Helios 44M vs Helios 44M-4 - vintage soviet lens comparison

[@Kiwi49-vf9rn]

Great video Marco! Regards from me in New Zealand.

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks for the support!

[@glennpickering6829]

Great video, thank you. It convinced me to purchase a mint 44M-4 to compliment my trusty 44M (which has sentimental value, and so I prefer not to use it often as I always worry about damaging it!)

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks, glad it was useful!

[@tridentroy]

Awesome....can we get Jupiter 37A review pls

[@MarcoAries]

If I manage to get my hands on one, yes, sure!

[@kainbre]

Nice video Marko as always.. I have almost all versions.. (7 different models) best is the helios 44 (m39 version double 0 serial)

[@MarcoAries]

Ah, the oldest one, right? Sometimes I kind of think about collecting all of them, like Pokemon, but I know I wouldn't use them and they would end up being just a background prop. I'd rather someone else that enjoys and uses them to have them. Are you adapting the m39 one to digital? Did you find a good adapter? I've read of many people having troubles with that mount.

[@SteveC_Creative_Photography]

It's easy. Just put a M39 to M42 ring from China on it and use a cheap Helicoid.

[@MarcoAries]

That's a workaround, yeah, I've used double adapters in the past, but obviously I'd prefer a single one 😉 I'll keep that in mind

[@kainbre]

@@MarcoAries. I have a version of helios 44 with native m42 mount as well m39 ;)

[@MarcoAries]

Ah, ok, got it

[@denisrandomtech5822]

Recently i found a Helios 44m-6 and i wonder if it worth to buy it. Helios 44m4 and 44m are great anyway . Minimum focusing distance could be better though. That why i prefer older versions.

[@MarcoAries]

If you already have the -4, I would say you don't need the -6. Unless you're trying to collect them all. I agree about minimum focusing distance.

[@baggerrider8073]

I have a 44M and I mistakenly bought an original snap on lens hood for a 44M-4 thinking it would fit my 44M. My reasoning was that if both lenses have 52mm threads that the outside rim of both lenses would be very similar. Unfortunately I was wrong and it doesn’t fit. It’s actually too small. Can you help me understand how the rim of the 44M-4 could be a smaller diameter and still use the same threaded filter size? I enjoyed your video and the information presented. Thank you.

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks for the support! Well, I never noticed the difference and I would have made the same mistake as you. I don't have them anymore to check, but I would guess the difference is in the thickness of the front rim. They both have 52mm threads on the inside, but the rim itself is thicker on one version. Probably a small difference, but enough that your hood doesn't fit. Although, now that I think about, I did measure the front rim on mines because I was looking for push-on front caps and they were the same size... so it might be an inconsistency in build quality between different factories, where some made the front rim thicker and other thinner. It wouldn't be surprising, considering the poor quality control of these lenses. It's an interesting, even if unfortunate in your case, detail to observe, hopefully other people here in the comments will share their experience and we can learn more about it.

[@baggerrider8073]

@@MarcoAries Thank you for your response. Actually, I plan on adding a 44M-4 to my collection so I should be able to check dimensions. In looking at your video on the two lenses, I did notice as you turned the focusing rings and therefore extend the front of the lenses, the 44M-4 diameter steps down while the 44M does not. I hope to find a good, clean copy of the 44M-4 soon. There are so many out there and it’s difficult to be sure the online seller’s description is accurate.

[@MarcoAries]

Good luck, then!

[@seoulrydr]

I have nothing useful to add, so I thought that I would share the fact that I have nothing useful to add. That being said, I have the old 13 blade version. It's shiny. I think that's enough Helios for me. Thanks for the vid!

[@MarcoAries]

It's one of those lenses that is good to own at least once 😉

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Thanks for putting some light on the Helios. It is confusing with the many models. You can also try the "original" Biotar 58mm f2. I have the CZJ 1953 version and it is one of my favorite lenses. I paid a little more than €100 for it.

[@MarcoAries]

Glad it was of any use! I'd like to try the Biotar, sooner or later.

[@seoulrydr]

It's also shiny!

[@tomaszbejnarowicz]

So they just copied biotar?

[@MarcoAries]

Yep

[@zerlionngo395]

Everyone talk about this lens, so much that it become overpriced tbh. One cost 90-150$ in my country depend on the condition. I would rather snip a Biotar at this rate 🤣

[@MarcoAries]

Damn! And I thought that here in Italy it was expensive at 40€!

[@MrMeflying]

I have 44M-4 it is sharper than 44M.

[@MarcoAries]

Yes, they get progressively sharper

[@PitNeex]

Since their only difference is on the blades number a stop down bokeh balls shape comparison would be the only interesting thing on this VS video...

[@MarcoAries]

Well, not really the only difference. In terms of hardware the bodies, minimum focusing distance and focus throw are different. As for performance, the 44M4 is sharper. ...but it's all in the video, as you saw. I did somehow forget the stopped down boke comparison shots, my bad, but I can tell that the difference is less noticeable than the difference in sharpness.

[@PitNeex]

@@MarcoAries ok maybe I should have said the only difference that can be compared objectively visually, no big deal I made the comment out of curiosity😅, usually in forums people show off the 13 blades stop down, and how round the bokeh balls remain but no one shows the 8 blades version. 44-3 is also another in between 8 bladed lens of the series with many lovers . Anyway, thanks for your videos and the effort you put on them 👍👍👍