Personally I've settled on Helios 44M as it's a bit like "the best of both worlds". I love how smooth the focusing is with 44-2 but the preset aperture is too inconvenient for my use. At least with my 44M I still have 8 aperture blades but the automatic mode is a big upgrade as I use it with old film cameras.
Think though it's close I have both. think helios 44m-4 has better contrast and sharper... but prob in field shots you prob won't notice....my 44-2 permanently converted to canon EF. fit... 44m is M42. fit...
Thank you so much for this video comparison too, I feared I had to necessarily go for previous models to my 44-4(k) to reach that "swirly" bokeh effect
I had a good copy of a BeLOMO 44-2 with no backlash on the mount, but after a couple days of using it, it had developed a fair amount of backlash, which is super annoying. So if you have neither lens, I would recommend just going with a 44M-series unless the difference between 6 and 8 blades is a deal-breaker. And if that's the case, you can get even more blades with an original 44. They're all so cheap compared to modern lenses, I don't mind having a few different versions kicking around. A lot of forum posts and things claim that the later 44M models don't have as much swirly bokeh as the original 44 and 44-2, but I don't think there's any evidence of that (they look identical in this side-by-side, and they have the same optical formula). I have a 44M-7, which is supposedly the sharpest, and it has quite swirly bokeh.
Another great comparison.🙏 I have a request for your next comparison. Please compare Early silver KMZ Helios-44 2/58 RED P - 13 blades that has max 22 aperture value to non Red P version Helios 44 13 blades max aperture value 16. And if you would like to make it even more interesting throw a third lens in the mix. The silver 12 Blade Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 Red T. You would be the first in the world to compare all three. I'm dying to see which one will come out on top. Make it happen! You the man!👍🏼
I'm using the 44M-4. Few things that drove me nuts with 44-2: 1. The aperture setting. I'd be fine even with the stepless apeture system, but when the f-stop number are reversed like that... No, no thank you. 2. Very thin and tight aperture ring, difficult to operate. I have small hands, i'd imagine even more difficult with bigger hands. 3. The thinner mount side, doesn't look / feel good for with a generic adapter. 4. The general wobbliness. Still, optically it's slightly better and the bokeh (big plus due to more blades) is better. It's also cheap, so why not? But i'll be using the 44M-4 for a good while to come. If i come across a more rarer earlier Helios 44, then that's another story.
Actually the loose aperture is just the aperture preview so you can have it wide open for the viewfinder and close it back before shooting. The real aperture ring is on the very front, there are tiny grips on it. It's really hard to spin and has lots of resistance, but it does have a step aperture, which follows the number scheme properly. But for all intents and purposes (since it's so hard to use), the loose aperture can be quite the downside or benefit, depending on your purposes.
to me and to my eye these are almost identical. No matter what. focus, sharpnes, details, only thing I could think of 44-2 front lens is much more deep into the body so it possibly flares a tiny bit less in some situations. that's it.
Yes, i know. First of all, there shouldn't be a side switch. Second, please pay attention to the font, how front ring markings are made. In genuine one letters are bigger. Please wait a bit, i will record a video explaining details, it seems that this subject may interest many people
Great review! You really took great effort to make exactly the same shots with both lenses unlike many other videos here on TH-cam. Therefore it´s much easier to compare the two 44 versions, because there are differences. Small but noticeable. Better sharpness of the 44-4 is obvious but also the higher brightness of the newer model is visable. Maybe because of less blades? Or is it a question of age, in terms of condition of the lenses? Or quality is not 100 % persistent throughout each line of 44-2/44-4. The problem with the woobly mount of your 44-2 model could be also different on other lenses of the same model .... what do you think. Thanks for the time you investet to present this great shoot out!
@@RetroFotoHouse Thank you for your response. What do you consider early? The Helios 44 was produced from 1958 to 1999 in various models. The early ones were Helios 44 and 44-2? Are we talking about form 1958 to 1970 or are we talking about early production of a series like 44, 44-2, 44M, etc.
Hello! I need your help please :) I got a Zenit 12 with a 44m-4 but the zoom ring acts weird When I turn it too fast, it jumps, it's like it gets lose for a short range. What can I do about it? Thanks!
I preferred the 44-2. I thought the bokeh was slightly better and it had more pleasant contrast.
Personally I've settled on Helios 44M as it's a bit like "the best of both worlds". I love how smooth the focusing is with 44-2 but the preset aperture is too inconvenient for my use. At least with my 44M I still have 8 aperture blades but the automatic mode is a big upgrade as I use it with old film cameras.
I use 44M with zenit EM and Canon eos 6D with adapter is amazing
How do you attach filters to yours?? Struggling to shoot video wide open and it has no thread on mine. Please help
Think though it's close I have both. think helios 44m-4 has better contrast and sharper... but prob in field shots you prob won't notice....my 44-2 permanently converted to canon EF. fit...
44m is M42. fit...
I actually prefer the bokeh of 44m-4
me too!
Thank you for this video. I'm happy with my 44m-4
Thank you so much for this video comparison too, I feared I had to necessarily go for previous models to my 44-4(k) to reach that "swirly" bokeh effect
I had a good copy of a BeLOMO 44-2 with no backlash on the mount, but after a couple days of using it, it had developed a fair amount of backlash, which is super annoying. So if you have neither lens, I would recommend just going with a 44M-series unless the difference between 6 and 8 blades is a deal-breaker. And if that's the case, you can get even more blades with an original 44. They're all so cheap compared to modern lenses, I don't mind having a few different versions kicking around.
A lot of forum posts and things claim that the later 44M models don't have as much swirly bokeh as the original 44 and 44-2, but I don't think there's any evidence of that (they look identical in this side-by-side, and they have the same optical formula). I have a 44M-7, which is supposedly the sharpest, and it has quite swirly bokeh.
I have the same lense.... I love it. I even used it for macro. With tubes of course
Another great comparison.🙏 I have a request for your next comparison. Please compare Early silver KMZ Helios-44 2/58 RED P - 13 blades that has max 22 aperture value to non Red P version Helios 44 13 blades max aperture value 16. And if you would like to make it even more interesting throw a third lens in the mix. The silver 12 Blade Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 Red T. You would be the first in the world to compare all three. I'm dying to see which one will come out on top. Make it happen! You the man!👍🏼
I can't hear anything, it's too quiet mate.
Bro most of the devices have a neat feature these days, called volume button! Boom! You are welcome!
@@pauka13 it requires me to turn up the volume so much my ears will die if anything else plays, so no, not an option
@@pauka13 Damn! A rough one! Lol
I have a Helios 44-7 , Last edition .
Do you like it? I'm tossing up between the 2 and the 7...
Yea... I got my 44-4 from you years back, give me an offer, I’m planning to get one more. 😅🤭
Best bokeh of series is 44-2, sharpness is 44-m7
Thanks for the comparison! I was just looking for this to decide wich of the 2 to buy!
I'm using the 44M-4.
Few things that drove me nuts with 44-2:
1. The aperture setting. I'd be fine even with the stepless apeture system, but when the f-stop number are reversed like that... No, no thank you.
2. Very thin and tight aperture ring, difficult to operate. I have small hands, i'd imagine even more difficult with bigger hands.
3. The thinner mount side, doesn't look / feel good for with a generic adapter.
4. The general wobbliness.
Still, optically it's slightly better and the bokeh (big plus due to more blades) is better. It's also cheap, so why not? But i'll be using the 44M-4 for a good while to come. If i come across a more rarer earlier Helios 44, then that's another story.
Actually the loose aperture is just the aperture preview so you can have it wide open for the viewfinder and close it back before shooting. The real aperture ring is on the very front, there are tiny grips on it. It's really hard to spin and has lots of resistance, but it does have a step aperture, which follows the number scheme properly. But for all intents and purposes (since it's so hard to use), the loose aperture can be quite the downside or benefit, depending on your purposes.
to me and to my eye these are almost identical. No matter what. focus, sharpnes, details, only thing I could think of 44-2 front lens is much more deep into the body so it possibly flares a tiny bit less in some situations. that's it.
44m-4 has overall much better build mechanical parts, therefore fits better filmmakers needs
Thanks for all your work. Hope you are surviving the mess.
Great video thank you! I’m looking to buy a 44m-7, but there seem to be a lot of fake ones. Do you know how to tell if a 44m-7 is real?
Yes, i know. First of all, there shouldn't be a side switch. Second, please pay attention to the font, how front ring markings are made. In genuine one letters are bigger. Please wait a bit, i will record a video explaining details, it seems that this subject may interest many people
Retro Foto House oh yes that would be fantastic, thank you!
Great review! You really took great effort to make exactly the same shots with both lenses unlike many other videos here on TH-cam. Therefore it´s much easier to compare the two 44 versions, because there are differences. Small but noticeable. Better sharpness of the 44-4 is obvious but also the higher brightness of the newer model is visable. Maybe because of less blades? Or is it a question of age, in terms of condition of the lenses? Or quality is not 100 % persistent throughout each line of 44-2/44-4.
The problem with the woobly mount of your 44-2 model could be also different on other lenses of the same model .... what do you think.
Thanks for the time you investet to present this great shoot out!
Hi! Generally, helios 44m-4 shows better builld and optical quality, but helios 44-2 is already a brand , you see))
thanks for the really detailed review! I can't decide between the 2, maybe I get them both as part of a collection too! 😂😂😂
yes
helios 44-2 for video
44m!4 for photo
44-2 all the way
Volume a bit low on this. Thanks for all your work.
Amazing this lens, I have tje helios 44M 58mm f2
i love how you handle a 10€ lens with glove
this is respect.
What do you think of the lens for street photography vs let's say cannon 59 mm 1.8
i'm not familiar with canon 59mm, but among russian ones, try Jupiter-8 50mm f2. and i think you'll love the output
Which Helios 44 lens is the best of all (for video and stills)?
Excellent review. Thank you so much for your time, knowledge and skill. Stay safe.....!
great review! you gotta love the Helios 44 series!
Excellent review!
merci
great review thx! but how about comparing 44-2 Valdai vs 44-4m KMZ? worth to try 44-4 KMZ over 44-2?
Do you think the sharpness differences have anything to do with the different models or do they come down to sample variation?
It is difficult to say for sure. From my experience, earlier made lens are of better overall build and therefore optical quality
@@RetroFotoHouse Thank you for your response. What do you consider early? The Helios 44 was produced from 1958 to 1999 in various models. The early ones were Helios 44 and 44-2? Are we talking about form 1958 to 1970 or are we talking about early production of a series like 44, 44-2, 44M, etc.
фоткать научился, а звук при монтаже делать нормальной громкости не научился?
Hi! I cant get infinity focus with the Helios 44-2 in mu sony a7siii… any adapter that can or is not posiible? Thanks!!
get a high quality adapter and it will focus
Why did you compare using a (type 8 44-2) always thought that was worse quality of the 44-2 models ?
not type 8 but type 7. Because it is most common helios 44-2 lens variant
Hello!
I need your help please :)
I got a Zenit 12 with a 44m-4 but the zoom ring acts weird
When I turn it too fast, it jumps, it's like it gets lose for a short range.
What can I do about it?
Thanks!
there is a problem with fixing a external focus ring to internal one, you need to tighten the screws i guess
i dont hear
Thank you 🙏
Very helpful review, thankyou.
I just got a 44-3😌
Excellent video. Can I fit 44 m-4 on Nikon dx?
with m42-nikon F adapter with correctiong glass
or in my store already perfectly adjusted without correcting glass
www.ebay.com/itm/203473186266
thanks
Excellent review thanks a lot
Between the KMZ Helios 44-2, 44m-4 and the 77m-4, which would be the best for film making? Thanks in advance:)
i would pick up a good quality belomo made helios 44-2(type 5 or type 6)
@@RetroFotoHouse Thanks a lot:)
@@RetroFotoHouse I just checked, Type 5 is thge export version Auto Cosmogon and Type 6 is made by KMZ
Great work! Keep going!
Curious. Are you still selling on your eBay store?
yes, please visit it from 1 september, actually i'm in summer holidays
Cool. I have got the 44 m, and I noticed an hard point on the focus ring between 0,55 m and 0,90 m, how can I fix that?
you need to re-lubricate it, i have a tutorial how to do that
@@RetroFotoHouse yes indeed, I saw the video, but it is not my skill set, can you please do that if I send you my lens?
Great video! which lens is the best to record video?
i prefer 44m-4 over 44-2
this is a portrait lens , i haven t seen one portrait comparison.....maybe next time you will do it. in rest very well . don t stop.
58mm is not a portrait lens. Portait focal starts from 80mm
@@RetroFotoHouse really?on a 35 mm full frame?.....
For portraits, prick up a Helios 40-2. Maybe spend some time at the gym before picking it up...
@@RetroFotoHouse crop sensor??