Showcase Helios 44M - 58mm f/2

I also own this lens, but awaiting arrival of the M42 adapter I bought in HongKong

C U,
Rafael

 

Will you stop raving about that lens, please, I am getting seller's remorse  

Stefan

 

I have two versions of this lens 44M-2 and 44M-4 (i believe there was total 7 versions released, with some minor modifications between each other, first version - 44M - have no coating). I think its bokeh is perfect for the nature related pictures - especially when there are other plants or grass in the background.

Samples:

 

This is in my PAD, but guess I should post it here too ... I don;t like using this lens because of it's "Battleship Potemkin" look and construction, plus the focusing is unmanageably stiff on my example (but I got it for nothing) ... this was done for some comparison shots between the KH 50/1.7, KH 57/1.4 and the Helios, and I wasn't so bothered about composition ... I think the thing I notice is the difference in contrast between the lenses (even without PP) .. the sharpness and contrast is remarkable in a lens that almost looks as if it is made from window-glass!


E-P2, Helios-44M 58mm f/2, 1/30s, f/5.6?, ISO200

 

Went out for a walk with this lens on the E-PL1 yesterday.
This is quite easy to focus, and when you nail it it's really sharp.

Slightly tweaked ooc jpegs using ienhance set to low.
Colours, contrast and bokeh are really nice. Most of my shots were keepers.
Sharpness is exceptional on the originals - right out to the corners. It's even good wide open at f2.

slight crop only

PB271110 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr

Sooc jpeg - resized only...

PB271122 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr


slight crop

PB271113 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr

It started to rain so we pulled up next to a bush for shelter...

PB271132 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr

 

Two Shots with the 44-M 4

The reproductive quality of images on this site (degraded since these shots were first placed in my gallery here) does not do this lens justice.

 

just starting to try

I just started the last couple days testing some of my legacy lenses... so no really great shots, just maybe some "indicative" ones

I have a Helios 44-M (no other number)

The colours may be a bit off on some of these shots because I had accidentally left the white balance on "fluorescent" from some inside shots the night before and only realised after a couple hours (duh!)... I tried to do a quick correction in Aperture3

one slightly annoying thing about this lens and adapter is that the lens seems to focus "beyond infinity" (OK still better than not REACHING infinity, but...)

so, some shots:

at f5.6

cultural snapshot by Asher Berry, on Flickr

at f2.0

white spikes by Asher Berry, on Flickr

at f5.6

vines by Asher Berry, on Flickr

at f2.0

benches by Asher Berry, on Flickr

at f2.0

self portrait mirror and grate by Asher Berry, on Flickr

 

A couple of mf mine:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slorenzi/5861610447/" title="Thorns por sLorenzi, no Flickr"> "640" height="429" alt="Thorns"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slorenzi/5886486844/" title="Blue Cliche por sLorenzi, no Flickr"> "640" height="479" alt="Blue Cliche"></a>

 

really like the wee blue and white flowers
 

 

Thanks  

I don't know, but I see my Helios and my Industar-69 saturating blues a little more than others lens. Do you think it's true or it's just me?

 

Helios 44M on a Panasonic G2

I've enjoyed shooting with the Helios 44. I have the M and two 44-2's.

 

Try again.

I guess the pictures didn't make it. I'll try again. I have enjoyed shooting with the Helios 44's I have both the 44M and the 44-2. Here are several pictures using the M.

 

I am not sure yet on the colours, since I botched the white balance settings that day (I had set at fluorescent the night before when auto was making low light indoor pics too orangey)

I do wish this one did not focus past infinity. I also have a 44m-4 or 44m-5, I forget which right now, that I will try later; I had tried this one first for it's more-blades, closer to circular iris diaphragm; the other has a hexagonal opening

my sentences seem a bit disjointed.... better finish coffee ;-)

 

Very nice shots guys! I've got this lens too, but sometimes I found its bokeh a little bit "nervous".... Isn't it?

 

@JCD: LOL! I also had some "nervous bokeh" shots that did not get saved... have seen others online, people calling it "swirling bokeh" and such

 

Most of the time, I like it's bokeh, but I agree that's it's not a lens for all kinds of photos. When I want a more subtle and soft bokeh, I need to choose another lens, like the Jupiter 8...

 

With "nervous bokeh" I mean something like astigmatism (look at the edges of the leaves in the background)

View attachment 172870
bokeh? di redbaron974, su Flickr