I have a Helios 44 (the 44-3 version in my case). The swirly bokeh is indeed a bit of a tricky thing to achieve. First, of course is to shoot wide open and the best backgrounds are busy, high contrast, with small highlights (that's why many example shoot through foliage with the sun shining through). If you want to get the effect in video, you probably also need an ND filter. Overall a fantastic affordable lens! :)
1. The 44M has a less pronounced swirly bokeh than the 44-2. I actually prefer this since it lets me avoid the swirly bokeh when I don’t want it, and if I want it, I have to make the effort. 2. I have heard that the best way to get this swirly bokeh is to have the subject 5-6 feet from the camera and have your background be around 20+ feet for max swirly effect.
Hey, thanks for the comment! this is actually the 44, not the 44M which came out before the 44-2 or 44M, which makes it slightly more confusing... But I do have the 44-2 and 44 now and I'm going to give them both a try like you suggested!
If anybody’s shooting it adapted to APS-C, don’t forget to pick up a speedbooster for it so you can keep the swirly bokeh in the frame! I adapted a Helios 44M to a Fuji X-S20, and with a speedbooster it’s pure magic🫶
Nice video with good portraits, subscribed. I think the reason for not focusing to infinity is that you have used a L39 rangefinder adaptor. For those M39 Helios 44 lenses, you just need a M39 to M42 ring, see e-Bay and then your M42 to R adaptor. This should give you infinity focus. Then compare the 44 with the 44-2, pretty similar but cheap enough to have fun trying.
If you want to achieve the swirly bokeh, you need busy backgrounds. Like trees for example. Also it does not focus to infinity not because of the adapter, but because the sensor in your camera is too far from the lens. Idk what camera you have but on mirrorless cameras the sensor is much closer to the mount so focusing to infinity works. I hope this helps! :]
Interesting! I’m on a Canon R5, so it is a mirrorless camera, but I’m adapting the lens to EF mount, so maybe that’s why. Will report back with the new lens
@@gabrielbailey802sorry I am a Nikon shooter, EF mount is a dlsr mount? So you are using two adapters? If so, that would explain the gap between the lens and the sensor.
In general, focusing to infinity should work if the adapter is decent. The only thing I noticed with vintage lenses on RF/EF is that for some infinity is a few millimetres earlier. So you might have to stop focusing a tiny bit earlier to get there. I‘m using a 44-4 on the R6 with two Adapters, it works fine.
@@gabrielbailey802 M42 and M39 lens (not to confused with L39, which is a rangefinder mount, with similar flange distance to modern MILCs) can be adapted to any DSLR systems, except Nikon F, because that is the only system that have longer flange distance than M42/M39. I'm using this type of lens with any of my DSLRs: Canon 5D classic (EF mount - fullframe), Sony A100 (Minolta A mount, APS-C), and even with my Olympus E-520 and E-300 - the original SLR four thirds system :)
I use a 44-2 with an adapter to C/Y (other FF mount, for my yashica film camera) and then that on an adapter to EF-M mount for Canon Eos M. All works fine.
@@gabrielbailey802let me tell you, i got my helios 44/2 when i had my old 80D, and the lens worked pretty poorly, don't ask me why, instead both on my sony a7r iii and Lumix GX80 worked great. I blame your adapter, try invest in a better model!
I have a Helios 44 (the 44-3 version in my case). The swirly bokeh is indeed a bit of a tricky thing to achieve. First, of course is to shoot wide open and the best backgrounds are busy, high contrast, with small highlights (that's why many example shoot through foliage with the sun shining through). If you want to get the effect in video, you probably also need an ND filter. Overall a fantastic affordable lens! :)
Nice thanks for the tips, I appreciate it! Going to give this a try and see if I can get any different results
1. The 44M has a less pronounced swirly bokeh than the 44-2. I actually prefer this since it lets me avoid the swirly bokeh when I don’t want it, and if I want it, I have to make the effort.
2. I have heard that the best way to get this swirly bokeh is to have the subject 5-6 feet from the camera and have your background be around 20+ feet for max swirly effect.
Hey, thanks for the comment! this is actually the 44, not the 44M which came out before the 44-2 or 44M, which makes it slightly more confusing...
But I do have the 44-2 and 44 now and I'm going to give them both a try like you suggested!
If anybody’s shooting it adapted to APS-C, don’t forget to pick up a speedbooster for it so you can keep the swirly bokeh in the frame! I adapted a Helios 44M to a Fuji X-S20, and with a speedbooster it’s pure magic🫶
oooof, I bet that is pretty tasty! I am also dying to try it with an anamorphic adapter!
@@gabrielbailey802 if you do, i really hope it’ll make it’s way to a video😃
Nice video with good portraits, subscribed. I think the reason for not focusing to infinity is that you have used a L39 rangefinder adaptor. For those M39 Helios 44 lenses, you just need a M39 to M42 ring, see e-Bay and then your M42 to R adaptor. This should give you infinity focus. Then compare the 44 with the 44-2, pretty similar but cheap enough to have fun trying.
interesting! I'll have to buy one and see if it makes and difference, thanks for the tips and weighing in!
If you want to achieve the swirly bokeh, you need busy backgrounds. Like trees for example. Also it does not focus to infinity not because of the adapter, but because the sensor in your camera is too far from the lens. Idk what camera you have but on mirrorless cameras the sensor is much closer to the mount so focusing to infinity works. I hope this helps! :]
Interesting! I’m on a Canon R5, so it is a mirrorless camera, but I’m adapting the lens to EF mount, so maybe that’s why. Will report back with the new lens
@@gabrielbailey802sorry I am a Nikon shooter, EF mount is a dlsr mount? So you are using two adapters? If so, that would explain the gap between the lens and the sensor.
In general, focusing to infinity should work if the adapter is decent. The only thing I noticed with vintage lenses on RF/EF is that for some infinity is a few millimetres earlier. So you might have to stop focusing a tiny bit earlier to get there. I‘m using a 44-4 on the R6 with two Adapters, it works fine.
@@gabrielbailey802 M42 and M39 lens (not to confused with L39, which is a rangefinder mount, with similar flange distance to modern MILCs) can be adapted to any DSLR systems, except Nikon F, because that is the only system that have longer flange distance than M42/M39.
I'm using this type of lens with any of my DSLRs: Canon 5D classic (EF mount - fullframe), Sony A100 (Minolta A mount, APS-C), and even with my Olympus E-520 and E-300 - the original SLR four thirds system :)
I'm embarrassed that I still don't own one.
there's always time to right that wrong... ;)
I use a 44-2 with an adapter to C/Y (other FF mount, for my yashica film camera) and then that on an adapter to EF-M mount for Canon Eos M. All works fine.
oh damn, putting this on my eos-m cameras would be pretty cool, thanks for the inspiration!
@@gabrielbailey802 No problem! Also btw, Risespray 25mm f1.8 exists *wink wink*
What camera are you using?
Video is shot on a Sony ZV-E1, using the Helios on a Canon R5 though!
@@gabrielbailey802let me tell you, i got my helios 44/2 when i had my old 80D, and the lens worked pretty poorly, don't ask me why, instead both on my sony a7r iii and Lumix GX80 worked great. I blame your adapter, try invest in a better model!
Hi, maybe you don't have swirly bokeh because of electronic front curtain shutter?
interesting, I'll have to do some research, haven't seen anything about this!
LOL - this video is both embarrassing and laughable on so many levels.
Glad you enjoyed it!