• Blog
  • Calculators
    • Camera Bitrate Converter | Record Time Calculator
    • Diffraction Calculator
    • DoF Calculator | Lens Equivalent
    • Shutter Speed to Shutter Angle Calculator
  • Memory Cards
    • SD Memory Cards Guide
    • CFExpress Type-B Memory Card Benchmarks
    • CFexpress Type-A Memory Card Benchmarks
    • Memory Cards For Canon Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Fujifilm Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Nikon Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Panasonic Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Sony
    • SD Cards For GoPro
  • Accessories
    • Canon
      • Canon R5 Accessories
      • Canon R6 Accessories
      • Canon EOS R
      • Canon RP
      • Canon M50 Accessories
      • Canon T7i / T6 / T6i / T6s
      • Canon SL3 / 250D
      • Canon M6 II
      • Canon M5
      • Canon G1X III
      • Canon G7X III
    • Nikon
      • Nikon Z9
      • Nikon Z6 II / Z7 II
      • Nikon Z6 / Z7
      • Nikon Z50
    • Fujifilm
      • Fujifilm X-H2s
      • Fujifilm X-H2
      • Fujifilm X-T5
      • Fujifilm X-T4
      • Fujifilm X-S10
      • Fujifilm X-Pro3
      • Fujifilm X-T3
      • Fujifilm X-H1
      • Fujifilm X-T200
      • Fujifilm X100V Accessories
      • Fujifilm X100F Accessories
      • Fujifilm X-E4
      • Fujifilm XT30 & XT20
    • Leica
      • Leica M11 Accessories
      • Leica Q2 Accessories
    • Panasonic
      • Panasonic GH5 / GH5s
      • Panasonic LX100 II
    • Ricoh
      • Ricoh GR III
    • Sigma
      • Sigma fp
    • Sony
      • Sony A1 Accessories
      • Sony A7IV Accessories
      • Sony A7c Accessories
      • Sony A7sIII
      • Sony A7rIV / A9II
      • Sony A9
      • Sony A7 III, A7r III Accessories
      • Sony A6600 Accessories
      • Sony A6100 Accessories
      • Sony A6000 Accessories
      • Sony RX1R II
      • Sony RX10 IV / RX10 III
      • Sony RX100 IV / RX100 V
    • Drones
      • Mavic 2 Pro
    • Camera Cleaning Gear
  • Lenses
    • Canon RF Lens List
    • Fujifilm G Lens List
    • Fujifilm XF Lens List
    • Leica / Panasonic / Sigma L Lens List
    • Leica M Lens List
    • Micro Four Thirds Lens List
    • Nikon Z Lens List
    • PL Mount Cine Lens List
    • Sony FF E Lens List
    • Sony APS-C E Lens List
  • Store
Alik Griffin
Alik Griffin
  • Blog
  • Calculators
    • Camera Bitrate Converter | Record Time Calculator
    • Diffraction Calculator
    • DoF Calculator | Lens Equivalent
    • Shutter Speed to Shutter Angle Calculator
  • Memory Cards
    • SD Memory Cards Guide
    • CFExpress Type-B Memory Card Benchmarks
    • CFexpress Type-A Memory Card Benchmarks
    • Memory Cards For Canon Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Fujifilm Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Nikon Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Panasonic Cameras
    • Memory Cards For Sony
    • SD Cards For GoPro
  • Accessories
    • Canon
      • Canon R5 Accessories
      • Canon R6 Accessories
      • Canon EOS R
      • Canon RP
      • Canon M50 Accessories
      • Canon T7i / T6 / T6i / T6s
      • Canon SL3 / 250D
      • Canon M6 II
      • Canon M5
      • Canon G1X III
      • Canon G7X III
    • Nikon
      • Nikon Z9
      • Nikon Z6 II / Z7 II
      • Nikon Z6 / Z7
      • Nikon Z50
    • Fujifilm
      • Fujifilm X-H2s
      • Fujifilm X-H2
      • Fujifilm X-T5
      • Fujifilm X-T4
      • Fujifilm X-S10
      • Fujifilm X-Pro3
      • Fujifilm X-T3
      • Fujifilm X-H1
      • Fujifilm X-T200
      • Fujifilm X100V Accessories
      • Fujifilm X100F Accessories
      • Fujifilm X-E4
      • Fujifilm XT30 & XT20
    • Leica
      • Leica M11 Accessories
      • Leica Q2 Accessories
    • Panasonic
      • Panasonic GH5 / GH5s
      • Panasonic LX100 II
    • Ricoh
      • Ricoh GR III
    • Sigma
      • Sigma fp
    • Sony
      • Sony A1 Accessories
      • Sony A7IV Accessories
      • Sony A7c Accessories
      • Sony A7sIII
      • Sony A7rIV / A9II
      • Sony A9
      • Sony A7 III, A7r III Accessories
      • Sony A6600 Accessories
      • Sony A6100 Accessories
      • Sony A6000 Accessories
      • Sony RX1R II
      • Sony RX10 IV / RX10 III
      • Sony RX100 IV / RX100 V
    • Drones
      • Mavic 2 Pro
    • Camera Cleaning Gear
  • Lenses
    • Canon RF Lens List
    • Fujifilm G Lens List
    • Fujifilm XF Lens List
    • Leica / Panasonic / Sigma L Lens List
    • Leica M Lens List
    • Micro Four Thirds Lens List
    • Nikon Z Lens List
    • PL Mount Cine Lens List
    • Sony FF E Lens List
    • Sony APS-C E Lens List
  • Store
Helios-44-2 Prod Shots
  • Blog
  • Lens Reviews
  • Reviews

Helios 44-2 58mm f2 Review | A King Of Character

  • March 18, 2023
  • AGriffin

If you’re interested in beginning a vintage lens collection from the ’80s and ’90s, the Helios 44 series is an excellent starting point, renowned for their stunning, large swirling bubble bokeh.

The series encompasses several variants, each with its unique characteristics. I personally own the 44M, 44-2, and 44-4, all built with the goal of emulating the Zeiss Biotar lens.

Overall, these lenses offer impressive quality and performance for the price, making them an excellent non-radioactive vintage lens option.

In this particular review, I will focus solely on the 44-2.

 

Helios 44-2 shot on the Sony A7rII in Santa Monica

 

You can buy these lenses on Ebay, or even on Amazon. I’ve bought a few off Amazon and a few off Ebay. I prefer Amazon personally but sometimes they are harder to find.

I also don’t buy UV filters for these old lenses since it’s sometimes almost just as cheap to buy a new lens if anything happens.

You’ll also need an adapter depending on your camera. I use the Fotasy adapters.

Lens

  • Helios 58mm f2 44-2 M42 Mount Lens – Amazon 

This lens is not radioactive.

Adapters

  • M42 to Sony E-Mount – Amazon
  • M42 to Fujifilm X-Mount – Amazon
  • M42 to Canon EFM – Amazon
  • M42 to Nikon 1 – Amazon
  • M42 to M43 Mount – Amazon
  • M42 to G-Mount – Amazon

Helios 44-2 Filter Size

The filter size of the Helios 44-2 is 49mm.

 

Shot with the X-T2

 

Helios 44-2 First Impressions

While the Helios lens series has many options, the 44M-2 ranks low on my list of favorites to use. Nonetheless, it produces some of the most striking renderings I’ve seen.

The main drawback of this lens is its “preset aperture,” which can make aperture selection a nuisance. Essentially, the aperture has two rings – one for setting the aperture limit and another for adjusting the aperture within that limit. If you set the aperture limit at f5.6, the secondary ring allows you to shoot between f2 and f5.6 without ever passing f5.6. While this feature may seem cool, the secondary ring doesn’t indicate the actual aperture value within that range, making aperture adjustments unnecessarily complicated.

However, if you’re filming video and need a de-clicked aperture with a preset limit, the 44M-2 may be an ideal choice. Some companies even repack these optics into cine housings for this very purpose.

 

ISO 800, f2 1/160

 

Similar to other vintage lenses, achieving optimal results with the Helios 44-2 requires careful attention to detail. While this lens has decent sharpness and stunning bokeh, it flares excessively compared to many modern lenses and is prone to spherical aberrations.

 

Shot with the X-Pro 2.

For this shot I was at about the minimum focus distance from my daughter in her car seat, focusing on her eyelids. I was somewhere around f5.6. 

 

Corner To Corner Sharpness

 

Center Sharpness is possible on the Helios 44M-2 but the edge performance is pretty bad and the corners are even worst. 

This is not too unusual for old 35mm lenses that are being adapted to deal with the microlenses found in modern digital sensors, especially full-frame sensors. Perhaps one-day curved sensors will solve this problem.

On something like an APS-C camera the crop gets rid of the worst of it, but you’ll still notice it in the extreme edges.

 

 

The soft edges in images captured with the Helios 44-2 are not necessarily due to the lens’s inability to produce sharp details in the corners and edges. Rather, it’s a result of the corners and edges being slightly out of focus due to the lens’s significant spherical aberrations. While it’s possible to focus on the edges, doing so will cause the center to be out of focus.

Increasing the f-stop will increase the depth of field, resulting in sharper corners. It’s essential to note that using a higher f-stop can also lead to diffraction, which may result in an overall loss of resolution. Thus, aperture adjustments are necessary to mitigate this effect and you’ll generally find a sweet spot at around f5.6 to f8 with most cameras.

The issue with soft edges is less pronounced the further away the subject is from the lens, as greater distance results in increased depth of field at infinity. Here’s an example of an image taken with the Helios 44-2 straight out of the camera on an APS-C XT2 at f5.6. Considering the price point of under $100, the image quality is decent for an APS-C camera.

 

 

Below is a sample where I try to focus at the edges at f2. You can see the center falls out of focus. You can also see there is very little distortion. This was a full-frame shot on the A7rII.

 

Helios 44-2 Sharpness Review

 

In terms of overall sharpness, I’ve yet to get an image that has blown me away as I get with the Fujinon 56mm f1.2, especially wide open, but it still can produce some very nice detail at the right f-stop (of around f4-f8) and at the right distance. What’s really nice about this lens is the smooth rendering.

 

Helios 44-2 + Mitakon Speedmaster
Helios 44-2 + Mitakon Speedmaster
Helios 44-2 + Mitakon Speedmaster
Fujifilm X-T2, Helios 44m-2
Fujifilm X-T2, Helios 44m-2
Fujifilm X-T2, Helios 44m-2

 

Diffraction & The Sweet Spot

 

I like to do these diffraction tests because they always help to find the sweet spot of the lens. Typically diffraction is influenced by the pixel pitch of the camera sensor, but – sometimes some lenses still perform better than others.

At f2, even several feet from the wall, the lens is hardly usable unless you’re looking to sacrifice sharpness for big bubble bokeh and shallow depth.

F2.8 is a significant improvement over f2, then between f4 and f8, the lens seems to give the sharpest results.

 

Helios 44-2 Diffraction Test

 

Fujifilm X-T2 with the Helios 44-2 | FBI building, Westood Los Angeles

 

Bokeh / Swirling Cat Eye Effect

 

The Helios 58mm f2 lens is known for the swirling bokeh effect, especially the 44M-2. This of course won’t appear in every image, you sort of have to get the distance and focus just right to get it to get the out-of-focus area to swirl this crazy. 

You also won’t get as much of the swirly effect if you’re shooting on an APS-C camera. Below is a sample from the Sony A7rII’s full-frame sensor.

 

Helios 44-2 Swirling Bokeh Sample.

 

Full lens bokeh samples using the Mitakon M42-Fuji FX Speed Master. This allows for a full-frame circle of projection on an APS-C sensor. The speed master will add four elements and cuts down a little bit on clarity and contrast.

 

 

Flaring & Ghosting

 

Flaring and ghosting on these retro lenses is usually quite the spectacle and the 44M-2 is no exception. My lens doesn’t specify if it’s multi-coated or not, but honestly, I don’t mind what it’s doing here.

What’s cool is you actually get that classic ring pattern lens flares that modern lenses typically don’t produce. 

I was somewhere around F5.6 on the left. On the right, you can see what flaring becomes at f16.

Compared to other models of the lens the flaring is very interesting. The 44M, seems to bloom and glow more, and the 44-4 maintains a bit more clarity.

 

 

Helios 58mm F2 44M-2 Review | Bottom Line

 

These old Helios lenses are by no means amazing lenses compared to what you get with some of the new stuff, this mainly comes down to the build quality.

Obviously we’re not seeing modern coatings and you’ll have to work with the flaring these lenses produce. Corner-to-corner sharpness is not that amazing but you can get some nice results in the center of the image. What really makes this lens special is that buttery smooth rendering when shot at the faster apertures.

That doesn’t mean the Helios 44M-2 sucks. They don’t, far from it actually, and they can be a lot of fun on APS-C cameras where you’re cropping for only the best parts of the lens.

 

 

The 44-2 lens exhibits impressive center sharpness and adequate micro-contrast, while its corners are capable of resolving details when shooting subjects from a distance and using a stopped-down aperture. Additionally, the lens creates beautiful and usable patterns through flaring, which adds to its overall appeal.

Overall, the lens offers unique image rendering characteristics that are not easily found in modern lenses, all for a reasonable price of approximately $60.

However, the lens’s preset aperture can be a drawback as it was a design flaw from the early ’80s and makes it difficult to determine the current aperture setting. As a result, the 44M-4 or 44M are often preferred. Despite this, the 44-2 has a slightly different look compared to the other two lenses.

 

Is the 44-2 the best Helios lens?

 

Although I currently only own three Helios lenses, I can already discern that the 44-4 lens offers sharper images and better contrast than the 44-2. This difference is particularly apparent when shooting at faster apertures, and I have tested this across three separate copies of the 44-2.

While I am still in the process of testing and comparing the 44-4 to the 44-2, I plan to write up a full review eventually. It is possible that the 44-4 may have other flaws that are absent in the 44-2, but at present, I would recommend the 44-4 over the 44-2 unless one desires a de-clicked aperture or anamorphic conversion.

Moreover, I have heard that the 44-7 lens is quite remarkable if one can acquire a copy.

 

Helios 58mm F2 44-2 Sample Images

Many of the images here are colored with the Core Color Presets.

ISO 64, f2, 1/160
ISO 64, f2, 1/1500
ISO 320, f2, 1/180
ISO 2000, f2, 1/180
ISO 800, f2, 1/160
ISO 1000, f2, 1/160
ISO 2000, f2, 1/160
ISO 1250, f2, 1/160
**This website contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click them to make a purchase.
AGriffin

Professional editor, blogger and photographer from Los Angeles California.

Related Topics
  • Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • Fujifilm X-T2
  • Helios 44-2
  • Lens Reviews
  • m42
  • Reviews
  • Sony A7rII
  • Vintage
You May Also Like
New Lexar CFexpress Type B Cards
View Post
  • Accessory Reviews
  • Blog
  • Memory Cards
  • Reviews

Lexar 512GB Diamond & 2TB Gold CFxB Cards – Review & Benchmarks

  • AGriffin
  • March 24, 2023
View Post
  • Blog
  • Lens Reviews
  • Reviews

Voigtlander 50mm f1.5 II Review & Sample Photos

  • AGriffin
  • March 25, 2023
View Post
  • Blog
  • Lens Reviews
  • Reviews

Nikon Z 28mm f2.8 Review & Sample Photos

  • AGriffin
  • February 15, 2023
View Post
  • Accessory Reviews
  • Blog
  • Reviews

Tiffen Black Pro Mist Review – Is This The One?

  • AGriffin
  • February 18, 2023

IG Landscapes @alikgriffin

IG Streets @griffinalik

Twitter Feed
It's happening. This is a photo from almost 2014 shot on the original A7r with the Sony Zeiss 35mm f2.8. Such an un… https://t.co/gSnjcQxvW7
yesterday
  • Reply
  • Retweet
  • Favorite
Follow
Popular Articles
  • New Lexar CFexpress Type B Cards 1
    Lexar 512GB Diamond & 2TB Gold CFxB Cards – Review & Benchmarks
  • 2
    Voigtlander 50mm f1.5 II Review & Sample Photos
  • 3
    Nikon Z 28mm f2.8 Review & Sample Photos
  • 4
    Tiffen Black Pro Mist Review – Is This The One?
  • BB2 Blower Review 5
    NiteCore BB2 Electronic Blower Review
Join The Fun! Sign Up To The Newsletter!


*You will need to confirm your email. Check your spam folder after hitting subscribe.

About Me

A professional freelance trailer editor. I've been blogging for a decade and this site focuses on benchmarking memory cards, camera accessories, and lens reviews. There will be a shift towards more education with color and editing so be sure to hit the bell in the bottom right to subscribe for updates. Read About to learn more.

Popular Lens Reviews
  • 1
    A Complete List Of Fujifilm Lenses | X-Mount
  • Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S Lens Review 2
    Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S Lens Review & Sample Photos
  • 3
    Meike 35mm f1.7 Review & Sample Photos
  • 4
    Kamlan 50mm f1.1 II Review & Sample Photos
  • 5
    Meike 35mm f1.4 Review & Sample Photos
Memory Card Guides | Benchmarks

Memory Cards For Canon R5

Memory Cards For Canon R6

Memory Cards For Nikon Z6II / Z7II

Memory Cards For Nikon Z5

Memory Cards For Fujifilm X-T4

Memory Cards For GoPro Hero 9

Memory Cards For GoPro Hero 8

Privacy Policy | Ethics Statement | Licensing

Copyright © Alik Griffin Inc. 2021

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Manage Cookie Consent

We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}