YOU NEED ONE! - BEST helios-44m-4-58mm-f2 - Review

In this review we cover.

• ·         Specifications
• ·         Quality
• ·         Longevity
• ·         Usage
• ·         Battery times
• ·        Ease of use
• ·         Connectivity
• ·        Availability and accessories
• ·         Cost Now

Helios-44 is a series of standard lenses for SLR cameras, produced in Soviet Union by KMZ, MMZ, Jupiter from 1958 till 1992 (2001?) and it is considered to be one of most mass produced lenses in the world. Based on the lens Biotar 2 / 58 , at the beginning was called "БТК" - "БиоТар Красногорский" (BioTar Krasnogorski). A fast 6-element anastigmat, it was available in both single-coated and multi-coated versions.


The name of Helios lenses are usually writen as Helios-44X-N, where X -is the index of lens mount (M for m42 thread, K for Pentax K bayonet, Д for Zenit-D bayonet) and N is a optical resolution index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (the higher number the higher is an optical resolution of lens).
(Information taken from http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Helios-44)Click for more details.

Specs 

·         Focal Distance: 58mm (may vary in real)

·         Optical Formula: 6 elements in 4 groups.

·         Aperture Range: f/2 - f/16. (f/22 later)

·         Angle of View: 40°28

·         Geometric Vignetting: 58%

·         Minimum Focusing Distance

Helios-44 (Start) - 0.7 m

Helios-44 - 0.5 m

Helios-44-N - 0.5 m

MC Helios-44X-N - 0.5 m

·         Number of Aperture Blades

Helios-44 (Start) - 13

Helios-44 -8

Helios-44-N -8

MC Helios-44X-N - 6

MC Helios-44M-7 - 6

·         Filter Diameter:

Helios-44 (Start) - M40.5x0.5

Helios-44 - M49.5x0.75

Helios-44-2 - M49x0.75

Helios-44-7 - M49x0.75

MC Helios-44X-N - M52x0.75

MC Helios-44M-7 -M52x0,75

·         Lens Mount:

Helios-44 (Start) - Zenit Start Bayonet

Helios-44 - m39 SLR thread

Helios-44-2 - m42 thread

Helios-44-7 - m42 thread (Originaly designed for the cameras line of ZENIT-7, and because of the special aperture drive system can be installed only on these cameras via an adapter - thread-bayonet ring).

MC Helios-44X-N - m42 thread

MC Helios-44M-7 - m42 thread

MC Helios-44K-4 - Pentax K Bayonet

·         Optical Resolution (center/edge)

Helios-44 - 35/14 lines/mm

Helios-44-2 - 38/20 lines/mm

Helios-44-7 - 36/17 lines/mm

Helios-44M-4 - 38/19 lines/mm

MC Helios-44K-4 - 42/21 lines/mm

MC Helios-44M-4 - 41/20 lines/mm

MC Helios-44M-5 - 41/20 lines/mm

MC Helios-44M-6 - 45/25 lines/mm

MC Helios-44M-7 - 50/30 lines/mm

·         Transmittance

Helios-44 - 0.81

Helios-44-2 - 0.82

Helios-44-7 - 0.80

Helios-44M-4 - 0.80

MC Helios-44K-4 - 0.85

MC Helios-44M-4 - 0.85

MC Helios-44M-5 - 0.85

MC Helios-44M-6 - 0.90

MC Helios-44M-7 - 0.90

·         Color Formula

Helios-44 - 10-0-1.5

Helios-44-2 - 10-0-1.5

Helios-44-7- 10-0-1.5

Helios-44M-4 - 10-0-1.5

MC Helios-44K-4 - 11-0-0

MC Helios-44M-4 - 11-0-0

MC Helios-44M-5 - 11-0-0

MC Helios-44M-6 - 11-0-0

MC Helios-44M-7 - 11-0-0

·         Weight

Helios-44 (Start) - 0.23 kg

Helios-44 - 0.23 kg

Helios-44-2 - 0.23 kg

Helios-44-7 - 0.35 kg

Helios-44M-4 - 0.3 kg

MC Helios-44K-4 - 0.3 kg

MC Helios-44M-4 - 0.3 kg

MC Helios-44M-5 - 0.27 kg

MC Helios-44M-6 - 0.27 kg

MC Helios-44M-7 - 0.27 kg

Full review can also be seen HERE

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