Helios lenses for X series

[Felnus]

I love shooting with the Helios 44, even when not going for "the swirl", it is a great lens in my opinion.

 

DSCF7545 by felnus2, on Flickr

 

DSCF5786 by felnus2, on Flickr

[lleo]

For sure

[tsuyoi07028]

This lens is simply amazing. Moreover, by applying lens turbo ii from zhongyi optics (a rip off from metabones's speed booster which more pricey), the results are amazing!

I bought the 44-2 version which gives more swirly bokeh.

 

 

[Enzio]

Any reviews or photos using this lenses for X series ?

 

i have the Helios 44-M-7 (58/2.0) ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/101630104@N02/albums/72157643421823703 ...

[Casa]

i have the Helios 44-M-7 (58/2.0) ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/101630104@N02/albums/72157643421823703 ...

 

 

.. in which you have proven what I would've replied to the older posts otherwise - you can get the swirly bokeh with all of them, even the latest ones. I own quite a few different Helioses, but my go-to is actually the M-7 too, for everyday shooting it can be very sharp and contrasty if necessary but also gives you the nice swirl effect wide open. Maybe it's not so apparent on regular adapters, but with a Focal reducer I can't complain. 

[lleo]

Here is a set of pictures taken with my 44M-4 for demonstration purposes. All at f.2 to show the swirl. I don't remember if somebody asked in the past, however it depends on the distances between the shooter, the subject and the background. Though the most various is the background, the higher is the swirl effect. The pictures have not been touched in any way on computer, just two or three converted in b&w with no modifications.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/144829918@N02/albums/72157675138990611

[Weiron Photo]

I have the 44K-4 and I confirm they are all swirly under the right conditions. Even without the speedbooster.

It is actually one of my favourite lenses ever!

 

A few examples.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=51035710707%40N01&view_all=1&text=Helios

[MSW]

Yes, as opined by several posters buy the heios for its faults not its virtues.   If resolution is the issue I'm pretty sure even an XC 16-50mm would win out!  I tend to use my Helios with the aperture wide open as I'm usually looking for the softness.

 

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[Mr.Pushan]

Sembalun by Putu S Purnawan, on Flickr

 

this shot using fujifilm xa1

[milandro]

Quite by chance I’ve reacquired a Helios 44-B, this one has some helicoid problems but it works just fine on my helicoidal FX adapter (M42) , the price of these things has shot up since they’ve been rediscovered but you can’t beat them even now that some people ask good money for these old lenses.

 

 

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[r_kt]

another +1 vote for buying a few copies from different sources.  I have three and ended up with one that worked out of the box well.  the rest need work, like dried up helicoid.  the 44-2 is easy to take apart and clean out the elements.  

 

The "best" one is a clean, working copy of any version, really. 

 

I gaffer taped the aperture ring to f2 and shoot electronic shutter in daylight. i dont much shoot it outside of f2.

 

from my testing of swirl conditions (first pic)

https://flic.kr/p/RMobao

Edited February 22, 2017 by r_kt