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.
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
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 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'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.
Great review! You really took great effort to make exactly the same shots with both lenses unlike many other videos here on RU-vid. 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!
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...
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
@@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.
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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!