One should also check the year of production. Genuine 44M-7 will have the production number that starts with 91 or a bigger number, referencing the year of production.
Great! Thx! I also noticed another difference: On 44m-7 the barrel around the rear optics has no grooves (only the fitting ring for the rear optics has). On for example 44m both barrel AND fitting ring has grooves.
You say they started production in 1991 and I have seen lenses with serial numbers starting with 96 so that would mean 5 years of production, not just 1 or 2 years. Also, the lenses from 94 and later have a plastic name ring that's clipped in instead of a metal ring with 2 holes that's screwed in.
-What is the advantage of converting 44m's to 44m-7s and selling them? They cost around the same and the image quality is according to taste. I've been able to get beautiful images from my 44m -The easiest way to avoid a scam I think is to buy a helios+zenit combo
Great video ! Do all the Helios 44-2 to 44-7 have same optical design and glass sizes and parts ? Also which version has least swirls ( I heard 6 and 7 have best image and least swirls )
swirl is optical imperfection. Sharper lens is, less swirls it produces. Yes, m6 amd m7 have less swirls and more sharpness over frame, in the meantime helios 44-2 has only center sharpness and a lot of swirls
Hello, first of all thank you for great quality videos, have learned a lot. I have bought Helios 44m-7 year 94. I guess its a fake one. Still I want to use it and fix it. It seems that spring that moves aperture blades in their position is not strong enough to close aperture (it works with a bit of help) - so it would be good to clean and lubricate it first. Also focusing ring is hard to turn. The problem is that front ring does not have those 2 holes to put something in(like caliper) and turn it. I can rotate it with fingers about 30degrees, then it does not rotate anymore. I tried to turn with rubber gasket around front ring, but still does not turn more than 30 degrees. Now thinking about drilling 2 holes in front ring for caliper as the last resort. Your advice would be much appreciated.
If the serial number starts with 94, how can it be fake? There were no other 44M-x lenses produced in 94. Also, the later production models have a plastic front ring without holes. This was done to cut costs.
yes, this is normal. You have the latest version, to make production costs lower, they decided to make plastic front ring with a clips instead of thread
Look closely at the number "2" on the front ring... The difference is subtle, but once you recognize it, it's one of the easiest ways to spot if the forgery is based on a non-original front ring swap.
Hi, i have an early version of the Helios 44 in silver and with an m39 mount. But instead of the usual 13 blades for this model, it has 8. Can you tell my what this could mean?
Hello RFH Can you make a video about lubrication of INDUSTAR 61 L/Z? Mine is getting sticky :( and Aperture is oily I found some russian articles about how to do it but I don't speak Russian and translation is not good. Also it's hard to understand
