Helios 44-2

[@obscura6205]

I swear this is one of the best channels on youtube

[@valoer]

agreed

[@charliejones5884]

Seconded

[@Shrek_Has_Covid19]

thirded

[@sednasix6608]

"forced"

[@anthonyj6880]

5

[@olenjoosep]

The aperture lock is actually for brighter/better focusing. Let's say you want to use f11 so you set the lock to f11. Since f11 being a pretty "dark" aperture, for focusing you wanna open the lens up all the way to f2. Then when you are ready to take the shot you can quickly close the lens back down to f11 without looking at the lens itself (cause you have locked it there). Hope that makes sense. Cool videos, keep it up!

[@grainydaysss]

Ah yes that totally makes sense!

[@Moonlislav]

Да, так и задумано, на ЮПИТЕР-37А так же.

[@billyshark6674]

genius omg

[@MWigforss]

Same deal on the Hasselblad 1600/1000f series lenses. I guess they (the USSR) got it from that camera when cloning it to become the Kiev 88 (aka Hasselbladski)

[@quite1enough]

Similar to focusing on large format

[@rams6702]

his thanksgiving shots... on december... cant wait for the christmas footage on valentines

[@grainydaysss]

Haha for real

[@DylanRubin]

Your picture at 4:41 is amazing man, can definitely see why that would be your all-time best.

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

One of my favourite lenses. I think with more vintage lenses you kind of accept there will be softness and different quirks but that's a big part of their pull.

[@alittleoffthesides4712]

It’s also worth mentioning the higher the “dash number” (44-2, 44-4, 44-7 etc) the sharper they are. If the aperture lock puts anyone off the 44m variant has a conventional aperture ring and an auto/manual stop down switch. Great vid as always!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I can confirm my 44M is great, immaculate, came with a broken camera for £30, adapts perfectly onto mirrorless

[@PitlordWeedsmurph]

Note the logo on the lens. Most of them are made in the valdai factory, which is of lower quality than the ones produced in belomo and KMZ plants. Also there are countless versions like 44, 44-2, 44m, 44m-2 to 44m-7 and all of them have different generations of their own. For example I can think of at least 8 versions of the 44-2 alone, and that doesn’t count the differences from all 3 factories.

[@Khrastal]

Thank you for healing my mental health

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

I've only watch the first 13 seconds of this video so far. That may be the best opening to a KZbin video I have ever seen

[@mikejankowski6321]

I hit the “like” button as the therapist comment was finishing.

[@williamcurwen7428]

I have the Helios 44-2 lens and have been using it off and on for the last 55 years. It is an amazing optic and incredibly versatile. Works best with a very deep and very large lens hood. As it has ultra low contrast, it takes a lot of getting used to. When it comes to bokeh, it’s a Biotar - get over it, and stop down to the sweet spot of f2.8 - not f2. At f8 to f16 it really sharpens up and becomes a lot more contrasty. Personally, I love the colour rendition. If it came to it, and my only option was one lens for the rest of my life ...... it would be the KMZ Helios 44-2.

[@DanielVeazey]

My favorite part of this video and all other film photography videos is the photo of the side of a building.

[@notyourtipicaltechguy6438]

The idea of the aperture lock is that you select the aperture you want, But focus wide open, this allows for a lot of light through the viewfinder and it helps focusing When you are ready to take the shot, move the ring to stop down and shoot

[@timmyd999]

Helios? Heli-yes

[@barrycohen311]

Best lens evah!

[@Pentax67]

44 likes ..!

[@O4KAST]

58mm of likes, let's leave it at that товарищ

[@fabriziodalvera1559]

You are insanely good at what your are doing, whatever it is that you are doing. Thanks, looking forward to new videos.

[@bovinicide]

Self deprecating humour with healthy dose of sarcasm leads to a new subscriber. Great video, nice presenting style.

[@SatanSupimpa]

I use my 44-6 on a digital aps-c sensor, gives me an 87mm equivalent and still keeps some of the swirl, great for portrait. I never used an earlier version, like the 44-2, but some people say that the later versions have a sharper center wide open, mine looks really sharp, but a slightly less pronounced swirl.

[@Zapruderfilm1963]

One of my favourite vintage lenses. Love that swirly bokeh!👍

[@illmagnetic]

i don't any thing about film or film cameras. I stayed for the humor and because I thought the title said Halo as in THE XBOX Halo. I'm subscribed. BAM!

[@coreywirth319]

These lenses have such a dope look and the deer pic is so good man 👍

[@PokeCactus]

Bro that deer pic was insane!!! Looks beautiful

[@shannonmaloney2579]

I'm so glad this came up in my recommended! Not only was this video well made.. I LOVED your commentary. You've got yourself a new subscriber :) I've had my helios for almost 2 years now and it was my go-to lens for a while. I just love the look, it even gives digital photos a sort of softness that I love from film.

[@billpickle2875]

Ah amazing, another video. I have every version of this lens and love it for stills and video. 44-2 is defo my fav. Has much lower contrast than the other 2. It's much cheaper here in the U.K.. I find it at car boot sales all the time for £5 Or less

[@andywintie4396]

Your photographs are incredible man.

[@pizzaman207]

Glad to see the channel growing.

[@cozywithsarkozy9206]

The best picture you took of those elk, looks amazing, top notch lad.

[@catoleg]

I use the same lens on my Sony a7iii, and images are looking almost the same as it would be shot on film. I love it!

[@obody-sl9np]

My personal favourite. I bought a soviet Zenit E SLR 35mm camera for 25€ and it came with a Helios 44-2 and it's honestly one of the best lenses I've ever used

[@MarcS4R]

killer shots man. great vid , as always

[@jimschmidt7303]

Mine arrived yesterday after being lost by the USPS for 5 months. My lens has made 3 trips across the Atlantic before making it to my door. There was the original shipment, then the trip back to the Ukrane because the USPs only reads postal codes not the name of the city onnthe address and cant figure out a package was sent to the wrong post office. USPS sent it back to the Ukrane for trip 2 across the Atlantic, 3rd try across the Atlantic and some how it made it to my door. I took a couple photos and saw the same softness you spoke about. Thanks for the tips.

[@ClaireTriesIt]

I love your videos so much! Your sense of humor is gold!! keep uploading :)

[@stevebendelack3935]

Beautiful,beautiful lenses these are.For a moment one can go:”it’s a bit like Mirror innit…..”,honestly with the ‘bloom,and flare,but i agree portraits are best,very kind to faces.

[@memuller]

Freaking awesome videos, Have seen a bunch, learned a lot and I'm laughing the hell out of them!!! Respects!

[@lukemoll2521]

6:33 I bought a 44-2 a good couple months ago and only realised now that there's an aperture lock...

[@shurley96]

Hey! I started watching your videos recently, and it got me interested in film photography. I managed by sheer luck to find a Zenit 122 in a thrift shop for €50. It came equipped with this lens, and I'm really enjoying using it so far.

[@mattnykamp]

last time I came so quick I was at the premiere of cats

[@codenameGIZM0]

When the KZbin recommendation comes in clutch

[@freedompanda9438]

So, crazy story. I won’t tell it now, but I will say, I live in Paso Robles. Right there. I was picking up everything that you were laying down. Fun to see another photographer’s images of the town I live in. Not saying I’m the other photographer. That’s Ted. You & Ted. So thanks. And now I’m going to look up the Helios.

[@MWigforss]

Great video as always! Love the Helios! Mine is converted to Nikon F mount incl. infinity focus capability (which normally isn’t possible bc of the flange focal distance)

[@MINECRAFTandSEB]

does it shoot as well with that mount and the infinity focus? I really want to purchase one for my nikon d7100 but im a little confused what exact helios lens to get and what sort of adapter would be best.

[@MWigforss]

@@MINECRAFTandSEB I was also kind of confused so I bought the converted one from the beginning. Haven’t tried the non-converted one but I get the results I want. Totally worth the $50-60 I paid.

[@depotmsa2362]

dude i love this video, it's as good as the office !

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

I no longer shoot film, but we have similar subject interests, and I do love old school photos. Love your channel.

[@tolisthekid]

woah, this is my first ever and favourite lens of all time mate! I'm using it on a Zenit 12XP, cause it's really hard to adapt it. just like it's hard to adapt to all my adult responsibilities.

[@sohkinoshita8138]

As usual, your videos are so funny yet educating😂😂😂

[@pjc.visuals]

Thank you for having a sense of humour bro ❤️

[@parranoic]

Dude, you posted the video right after I got the lens. Didn't even watch the video yet and I know it's going to be interesting.

[@KodakBoy]

Can you please dedicate an entire video taking nothing but Baxter photos Thanks

[@tomdivasion7724]

Seconded. Baxter for president

[@RCT2411]

I agree. I subscribed because of the dog. Oh and the film photography too... I guess...

[@davideastham]

Love my Helios. Thanks for the video ! Bought mine on Ebay. It was 'de-clicked' and had focus gears applied for about $100.

[@s.j.249]

This video is the Christmas present I asked Santa for, thanks Santa

[@gu4xinim]

I got a helios 44 + Zenith EM for 30 bucks, glad to know its paid itself now. This is a very nice lens for video when adapted on a digital camera. ps. I wanna hug your dog.

[@diclexicschweb4748]

Love the content the only film photography Channel thats actually funny. Not saying uthers r bad just not that funny

[@justinvanmarle6039]

You had me subscribing at “an aggressive amount of leopard skin”. 😂👌🏼

[@valoer]

I think you're amazing. You're very skilled mate

[@tomjanowski8584]

Reverse the front element and see what happens.... I bought mine on EBay for $30. It shipped from Russia. It took 6 months to get to me. The "package" was round and white and the size of a softball. Removing the white plastic revealed that the lens had been wrapped in pipe insulation. But the lens was in great condition.

[@Zombotron]

Finally some M42 love

[@Diarigel]

Helios - Гелиос!) Спасибо чувак)

[@SovietLensReviews]

Great review! You mentioned that the two copies of the M42 Helios you bought were soft - I notice that they are both copies from the Valdai plant (Soviet equivalent of Walmart home-brand), you should try and find a Helios manufactured by KMZ/Zenit (same logo as your M39 version) - they're often of much higher quality.

[@NGC1433]

I am years late to the party, but that aperture control design you call ass-backwards is actually why all the "F-stop" terms exist. You are stopping down the aperture. You put the F-stop ring to where you want it, focus and stop down your aperture before shooting. Of course automatic aperture made all this fuss obsolete, later Helios 44 versions had auto-aperture prong on their mount. I'd highly encourage everyone to try the newer multi-coated versions. They have noticeably better contrast and sharpness wide open while all the swirly swirl is just the same - only the coating changed.

[@DenisSmithMK1]

Actually black lenz that you have its 3rd version like ps3 slim - cheaper and got some cons. Second is made in Minsk and got white marking instead of green. And its well made without any oil inside and give a little more contrast.

[@zerg_burger]

This lens is great but between my takumar 50mm f1.4 and the voiglander apo lanthar its the odd man out. the takumar is the best hands down IMO. Soft lenses are underrated tho I got my buddy to pick one up for his first lens on an a7 I sold him so he didn't break the bank as a noob

[@anbar5675]

I had all versions from 44-2 to 44-7 but was not enthusiastic. In the contrary, still have the 44 silver version, which I consider a really great lens. Although it has the same optical formula with the 44-2 series, delivers images closer to my taste.

[@JSOWNMC]

I have one of the 13 blade silver ones on a Minolta srt 101. Love it. Chunky metal beast with a chrome lens 🤙

[@wilson_law]

Oh this video is so relaxing after a day of sports and a cool shower on a hot summer day, in an air conditioned room, of course.

[@rosetta-stxned]

you're my favorite youtube channel

[@franzjosefstakes]

The older versions allegedly are sharper than the newer ones. There are tales that the ones produced under Stalin's time had better QC because they would literally throw workers in the gulag if they though they were doing a bad job manufacturing the lenses.

[@barrymckeown6822]

So excited to hear there is a m42 to fd adapter

[@aydenbyrnes]

Love these bois, I have a normal one and a fake anamorphic modded one (aperture was replaced with an oval shape boi so it looks like your shot was expensive even tho it was like $45). The Helios 44M is also kind of hot and less swirly/soft but I broke mine bc I thought I could handle cleaning dust out of it.. I could not.

[@KC2Lucky]

Ayden Byrnes I too have a fake anamorphic modded one, modded it myself but the screws have now broken. Looks very cool. I also added the fishing line to add flaring. You can get some very nice results from it. More of a hobby lens than anything you can use for some serious work. I like the Helios but struggling to find another decent one for the right price.

[@bonnieheadley2187]

I have three of these lenses and I do love them I hadn’t used them in a while but mine are sharp and backgrounds are dreamy with bokeh :)

[@JohnKrill]

Have you ever tried the nikkor 58mm f1.4 manual focus lens that was first produced in 1961. Has a very, and I mean narrow, focus range. Get the focus right, take a breath and you just lost focus. I have had that lens since my dad sold it to me in '66 and I have used it zero times. My dad spent the rest of his life laughing when he thought of me and that lens. He also hated it.

[@grainydaysss]

Haha no haven't tried it but I can only imagine. I think there is a 1.2 version as well?

[@JohnKrill]

@@grainydaysss Since I never used this thing why would I be inclined to try one with even worse dof?

[@josephasghar]

Oh I dunno. The black and whites were pretty ballsack too. Thanks for sharing.

[@DangereskX]

Intro alone was worth the click

[@photog1529]

Well, at least you have very good taste in bourbon. Haven't tried a Helios yet. Played with the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 for a spell and the Canon FL 55/1.2...kept the Canon and use the 55 on my film and digital gear.

[@spikeleo]

No one has deserved a subscribe more than this channel 😂😂😂

[@GroundhogOZ]

The 'original' Helios 44 was also available in M42 (it was without the preset aperture afaik) - but 60$ for a 44-2 seems a bit much (sold my last one with a Zenit E for 30€).

[@Spectre-xj7lx]

Me courting my crush: “There might be a little ghosting...”😂

[@palmdodo]

Still keep Summitar on my IIIc and IIIf, like old wine. 😀

[@jonathanmay4207]

Thanks, but I’m most interested in why Baxter is on a lead in the kitchen and at the dinner table?

[@fynngrunwald5415]

3 minutes into the video I bought one for my AE-1, so yeah, I'm convinced

[@Memento_HiFi]

So apparently those older m39 silver Helios lenses have the same flange distance as m42 lenses which is why they have trouble focusing to infinity. You just need to screw on an m39 to m42 adapter and just use them as an m42 lens.

[@barrycohen311]

You've gone mental mate. Helios is the finest, sharpest, lens ever produced by mankind. There is no other lens that can touch it.

[@pakistani218]

Hey Jason, i LOVE your channel! i've binged just about every video you've put out over the past few days. I had a question about something you said in this video about getting the perfect exposure (about 7:20). How exactly does that work in practice on an AE-1? What exactly are you referencing on the AE-1 light meter to know when the exposure is correct with the method you suggested? do you ride the aperture until the needle is at 5.6? I was under the impression that needle simply points to what aperture the camera wants you to use? Sorry if that seems like a dumb question. Thanks for the great content.

[@Sreybk]

My results with Street Candy were kinda hit or miss. A bunch looked washed out with no contrast. Not sure I will use it again.

[@francoisperras8186]

Great video. Thanks for sharing it. Have you try the Helios 40-2 85mm 1.5 ?

[@AnthonyDeLorenzo]

Best intro ever!

[@MichaelZieschang]

I miss the whole-frame-burning flares shot wide open into direct sunlight 😝 in your captures...

[@don7117]

'aggressive amount of leopard print' 😅🤣😂🤣😅

[@artemeelemann317]

Was very surprised to see this lens in your reviews. I prefer some more modern like Helios 44-7 seems more sharp to me, also I have some modification of 44-K4 for Pentax. And they do not have the shitty lock of aperture and I can definitely advise to give them a second try :)

[@FramesPerSecond]

My Helios lens had a clicking aperture. I sold it recently though.

[@lefteyereport6354]

Likely a later 44-M

[@palesmichael]

It is soft, but valdai factory, while it has produced the greatest amount of these lenses, has the worst QC of all the factories. KMZ is supposed to be the best among HELIOS 44-2 lenses. I have yet to test it, as I acquired one KMZ with white markings and the typical valdai with green ones.

[@johnlarsson4437]

Have a look here. This video shows the markings for the different factories and makes recommendations which to buy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5-tY2ZjnpuVndk&ab_channel=MathieuStern

[@AeromaticXD]

I love your humour!

[@tadi7051]

I've got this lens and it is quite sharp at f2 in the middle of the frame

[@bekerashes]

Russian glass / cameras are actually pretty awesome if you know what to look for. FED cameras are actually copycat Leica rangefinder’s, I shoot a lot of them before analog craze and price surge. FED 3 is my beloved one, paired with Helios

[@loui.e0241]

i have seen alot of reviews and cideos in this lense this was a nice unique fun and funny take epic

[@O4KAST]

The original helios 44 wasn't only silver and m39, but it has 13 blade diaphragm

[@cozywithsarkozy9206]

Bro i like the 1st picture where you are underneath the tree, so close to the deer. But the composition with the 4 deer on top of the hill is more traditional. But the 1st one is more dynamic and interesting

[@l0stxs0ul]

It must vary between versions as mine looks like it was used as a clay shooting disc but its razor sharp wide open.

[@sonygoup]

These long videos that make me feel depressed

[@gh7213]

Why am I just now finding this channel?

[@yazavaworks]

Buy a 44M-4 mate. Sharper, the bokeh is almost the same. Lil less swirly

[@AcccendoFilms]

This is great, you're great. Subbed

[@grabshotphoto7396]

If you ever get the chance, try 7 Artisans. Really like their 25mm.

[@abovoluv]

fuck fuck fuck. i was doing research on this lenses for the longest, happy to see you did a video on it. best channel on the tube of yous

[@kaiditmn]

"I will drink whatever is open and handed to me"