stronger toward the image borders, the bokeh balls look as if they were circling/swirling around the center. This results in the out of focus highlights (bokeh balls) to not be round at all. Being a blunt copy of the Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 it also comes with the same problem that is the so-called “ swirley bokeh” caused by strong vignetting inside the lens barrel. The Helios 44-series is famous for its optical flaws. The Helios 44-series originated in the USSR and the unusual specs (among “standard primes” for cameras using 135 film which usually featured a 50mm focal length with an f/1.4 or f/1.8 aperture.) quickly give away the fact that this lens is a copy of the famous Zeiss Biotar design which also sports 58mm and an f/2 pre-set aperture. (Of course I will try to get an actual Helios 44-2 just to make certain.) Now that this has been settled let’s move on to the lens itself, because I think that it doesn’t really make much of a difference.
#M39 HELIOS LENS SERIAL NUMBER#
Mine has the serial number N☇046333 and was assembled in the MMZ factory in Belomo. Therefore, I have one of the last Helios 44(-1) lenses that were produced sometime in 1970. The thing that gives it away as a first generation lens, though, is the fact that it’s an M39 version with adapter ring to M42. Looking at my lens a little closer I had to realize that there is no Helios 44-2 engraved on the front barrel, for it simply says Helios 44.
When you scroll down to the Helios 44-2 “zebra”, however, you will find a little note that says “ same barrel as MMZ version of 44(-1)“. Wait, why is the 2 marked in red? *sigh*įirst of, I just realized that I do NOT have the 44-2 version! It was sold on eBay as a Helios 44-2 and I never questioned this, because it looks exactly like the “zebra” on this collection of information about the Helios lenses here. I would like to start with some general information about the Helios 44 -2 “zebra” that I have.
I will, of course, share pictures with you, talk about its perks as well as the quirks I found so far and will keep this article updated when something new comes to mind. In this article I would like to talk about my experiences with the Helios 44(-1) 58mm f/2.
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