3D Printed Lens Mount Adapter and 1961 Soviet KMZ "Start" Vintage Camera - Helios 44 Lens

In this video we're taking a quick look at a Russian KMZ (Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod) Start camera, made in the USSR in 1961. This camera comes with an early 13 aperture blade Helios 44 lens and is attached to the camera using the Start's unique breech lock bayonet. There appear to be few, if any mount adapters available for this lens so I decided to make my own to fit the lens to a Panasonic Lumix GX80 - Micro Four Thirds camera. The adapter was printed using standard PLA filament on a FLSUN Delta 3D Printer.
The Helios 44 is the first in the line of the Helios 44 series of lenses - the most famous being the later Helios 44-2 with it's legendary swirly bokeh.
I will eventually use film in the camera but at the moment there's a fault with the shutter mechanism, so until I get round to stripping it apart to fix the fault, the camera can't be used.
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Intro music:
"As Yet Untitled"
by GrumpyTim (available to download from GrumpyTim's Bandcamp page)
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[@ohjajohh]

We're getting spoiled with new video's this week! Very nice that you (with help from your brother) are able to print lens mount adapters!

[@GrumpyTim]

Cheers ohjajohh, the key to printing the lens mount adapter was getting a 3D printer - I've only had it a few weeks and I've already made so many parts - replacement buttons, knobs and handles for vintage mechanical calculators - parts for other projects that have been sitting unfinished for years, mounting brackets and lots more. I tend to make /repair lots of stuff so the 3D printer is amazingly useful.

[@ohjajohh]

@@GrumpyTim That's nice. I know 3D printers aren't cheap, but what are the actual printing costs for this adapter alone? Maybe you could start your own 'Grumpy Tim 3D parts' shop ;)

[@GrumpyTim]

If you exclude time and electricity I don't think the material costs are that high - I could probably weigh the adapter to work out how much PLA filament is used but I bet it's only about £1 Sterling. I'm not sure how long a cheap printer like mine would last before parts wore out so spare parts for the printer would need to be added to the costs. Each adapter takes about an hour and a half to print out - mind you, you can leave the printer to get on with it while you do something else.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Another great video, mate. That's a very interesting looking lens and I liked the images and video. That adapter seemed to work a treat 👍

[@GrumpyTim]

Cheers David, I was struggling for subject matter to photograph, nearly everything was soggy, dull and muddy!!! They also made that lens in M39 (or L39 to give it it's correct title), but those tend to be more expensive because they're easier to adapt for digital. It'll be interesting to see the results when I compare it against the later and more common Helios 44-2 - my guess is that the 44-2 will do more or less the same job, for quite a bit less money - but the Start version does look cool!!!!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

@@GrumpyTim Yeah it does indeed look cool. The release on the lens is very cool. I'm yet to get myself a Helios 44, I bought myself a 35mm f2.8 Soligor that looks like it might have been drop kicked at some point, but for £10 I figured it was worth a shot😂

[@GrumpyTim]

My more normal Helios 44-2 came attached to a Prinzflex 500E camera which is a Zenit E with a plastic badge stuck over the Zenit name - that seems to be the cheapest way to get one of those lenses these days. You may have noticed that I like lenses that look like they've been in the wars so I'm sure your Soligor will be fine - looking forward to seeing that one in a video (I don't think you've done that one yet have you - I know you did a Soligor but I think that was a zoom or telephoto).

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

@@GrumpyTim No it's not done yet, I'm still waiting for it to be delivered. The pictures showed a bent filter thread and some obvious wear. I'm curious to see how it looks in the flesh so to speak. I saw a few 44-2's from the Russian federation for reasonable prices, but I'm not sure if I'd trust it to get here given how bad the post is right now. I think buying one attached to a body is a great idea, the lens I got on my Nikon em was in great condition for £14

[@GrumpyTim]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial I've bought a couple of things from Ukrane, they've been well described and arrived safely after a bit of time. I guess it's trickier to return them if they turn out not to be so good, but maybe that's the gamble you take. There's often a bit of a gamble buying second hand and unseen as you do on ebay but overall I'm very happy with the items I've bought.

[@Tele-fk4cu]

I really enjoyed the video! I've bought a Start with the Helios lens and didn't realise how tricky it would be to find an adapter for the bayonet mount. Do you still have the file that your 3d printed? Cheers!

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Alisdair, yes I've still got the 3D file for the mount adapter, you should find an email address to contact me in the "about" tab of my channel.

[@BensWorkshop]

Good work Tim. Like the lens. Also I see your metrics are moving in the right direction.

[@GrumpyTim]

Cheers Benedict, it is a pretty interesting lens - there was also a screw mount version of the lens which I think is more common - the version I have was made for the Start camera only, and not only that, it was the only lens produced for the Start camera. It'll be nice when I've fixed the camera because I'm dying to put a film in it.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@GrumpyTim I can see that. What sort of film would you put in?

[@GrumpyTim]

Its standard 35mm film - I have some Ilford FP4 ISO125 Black & White film in stock, so that's what will go in it. The Zeiss Ikon Contaflex that appeared in the intro for the video currently has that film in it - waiting to be able to go to pretty places to finish that film off!

[@BensWorkshop]

@@GrumpyTim Fair enough. I always used chrome film in my medium format big camera and black and white in the TLR.

[@GrumpyTim]

@@BensWorkshop I didn't use much Black & White in the film days so when I wanted film last year I just bought one that I thought might be ok. I used to use Fuji Superia 200 iso film mostly. There's not so much choice these days but at least we can still get film.

[@SwerveMasterQ]

Howdy - great vid, and great timing! Recently nabbed an eBay listing of 2 Start-mount Helios 44s on the cheap, hoping to figure out a way to adapt em once they arrive. Do you know where I can I find the CAD model files for the Start-mount? I’d be adapting mine to Sony E rather than M43, and I have several CAD-proficient friends who could definitely do what you did here but to Sony E instead. A quick google search didnt come up with any Start adapters as far as I could tell, so any help would be appreciated pointing me in the right direction. Thanks!

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi SwerveMasterQ, if you want to email me - you'll find contact details in the "about" section, I'll see if I can dig out my 3D drawings for the Start mount. It's a bit crude the way I did it, what with not designing in a latching system but there seemed to be plenty of friction so the lens wasn't about to fall off, and it's not like I'll be taking it on and off the mount every day or anything.

[@NunoCoelho_carrots99]

Do you sell the adapter (or could you share the "design" to 3d print it)? Thanks

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Nuno, if you want to email me (you can find the address in the "about" section on my channel page), then I'm sure we can sort something out.

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

I pulled out an old book and I am adding some information on the Start camera taken from there (I have the funny french edition...). The writer describes this camera as "built like a T-34 tank" to conquer the professional photographer market. In fact this camera offers many interesting features (for example, as you mentioned, the interchangeable prism) but was limited by the range of available lenses and the film advancement system. In 1961 a new film advancement was introduced but the production remained around 20000 pieces per year between 1961 and 1963 totalling 76503 pieces between 1958 and 1964. Unfortunately the bayonet mount, similar to that of the Praktina or Altix, limited the number of available lenses to one - the Helios-44 for start cameras (with 13 blades), therefore the camera was sold with a M39 adapter to mount LTM lenses. The prototypes lenses of MIR and TAIR-11 with Start bayonet, which received a medal in 1958 in Bruxelles , were never mass produced, so if you own one of these two lenses with original Start bayonet, you have a little jewel in your hands. Three different variants for this camera are known: K2400 - cyrillic letters K2405 - from 1961, with new lever and film advancement mechanism K2406 - identical to the one above, but with latin letters Some developments followed: (1963-1964) - Start-2 with preselection and selenium exposure meter (only a few pieces were produced - this is the case when we can say RARE, not as on eBay where any lens produced in millions of pieces is defined rare, just becaus it is old...) (from 1960) camera with revolving turret allowing to change three lenses (as the Rectaflex Rotor or Zenit-3 - never seen it, but can upload a picture if you are curious...)

[@GrumpyTim]

Wow, that's all interesting - it would be fun to stumble across one of the prototype lenses in a junk shop - you never know, stranger things have happened! The revolving turret would be amazing to own - can you imagine walking around with one of those - that would make people look - wow I want one of those........

[@Soundbrigade]

Travelled a lot to Russia in 89/90 and everywhere were small flea markets found or just people selling whatever they could sell to get some few kopeeks. Searching such places, especially next to a Metro station, I guess a lot of nice things could be found, like RARE lenses. I bought my first LOMO camera in a shop in Velikie Luki, paying 50 Roubles (£4) and recall seeing here and there. My start is a No 6117015 and lens No 0048875 no П/P but the lens has that purple tint. One advantage is that you can use an old filmcassette as take-up spool and I have to try that next time. Waiting for the first FULL film I have taken, from the lab.

[@kremensky]

Just bought one. from 1962 Grrreat camera!

[@GrumpyTim]

Yeah, they are a beautiful camera, and I must admit that I'd never heard of them until a friend mentioned one a little while before I posted this video - I then had to go and get myself one.

[@sk8er-dad]

I need adapter for Fujifilm, can you print this for me ;d I will pay. Any recommendation ? How to connect to camera this lens ?

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Mellow, I haven't got a Fujifilm camera so I can't copy the mount to make a Start to Fujifilm adapter. There is someone on ebay in USA selling a KMZ Start to Canon EOS adapter - if you can get EOS to Fujifilm adapters, that might be an option, although it's a bit of a long shot!!!!

[@krisztinacseh3621]

Just chiming in to provide some ideas. There are multiple Fuji-X / Fujifilm adapters available for free on the likes of Thingiverse. With Autodesk's Meshmixer it is pretty easy to take two 3D models and cut/merge them together to get that adapter (take the mount end of the Fuji-X model and merge it together with the START end of the adapter). Not saying you should do it, but it could be an easy possibility for anyone interested in DIY photography adapters. :)

[@GrumpyTim]

@@krisztinacseh3621 Thanks Krisztina - I really should look at some of the online resources for 3D models rather than always thinking I have to work from scratch myself! So long as I knew the correct flange distances (which wouldn't be too hard to find) I could easily merge the two designs. Ta for the suggestion.

[@Soundbrigade]

Had a conversation with my favourite camera dealer in Ukraine, asking for a real “professional” camera and he offered me the Start. Have had som issues with advancing the film, but I loaded up the camera a few days ago and now it seems to be working OK. However, I am mostly interested in getting a 100 or 135mm lens and an adapter for the camera. I have found adapters for the Start for M39 and M42 and cannot really decide what to go for. But as my FED and ZORKI use M39, a tele lens for Start could also be used with these dameras. I find the Start to be a really fun camera to use; it’s simple but still (I hope) of good quality and it can be used to hunt down a moose or a bear ... It was great seeing your video and learn a little more about a fantastic camera. (PS. Found an adapter on eBay for Canon EOS M 😎).

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Magnus, I'm glad your camera seems to be working ok - I really should have a look at the shutter mechanism on mine because that was the only part that wasn't working correctly, then I can throw some film in it and shoot away. The Start is an awesome camera, I'm really pleased with mine - I love the way it looks. Thanks for the prod, I'd kind of put it to one side after I shot the video and it would be great to have it ready to use. If I was getting an adapter I'd go for the M42 one, simply because I have loads of M42 lenses and only a few M39/L39 lenses, but if you've already got lenses for your Fed and Zorki, then maybe that's the best one for you. Or if funds allow, get both!!!!! If you ever want additional information about Soviet cameras and lenses, ask Partizio d'Alessandro (you'll see comments from him on this video) he has done loads of research on Soviet cameras and the like and has taught me lots (and corrected me when I get stuff wrong).

[@Soundbrigade]

@@GrumpyTim Thanks a lot for your informative answer and advice. After a lot of thinking I finally decided to pick up the adaptor for my EOS M50. I have a small collection of Soviet cameras, the FED, Zorki, Kiev 4AM, LOMO, Kiev 135, a Micron 2 and a LOMO 135M and a bunch of Western finding my favourites to be a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 517/2 and a Voightländer Vito II - both folding cameras. Some of my cameras have issues, the spring-operated LOMO 135 both fires and advances the film simultaneously and the Zorki has that shutter problem, leaving half the frame over- or underexposed and the START had problems advancing the film but it seems its working now. Btw, here's the only photos I managed to take on my first trial: www.lomography.com/homes/soundbrigade/albums/2222787-start-and-stopp.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Magnus, I love the shots you took with your Start, in fact I love lots of your shots - I've bookmarked your page. If/when I get round to fixing the shutter issues on my Start, I might stumble across things that could cause film advancing issues on that camera. I had to fix the shutter mechanism on my Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B - that was a camera I fell in love with when I saw it and just had to have it - after much investigation, everything on the shutter mechanism was working correctly and all the pivots were free, yet it kept stalling on the slower shutter speeds - I finally discovered it was just the spring binding - it had that grey powdery look to it which was causing friction and not transmitting it's power to the clockwork timer - a tiny drop of oil on the spring and it works fine. I really should finish the film that's in that camera, thanks for the reminder......

[@Soundbrigade]

@@GrumpyTim Mrs K is coming from USA on Saturday and I will have no time to fiddle with my cameras (except loading films and shoot). I hope the Start has been working OK and tomorrow I will probably finish a roll - a WHOLE roll. Then I absolutely have to figure out what's wrong with at least one of my Russian cameras - Fed, Kiev or Zorki and also have a go at my German AkaRex that winds two frames before stopping. The adapter, which was sent to our daughter in Chicago was "lost", be she didn't check things up really and just stuffed the adapter in a pile somewhere. Will get it on Saturday and will try to use the Start lens on my digital camera.

[@Soundbrigade]

The adapter wasn't lost, our daughter thought the package was for her husband. But now I have tried it out and had some issues before realising that there was an adjustment ring to get the lens in perefct "focus". I took some photos and got the feeling that the results looked very "analog".

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Hey Tim - Interesting! I see that the serial of the camera starts with 61, but the serial of the lens starts with a 00. Until 1961 the Start Helios-44 lenses had a red "П" (просветление) on the marking ring around the front lens to indicate that they were coated. I could not see the red "P" on your lens but I think I can see the typical light purple tint of the chemical coating used for these lenses: am I correct? Check this picture for "color reference" of the coating...ibb.co/r45FST1 Export version with latin alphabet ibb.co/X37MSgq

[@GrumpyTim]

Yes, you're right, there's no red "П" on my lens but it does have a very noticeable light purple tint from the coating - it didn't show up much on the video but it's so visible when you look at the lens with the naked eye that you'd think all your shots would look purple in colour. It looks just like the one in the first picture you linked. I really should learn how to say the "Start" name in Russian because the name "Start" doesn't sound that great - almost like it's a beginners camera. There's a little knob beside the rewind knob which appears to be a film slicer - you unscrew the bit at the top and pull it upwards and it brings a curved blade up inside the camera - I've never seen that before. ......and a late addition, I used the Google translate speaking feature and the "Старт" name appears to sound similar to Start in English!

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

@@GrumpyTim The knife is useful in case you want to develop only the already exposed film. With the knife you can cut the exposed part, open the back and remove the exposed film (of course in a dark room...) to develop it without having to loose the remaining shots left in the unexposed film cassette. Nice gadget. In Russian the word "Старт" is pronounced exactly as in the English "Start"...ha, ha: you can do it!

[@GrumpyTim]

I'm almost disappointed that "Старт" sounds the same in Russian as English, I was hoping for something really exotic sounding!!!!