Helios 44-2 58mm F/2 - Review
The Helios 44-2 is a 58mm Russian prime lens Manufactured from 1958 until 1992 (more recently the reproduced 40-2 85mm F/2). The optical design and formula are based on the Zeiss Biotar 58/2, it is thought the design and optical formula were taken from the Russian occupied Germany after WWII. Since the introduction in 1958, the Helios 44-2 and other Helios lenses alike were subject to mass production. I have a couple of these lenses and image quality and colour rendering does differ slightly, due to manufacturing techniques and QC changing from the 50's to 90's (among other things).
Features
F/2.0 maximum Aperture
Swirly Bokeh
Nice Image quality for a cheap lens
Vintage colour rendering
Tech Specs
Focal Distance - 58mm
Optical Formula - 6 elements in 4 groups.
Aperture Range - f/2 - f/16
Angle of View - 40°28
Minimum Focusing Distance - 0.7 m
Helios-44-2 - M49x0.75
Lens Mount - m42 thread
Helios-44-2 weight - 0.23 kg
Personalised test charts in a controlled environment for image sharpness - nothing else. none of the following photo's have been post-processed in any way - no output sharpening.
As I started testing lenses for my own information (whether or not that 1.2 Canon really produces a higher overall image quality then a $50 helios) I did not do true 100% crops, Just enough to show Image sharpness differences. They are Not a representation on a pixel level, but enough to show image quality. With the representation of the first image, you can see how much cropping has been done to zoom into the centre of the map.
This lens in terms of sharpness and contrast wide open is one of my lesser performers, but even then it's one of my favourite lenses to use and extremely easy to get focus (what focus it has wide open). Personally I think the sharpness of an image can be over rated, why do i need a tack sharp 36.1mp file anyway? Will i ever upload the full potential to the internet? or a compressed 4mb jpeg, Do i zoom in 300% after every shot i take and critique its overall edge to edge contrast / quality? probably not, but its good to know what a lens can do, if you're happy with the images and enjoy using the lens, then thats about all you need.
As you can see from the Silver Helios 44-2 (PN# 82241025) that I have, The centre sharpness of the image starts being respectable at around F/2.8 and continues to get better through the range to F/11 The edge doesn't become useful until around F/8, saying that, edge to edge sharpness might not affect your style of photography or the intended use of this lens. I have shot couple portrait shoots with the helios with varying results, being a vintage lens with its own personal style, sharpness on the edges can be overlooked.
I still love this lens and it's always fun to shoot with.
