Helios 44-2

Jason likes his lenses like he likes his soft serve, swirly.
Cameras in video:
Canon AE-1
Video recorded on my phone, and Sony a7rii.
Social Media:
Instayams: @50_shades_of_jason
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[@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

[@timmyd999]

Helios? Heli-yes

[@barrycohen311]

Best lens evah!

[@Pentax67]

44 likes ..!

[@O4KAST]

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

[@DylanRubin]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@DanielVeazey]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@diclexicschweb4748]

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

[@fabriziodalvera1559]

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

[@TreeShark]

Bro that deer pic was insane!!! Looks beautiful

[@bovinicide]

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

[@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...

[@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

[@coreywirth319]

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

[@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.

[@codenameGIZM0]

When the KZbin recommendation comes in clutch

[@andywintie4396]

Your photographs are incredible man.

[@Zombotron]

Finally some M42 love

[@pjc.visuals]

Thank you for having a sense of humour bro ❤️

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@MarcS4R]

killer shots man. great vid , as always

[@pizzaman207]

Glad to see the channel growing.

[@cozywithsarkozy9206]

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

[@Diarigel]

Helios - Гелиос!) Спасибо чувак)

[@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.

[@ClaireTriesIt]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@sohkinoshita8138]

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

[@Ibibiogal]

Are you the best photographer in the world? Nope but who is? What you are is an awesome humble human who makes me smile every time I get a notification that there's a new vid up. There's clearly a lot of thought, effort and passion put into these videos and your photography. Your deadpan sense of humour is also very refreshing and I wish more film photo channels were a little more like yours. Wishing you more subs and views in the new year!!! That's all folks.

[@memuller]

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

[@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.

[@s.j.249]

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

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

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

[@depotmsa2362]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@josephasghar]

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

[@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.

[@barrymckeown6822]

So excited to hear there is a m42 to fd adapter

[@DangereskX]

Intro alone was worth the click

[@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.

[@fynngrunwald5415]

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

[@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.

[@davideastham]

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

[@justinvanmarle6039]

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

[@JSOWNMC]

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

[@patnasty10]

Thanks for the perspective

[@valoer]

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

[@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.

[@loui.e0241]

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

[@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.

[@kayla-kt1cj]

Baxter just too cute !!

[@lukemoll2521]

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

[@FlosBlog]

Baxter is such a good boy

[@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.

[@sirmski9373]

Your best photo was nice

[@spikeleo]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@don7117]

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

[@palmdodo]

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

[@Nulrom]

I like it dude.

[@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 :)

[@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

[@rosetta-stxned]

you're my favorite youtube channel

[@nathanlarson7285]

I have this lens on my Zenit Em!

[@kaiditmn]

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

[@markmanning8933]

Great video

[@Spectre-xj7lx]

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

[@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.

[@미쿠오]

Oh baxter how I love you so

[@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.

[@annabelazanutto9222]

This is very VERY cute dog...

[@rainerkont-kontson2369]

Helios 44-6 is amazingly sharp, great for landscapes. 10/10 would recommend.

[@EugeniaLoli]

It doesn't have the weird bokeh though.

[@rainerkont-kontson2369]

​@@EugeniaLoli Yea, it´s nearly gone. Its a well refined version of the wonky 44-2.

[@PREVEDREDCAT]

Гелиос 😬✊

[@nicksucio]

Always wanted to try that lens !

[@gh7213]

Why am I just now finding this channel?

[@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.

[@tadi7051]

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

[@stevofoo]

I like it man!!!!!!!!

[@AeromaticXD]

I love your humour!

[@joez7770]

20 dollars lens, cheap price but not cheap lens, I have one 44~2.love,it

[@izzyosborn637]

I used a helios 44-2 on a zenit-e as my first proper film camera. Despite its janky Russian nature I took som of my favourite photos with it.

[@thomw6387]

Love your style, all shill and all

[@jakeeon583]

so fucking talented dude

[@Jimmycoldshoulders]

The softness you are referring to may be due to the oil on the blades. The valdai plant which symbol looks like an arrow are the worst versions and also account for the bulk of the lenses overall quantity. The original silver one you have there was produced under Stalin so it is top grade communist swag. The KMZ plant 44-2 version is the next best thing to the silver one which their symbol was like a blob with 2 arms. The retro photo house channel does a in-depth overview of all versions of the lense. I've purchased 3 of these lenses. 2 44-2 a zebra variant but it has oily blades and a stuck focus ring, a 44-2 all black which is BUTTERY smooth all round and a 44-m which is also in great condition admittedly a much younger version. Love the channel, the dead pan satirical comments every other line are just perfect

[@neilpiper9889]

Nifty 58. I was using one of these in 1967. On a

[@kenbrisby4825]

i like your comedy show.

[@O4KAST]

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

[@lukass_btz2341]

3:28 Casually showing handcuffs in the background xD

[@KnutBurmeister]

I will use my 44-2 again after all these years. I feel bad for it.