For those trying to purchase a Helios: Try to find a silver Helios 44 made in the early 1960's from KMZ optical plant. KMZ was the best factory for lenses in the USSR and they used actual Zeiss glass that was seized from Germany after WWII. A lot of these lenses vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer, not to mention age and storage conditions. The symbol of the factory is printed near the front ring. You can find a list of the symbols online.
Yeah. I can see by the picture on his shop link that the one he bought was from Valdai. Definitely worth paying extra for a KMZ, even more so if you can find a vendor who commits to not oiling the blades.
Is the Helios 44M from KMZ plant also a decent lens? Or is the whole point that the improvements in coatings etc after the 44-2 make the 44-2 so desirable? I have seen a fair few Non valdai lenses so wanted to ask the question.
@@Hix-Designmy 44M from KMZ is excellent. The aperture ring has stops though, so maybe not perfect for video. I mostly film myself on a tripod so the stepped aperture doesn’t bother me much but might be an issue for others.
played around with one a few weeks ago, love the character of the lens, all the imperfections make it really interesting, great video homie. Hope you're doing well
Awesome video Mark! I've been wanting to get this lens for a while, my grandpa gave me his old zeiss-opton lenses and they've quickly become my favourite lenses to film with, they all just have such interesting characteristics! Thanks for this video 👍🏼
my first ever lens, even before I got into photography was a helios 44-m, I got it from my father and I shot one of my all-time favourite photos with it, of my wife and kid just staring at each other after feeding. I love this lens, It's now all beat up, the focus ring is stiff AF and regardless of aperture it's just hazy and "dreamy" (sometimes WAY TOO soft). I'm getting a new one and maybe it'll be the 44-2.
Hey Mark, you're probably aware of them...but there are individual step up filters like 49mm to 77mm. Creating that huge cone of step up rings that keep your ND filter so far from the front element will introduce extra bad flares...just for who doesn't know about them. I loved the video, the Helios 44-2 was my first vintage lens for video and I still use it sometimes! Then I got addicted and I start to buy dozen of great vintage glasses 😂
I bloody love this lens, got mine from etsy and have been playing around with it over the past couple of days. it just makes things happen, so much character!
Mark, I just tried my Helios lens and I’m getting the same flares and artifacts that you showed here. I’m looking forward to using it for real. Thanks for posting this.
Got mine from dad, who bought it waaay back in the 80's. Still a rock solid piece of metal and glass, and works perfectly! I was shooting with Nikon before, and you couldn't get it to focus to infinity, but with Canon body that I now use, the focus works like a charm.
This looks great Mark, it's my birthday on the weekend was waiting out until your competition for the Sony FX3 but I'm on the hunt for one of these now, there are loads to choose from, cheers 🙂
Mate I couldn't agree with you more. I've bought not one but two of this jewels a couple of years ago and still I'm impressed how interesting the image looks. Colors are juicy and intense, contrast is nice and fat, I love it for photography too. I'm so glad you decided to make a video about this little gem ❤
Good stuff! I love my Helios a lot, too. So thick and poetic. I like your urgent/not overly produced tone with this channel, by the way. Thanks for putting the effort into it and making it available for the masses!
This lens and it's "cleaner sister" (Takumar 50mm 1.4) are gorgeous lenses on any system I've brought them forward with. Currently shooting with it on my Pocket 6K and the results are magical. Whoever said "old lenses can't resolve over 4K" are simply being dishonest, or at minimum: ignorant. Also, love your channel, as always.
You are absolutely right Mark. I rather spend $60 on this instead of Uber Eats. Awesome review. How do you counter the yellow cast from these vintage lenses? Or do you just embrace it?
@@ArthurD Comrade, thank you for helping us make the world think there is no more KGB. Thank you for your service. Your salary will come to you in a red envelope this Thursday.
I have this lens as well. Love it very much. But the problem i have is when I need a wider shot, I need to refer back to my modern lens, which is actually produce very different footage. I do hope there is a lens that have the same characteristic with this lens but with wider focal length. Maybe a suggestion?
Yeah I have the 44-4 and absolutely love it. I also have an old vintage sigma 28mm too. My only recommendation to people with these lenses is to get a monitor too. Sometimes it can be hard to see whether you have nailed the focus and although it doesn’t have to be perfect, you want to be able to hit focus perfectly when you need to.
Just adapted my Helios onto my Sigma FP, love this glass. The other big one for me is I just got a Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 medium format and boosted it onto my FP (my very first YT video was on this topic). The character and distinct looks these lenses provide is the exact reason I covet them so much. Loved this, keep up the great content.
The Helios was my first vintage lens and while I don't use it much now, it's always a joy when I come back to it. Lovely lovely results with this little wonder and so cheap - everyone should have one, whether for video or still work.
Man - I like your videos and how you go about things - You know that thing where they say, the edit should be where you cannot even tell it was edited - like, it just naturally flows and feels right, or it just fits without notice - I think thats how your videos are for me. Your personality isn't "Trying" it seems - it's just there lol. Anyhow, you have given me a reason to consider something like this! Thanks, man! God Bless you!
For me here in India most of these lenses are not available. I am more inclined towards Canon FD lenses. Like 50mm f1.4 or even 135mm f2. I think they also have vintage lens characteristics. What you say?
I think I have most incarnations of this lens (approx. 10, from the Helios 44 up to the 44M-7 and some siblings like the Helios 103). I agree, the character of these Helios lenses is fantastic and these lenses are easy to handle and robust like a tank. Everyone must own one of these lenses. Luckily millions were produced. The best version (for me) is clearly the old Helios 44 in silver with 13 blades (from the 50s), which produces a great bokeh even when stopped down a bit. The more modern versions have a better coating but this reduces in several shooting scenarios the vintage character of the lens.
I have 34 helios 44-2 lenses alone without a body and like 20 more on my zenits. I buy them super cheap here on flea markets in super good condition. One zenit with helios is like 3 to 5 euros and just the lens is atound 2- 3 euros. I love it so much i buy them every time i see them.
I use it a lot on my EOS R to have something more smooth and organic to match my C100 mkii footage ! Such an amazing lens ! I just have to add contrast pretty heavily to match my kind of grading. Thanks for sharing Mark, take care !
@@markbone and here is a link for a teaser i shot for a wedding. The Helios is used on the tight interview shots at 1:03 ( i have used a lot of those tight shot in the main wedding edit) ruclips.net/video/3yW8kBfHWnk/видео.html&ab_channel=Rise
Mine gets way better if I close it to F2.5 with contrast while keeping the character and rounded bokeh...your lens doesn't do that? Maybe try to get another copy...
Would you use this lens to mix up with clips shot on other lenses in the same sequence? Or stick to only this lens if you want to use it for a sequence? Curious to try it but want to use my other lenses as well. Makes it jarring maybe to mix it up?
I like how you mentioned the grit that sometimes comes out of this lens. I've never heard anyone else talk about it, but for me it's one of the most prominent characteristics of the lens.
Hey Mark, Have you seen the modified anamorphic version of this lens? I believe it runs for about under $200. It adds even more of that cinematic look to your film if you’re interested in checking it out there are a few reviews on RUclips.
Love your videos man! After seeing your videos, I am developing an interest into Documentary Filmmaking. I have no idea where to start or how to start but watching your videos really gives me good tips and tricks. Keep Going man! And God Bless!
Love the Helios! Looking to get one soon. I shot a live band shoot recently on some other vintage lenses and it came out so rad! Such a great way to bake in great stylizaation.
ahhh SUBBED. Yeah just the type of stuff I am into bro. Way cool. I wanna use my almost 100 year old Cine Kodak 16mm movie camera for this type of thing also and perhaps develop the film in beer or coffee in a bucket. I also wouldn't mind trying a Lomokino. I do have an EOS-M camera with Magic Lantern and I was looking at the 7 Artisans 18mm UFO lens or the Gizmon Utulens or the Helios... hmmmmmm
I own the Helios and I have it acting as a taking lens for my EIKI Anamorphic 16-F 2x lens (anamorphic setup). But personally I prefer my canon fl 55mm f1.2. I don’t hear a lot of people talk about it in general, but man is it a beautiful lens. Shot so many videos on it, and it’s truly a dream.
@@LucaBono.Studio yeah personally I wouldn’t really know, my Helios is attached to EIKI Anamorphic 16-F 2x, in editing I do all the work to make it look how I want, and I shoot in a flat profile. So it could be true, but I wouldn’t really know.
Very nice lens indeed! Mine is quite scratchy and has a lot of wiggle, but it still makes nice images. I have the type 5 Belomo. I also recommend Retro Foto House's review: Helios 44-2 lens. Ultimate buying guide. Part of whats causing these crazy flares, is a metal ring inside which has not been blackened.
I'm glad that I got mine b4 the price went up. I bought 1 last year I think for around $25 and it built like a tank. I use it for my Sony a6300 and my fujifilm xt1. You can search Amazon for them as well they're ranging from $50-$250, I've seen ppl add cine gears to them as well.
Hey Mark - I got myself one of these badboys a few month ago and love it. I use it on a XT3 and think it works better on a fullframe camera like yours. One tip in regards of filters - I bought a single step-up-ring to use it more convenient - like a 52-82.. you could also geht a cap for it then and leave it like that. Love the characteristics and your review on it ❤️
I always stop mine down to 2.8 (Bokeh still circle) and put a rubber band around it. Takes that over-hazing effect down and makes it very sharp. Just looks and feel cinematic. I also got a 44M which has a click aperture, less rounded blades, heavy like Russian tank, adds a tad bit of rusty color (not radioactive) to the image and is a bit more controlled wide open, but still lots of character. Great video! Great advice!
Hi, aperture is not loose. There is a preset ring at the front of the lens and the apeture moves freely from wide open to preset. A feature designed to allow composition wide open and manually shut the diaphragm in a split second. But you are right, these lenses have character.
amazing lens! This came on an old and cheap Zenit. You can get Zenit cameras on Chile for something like 20 or 30 dollars. I have some Helios and some of them have hexagonal bokeh and other circular and sharp bokeh. A must!
This is why I buy scratched up lenses and damaged lenses sometimes it adds real cool characters to the lens and you can buy the lens for like two bucks
I've recently taken to collecting old Pentax K mount lenses to adapt onto my Panasonic S5. Because the lenses are super cheap, and they're also super cheap to adapt over to an L mount. It makes for some interesting character options using vintage lenses in general, and is a good way to learn what you value in terms of lens selection and limitations as a cinematographer. I don't know that there's any perfect or best vintage lens to play around with out there, but I do think if you're starting out and trying to get a feel for the language of lenses spending $200 dollars picking up a vintage series of old lenses will get you much further along in your journey than buying any one modern lens.
haha saw it and just had to have that lens, bought it straight away. Really inspirational videos Mark. For the first time in a while I really feel like I can learn something, thanks for that!
Haha, I got this lens about a year ago on a whim in a charity shop for £5! Add in an adapter and I had a winner for £13, best bargain of my life!! Really recommend this to anyone, whether on a budget or not!
When the Sony a7III first cam out it was the first lens I got. it has been with me ever since on every photo or video shoot I've done. I want the full Iron Glass Russian rehoused lens set.
Love my Helios for photo and video. I’ve been considering scooping up the iron glass version. Faster movement can really make the scene feel dream like or out of body.
revision of the same lens, not better or worse, sample variation is greater than the difference between variants like 44-2 44-3 44m-4 44m-5 even tho later ones probably have better coatings, same optical formula for all 44 series, minor changes in housings and possibly coatings and thats it.i am shocked that people are getting hyped over it, yeah it is really good and you should own one but it is already everywhere, i guess the states dont have as much helios' floating around compared to europe or russia
I cannot wait to get a Helios with a pl mount from iron glass and pair it with my sony system! I've been drooling over this lens for far to long. I am gonna purchase from them because they will add the pl mount, gears and add a coating that prevents the veiling, but keeps the flares. I would love to get it rehoused, but I don't have that kind of money for vintage lenses.
@@O4KAST thanks for the reply! At this point, I own a tokina 28mm f2.8 and fujica 28mm f3.5, both old photo lenses adapted to my BMP4K through the Metabones .71, they produce a nice image. still, they become around 40mm which is not wide enough. I am looking for something that ends up as a 24mm on my mft sensor. but apparently fast lenses around 16mm only entered the game through Laowas contemporary wide primes, right?
daaaamn finally found someone who digs soviet lenses, I am an owner of a MIR-24M 35mm f2 (+the extra poisonous coating), but never thought of the haze could be used so creatively!
The first 2 numbers of the serial number is the year of manufacture on Soviet lenses and cameras. I have a 1971 Helios 58mm f2 4- 2 which I inherited from my father in law.
I own like 4 of those, you can get those here for around 2 USD. I had some more which I modified the aperture and gifted/sold. Swirl bokeh on those is awesome.
Damn please send me one, here in Russia they cost around a hundred bucks 😢 I got one from my mom but it is 44k which is different and there’s no adapter for my camera for this, cause its a newer version of these which is suitable for pentax without an adapter but cant be used with my canon
I really don’t need to spend more money, but...ah! This is super cool. I love your thoughts on “character” - I think that applies to so many things. I always learn so much from these videos!
Is there a wide angle with the same characteristics? This wedding season I’m planing to film a few small weddings with me Pentax vintage lenses. I also get a mint Helios the other day
I just got myself a Zenit 122 + Helios 44m-2 58mm for R$350,00 in Brazil ($68). It might be a little bit different, but, I got a few test shots on my APS-C camera (SL2) and it was looking good. Hopefully in the near future I'll have a camera that will take better advantage of this vintage glass. Great video, Mark!
I bought one of these just for lens whacking but it very quickly became my favourite lens for video and photography, and i picked it up for less than £50 here in the UK on ebay
And that's why I'm staying with micro 4/3 (BMPCC4K), because I can use the amazing f0.95 Voigtlanders that have amazing character and swirly bokeh wide open, but closed down they get really sharp. Especially the 17.5mm and 42.5mm.
I do have 2 of them ..Helios 44-4 58 mm and 44-2 58mm and bot are fantastic piece of equipment. The only proble that I do have that there is no good adapter for the nikon in order to enable the infinity focus.. more than 3 metres away.. and everything finished. And more, this is the Soviet copy of a German Lens that in the end end up with its own nice characteristics.
Got mine for $17 or so, already with canon adapter. However, mine has loose aperture and focus. And mine makes everything warm with a green tint. (BTW, it's Soviet, not necessary Russian 😄)
Love my Helios. I don't use it as much as I probably should? Probably because it's a manual focus. I bought mine on eBay and it was modified with 'cine gears'.
I have a Panasonic G7 and I really want this lens but I understand I need a converter. What kind of converter would I need and would I need a speed booster as well?
Mark, I’m starting a documentary TODAY and I’m using this lens. I’m debating on wether I should shoot wide open or not. My main character is an old school cowboy, so I’m wanting the overall look to be a little softer like an old western. I’m worried that for the interviews the softness might be distracting. Any opinions?
Hello mark, thank you for covering this lens. Would you recommend an affordable tt artisan lens for my sony a5100. Please not that these are manual Focus lenses. Which one would you recommend 23mm 1.4 or 35mm 1.2/1.4 for video on apsc? Sorry for the long question. You got yourself a new subscriber
I just bought the Z Cam E2-S6 Super 35 6K Cinema Camera (EF Mount). I would like to use my vintage Helios 44-2 58MM lens on it. Which lens adapter could I use?
I have one to :D Its a little bit to much for me. Sometime completely ruins my shoot. If you like vintage organic look you need one, but i want find a more contrasty and a sharper near to 50mm focal lenght vintage with easy adapt to EF mount :D Thanks for the content Mark!
Bought one for photography. Spent less than 30 on mine, it's nowhere close to perfect but it's awesome to use. Haven't done any video with it but that might need to change.
It feels crazy how much the price of these lenses has been going up. I got my first Helios for under $20 and the second I got for free from a friend. IIRC I later sold both because I got tired of them. Now people are setting these for $50 to $70 depending on the model. I think it's still a great lens and beats more modern cheap plastic primes in quality.
For those trying to purchase a Helios: Try to find a silver Helios 44 made in the early 1960's from KMZ optical plant. KMZ was the best factory for lenses in the USSR and they used actual Zeiss glass that was seized from Germany after WWII.
A lot of these lenses vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer, not to mention age and storage conditions. The symbol of the factory is printed near the front ring. You can find a list of the symbols online.
Yeah. I can see by the picture on his shop link that the one he bought was from Valdai. Definitely worth paying extra for a KMZ, even more so if you can find a vendor who commits to not oiling the blades.
Is the Helios 44M from KMZ plant also a decent lens? Or is the whole point that the improvements in coatings etc after the 44-2 make the 44-2 so desirable? I have seen a fair few Non valdai lenses so wanted to ask the question.
@@Hix-Designmy 44M from KMZ is excellent. The aperture ring has stops though, so maybe not perfect for video. I mostly film myself on a tripod so the stepped aperture doesn’t bother me much but might be an issue for others.
KMZ and MMZ .... are the best .... Valdai some have flaws but it depends of a lot of things i have a MMZ one and is real good
played around with one a few weeks ago, love the character of the lens, all the imperfections make it really interesting, great video homie. Hope you're doing well
I saw that you had one! Loved seeing the swirly bokeh!
WHERE MY HELIOS USERS AT?! (Also: Look out for next weeks video as we'll be announcing the gimbal giveaway!)
Awesome video Mark! I've been wanting to get this lens for a while, my grandpa gave me his old zeiss-opton lenses and they've quickly become my favourite lenses to film with, they all just have such interesting characteristics! Thanks for this video 👍🏼
Is helios crew coming?
my first ever lens, even before I got into photography was a helios 44-m, I got it from my father and I shot one of my all-time favourite photos with it, of my wife and kid just staring at each other after feeding. I love this lens, It's now all beat up, the focus ring is stiff AF and regardless of aperture it's just hazy and "dreamy" (sometimes WAY TOO soft). I'm getting a new one and maybe it'll be the 44-2.
Helios is such a classic. Also love pairing it with an anamorphic adapter to get some really neat stylized footage
Check
Hey Mark, you're probably aware of them...but there are individual step up filters like 49mm to 77mm. Creating that huge cone of step up rings that keep your ND filter so far from the front element will introduce extra bad flares...just for who doesn't know about them.
I loved the video, the Helios 44-2 was my first vintage lens for video and I still use it sometimes! Then I got addicted and I start to buy dozen of great vintage glasses 😂
Which cheap lens for a sony FS7 - S35 would you recommend?
As soon as I saw that first shot, I knew what the lens was. So unique. If you have a bit more money to spend, there’s an 85mm with more swirl too.
I bloody love this lens, got mine from etsy and have been playing around with it over the past couple of days. it just makes things happen, so much character!
Mark, I just tried my Helios lens and I’m getting the same flares and artifacts that you showed here. I’m looking forward to using it for real. Thanks for posting this.
Got mine from dad, who bought it waaay back in the 80's. Still a rock solid piece of metal and glass, and works perfectly! I was shooting with Nikon before, and you couldn't get it to focus to infinity, but with Canon body that I now use, the focus works like a charm.
I think you can buy m42 to nikon f mount with built in glass to get infinity for modern dslr
@@changeyrmind Yeah, you can, but the ones I had absolutely destroyed the image, so it was basicly useless to me.
@@timovehkaoja oh ok, good to know
@@changeyrmind Yeah, I was very disappointed to the result I got with that adapter.
Just looked through my dad's old lenses and wow, I already have one. Need to get a converter 😁
Dude Fotiox the with with the blue appature ring is pretty good and it’s 39 dollars.
Might have issues adapting to some cameras like Nikon or cannon
@@jeffbusha nope have one and it works perfectly, don't know what you did wrong
@@dubstepzsi could you use this adapter on a z cam camera too?
This looks great Mark, it's my birthday on the weekend was waiting out until your competition for the Sony FX3 but I'm on the hunt for one of these now, there are loads to choose from, cheers 🙂
Mate I couldn't agree with you more. I've bought not one but two of this jewels a couple of years ago and still I'm impressed how interesting the image looks. Colors are juicy and intense, contrast is nice and fat, I love it for photography too. I'm so glad you decided to make a video about this little gem ❤
Good stuff! I love my Helios a lot, too. So thick and poetic.
I like your urgent/not overly produced tone with this channel, by the way. Thanks for putting the effort into it and making it available for the masses!
This lens and it's "cleaner sister" (Takumar 50mm 1.4) are gorgeous lenses on any system I've brought them forward with. Currently shooting with it on my Pocket 6K and the results are magical. Whoever said "old lenses can't resolve over 4K" are simply being dishonest, or at minimum: ignorant.
Also, love your channel, as always.
Be careful, as far as i know - takumar is radioactive due to lens "coating".
You are absolutely right Mark.
I rather spend $60 on this instead of Uber Eats.
Awesome review.
How do you counter the yellow cast from these vintage lenses? Or do you just embrace it?
Hello from Russia, comrade! KGB officers are happy with this video. We will transfer the promised money today.
lol
😂😂😂
As much as I hate to be a party pooper, KGB does not exist in Russia anymore. Also, where are jokes about the State Dept?
@@ArthurD Comrade, thank you for helping us make the world think there is no more KGB. Thank you for your service. Your salary will come to you in a red envelope this Thursday.
😂😂😂😂
I have this lens as well. Love it very much. But the problem i have is when I need a wider shot, I need to refer back to my modern lens, which is actually produce very different footage. I do hope there is a lens that have the same characteristic with this lens but with wider focal length. Maybe a suggestion?
The MiR 1b is a 37mm f2.8 that matches with the Helios 44-2.
I should make a video about it ahahah!
Zenitar 2,8/16 fisheye is also a good Soviet lens
@@LucaBono.Studio you should! Lots of people and me will find it very useful for sure
@@davidgfisher oh yes I heard lots of good thing about MIR. Will definitely check that out thanks!
@@FerryPrima Ok I'll make it in the upcoming weeks! I'm a bit busy moving to another house at the moment ahahah
Yeah I have the 44-4 and absolutely love it. I also have an old vintage sigma 28mm too. My only recommendation to people with these lenses is to get a monitor too. Sometimes it can be hard to see whether you have nailed the focus and although it doesn’t have to be perfect, you want to be able to hit focus perfectly when you need to.
True, the monitor or a great EVF is mandatory with them
You may use your phone or ipad with an app of your camera, thats what I do for any lens when needed
I love mine!!! It makes for some rad photos too. Shooting with a camera with IBIS is so much fun.
Just adapted my Helios onto my Sigma FP, love this glass. The other big one for me is I just got a Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 medium format and boosted it onto my FP (my very first YT video was on this topic). The character and distinct looks these lenses provide is the exact reason I covet them so much. Loved this, keep up the great content.
thanks brother, I'll go check out your Mamiya video!
Great vid! I own this lens too, check if you have some kind of fungus on your copy, the "overflare" might be caused by that
The Helios was my first vintage lens and while I don't use it much now, it's always a joy when I come back to it. Lovely lovely results with this little wonder and so cheap - everyone should have one, whether for video or still work.
Man - I like your videos and how you go about things -
You know that thing where they say, the edit should be where you cannot even tell it was edited - like, it just naturally flows and feels right, or it just fits without notice - I think thats how your videos are for me. Your personality isn't "Trying" it seems - it's just there lol.
Anyhow, you have given me a reason to consider something like this! Thanks, man! God Bless you!
Thank you Caleb! These are such kind words!
For me here in India most of these lenses are not available.
I am more inclined towards Canon FD lenses. Like 50mm f1.4 or even 135mm f2.
I think they also have vintage lens characteristics. What you say?
I think I have most incarnations of this lens (approx. 10, from the Helios 44 up to the 44M-7 and some siblings like the Helios 103). I agree, the character of these Helios lenses is fantastic and these lenses are easy to handle and robust like a tank. Everyone must own one of these lenses. Luckily millions were produced. The best version (for me) is clearly the old Helios 44 in silver with 13 blades (from the 50s), which produces a great bokeh even when stopped down a bit. The more modern versions have a better coating but this reduces in several shooting scenarios the vintage character of the lens.
I have 34 helios 44-2 lenses alone without a body and like 20 more on my zenits. I buy them super cheap here on flea markets in super good condition. One zenit with helios is like 3 to 5 euros and just the lens is atound 2- 3 euros. I love it so much i buy them every time i see them.
I use it a lot on my EOS R to have something more smooth and organic to match my C100 mkii footage !
Such an amazing lens !
I just have to add contrast pretty heavily to match my kind of grading.
Thanks for sharing Mark, take care !
So sick! Would love to see a link to any of your footage!!
@@markbone sure, here is a video where i explain how i shoot
ruclips.net/video/VXE7dQnY8UQ/видео.html&s&ab_channel=Rise
@@markbone and here is a link for a teaser i shot for a wedding.
The Helios is used on the tight interview shots at 1:03 ( i have used a lot of those tight shot in the main wedding edit)
ruclips.net/video/3yW8kBfHWnk/видео.html&ab_channel=Rise
Mine gets way better if I close it to F2.5 with contrast while keeping the character and rounded bokeh...your lens doesn't do that? Maybe try to get another copy...
Would you use this lens to mix up with clips shot on other lenses in the same sequence? Or stick to only this lens if you want to use it for a sequence? Curious to try it but want to use my other lenses as well. Makes it jarring maybe to mix it up?
I like how you mentioned the grit that sometimes comes out of this lens. I've never heard anyone else talk about it, but for me it's one of the most prominent characteristics of the lens.
I bought 1 for under 40 euros with a Zenit camera incl. shipping this week.
really inspiring video and so good to watch a visual person talk about image creation and it not be the latest kit review.
Hey Mark,
Have you seen the modified anamorphic version of this lens? I believe it runs for about under $200. It adds even more of that cinematic look to your film if you’re interested in checking it out there are a few reviews on RUclips.
Love your videos man! After seeing your videos, I am developing an interest into Documentary Filmmaking. I have no idea where to start or how to start but watching your videos really gives me good tips and tricks. Keep Going man! And God Bless!
Thanks Franz! So exciting to hear you're interested in documentary. This is the right channel for you!
Love the Helios! Looking to get one soon. I shot a live band shoot recently on some other vintage lenses and it came out so rad! Such a great way to bake in great stylizaation.
ahhh SUBBED. Yeah just the type of stuff I am into bro. Way cool. I wanna use my almost 100 year old Cine Kodak 16mm movie camera for this type of thing also and perhaps develop the film in beer or coffee in a bucket. I also wouldn't mind trying a Lomokino. I do have an EOS-M camera with Magic Lantern and I was looking at the 7 Artisans 18mm UFO lens or the Gizmon Utulens or the Helios... hmmmmmm
If u like that lens u might also like one of my favs which is SLR Magics 24mm 0.94 ...But imma try the helios too cause it reminds me of it
Love the Lens! I have been testing it for over a year now and it feels so retro and 70's to me. Thanks for sharing the love.
I own the Helios and I have it acting as a taking lens for my EIKI Anamorphic 16-F 2x lens (anamorphic setup). But personally I prefer my canon fl 55mm f1.2. I don’t hear a lot of people talk about it in general, but man is it a beautiful lens. Shot so many videos on it, and it’s truly a dream.
The main problem of the Helios is the lack of colour saturation...the premium vintage lenses are way better, like the one you have!
@@LucaBono.Studio yeah personally I wouldn’t really know, my Helios is attached to EIKI Anamorphic 16-F 2x, in editing I do all the work to make it look how I want, and I shoot in a flat profile. So it could be true, but I wouldn’t really know.
Using stepup rings to accommodate your ND and CPL is economical but distance between the lens front optic and filter has consequences
Interesting. How do you feel about matte boxes the
What are the consequences?
Very nice lens indeed! Mine is quite scratchy and has a lot of wiggle, but it still makes nice images. I have the type 5 Belomo. I also recommend Retro Foto House's review: Helios 44-2 lens. Ultimate buying guide.
Part of whats causing these crazy flares, is a metal ring inside which has not been blackened.
I'm glad that I got mine b4 the price went up. I bought 1 last year I think for around $25 and it built like a tank. I use it for my Sony a6300 and my fujifilm xt1. You can search Amazon for them as well they're ranging from $50-$250, I've seen ppl add cine gears to them as well.
Hey Mark - I got myself one of these badboys a few month ago and love it. I use it on a XT3 and think it works better on a fullframe camera like yours. One tip in regards of filters - I bought a single step-up-ring to use it more convenient - like a 52-82.. you could also geht a cap for it then and leave it like that. Love the characteristics and your review on it ❤️
I always stop mine down to 2.8 (Bokeh still circle) and put a rubber band around it. Takes that over-hazing effect down and makes it very sharp. Just looks and feel cinematic. I also got a 44M which has a click aperture, less rounded blades, heavy like Russian tank, adds a tad bit of rusty color (not radioactive) to the image and is a bit more controlled wide open, but still lots of character. Great video! Great advice!
I’ll have to check out the 44M!
Hi, aperture is not loose. There is a preset ring at the front of the lens and the apeture moves freely from wide open to preset. A feature designed to allow composition wide open and manually shut the diaphragm in a split second. But you are right, these lenses have character.
amazing lens! This came on an old and cheap Zenit. You can get Zenit cameras on Chile for something like 20 or 30 dollars. I have some Helios and some of them have hexagonal bokeh and other circular and sharp bokeh. A must!
Do you also recommend it for APS-C users? Since you have less of that swirley bokeh with smaller sensor.
I saw this on Kijiji the other day and didn't pull the trigger. I will now! I also have an old Minolta that is nice too shoot with too.
Mine came with a “distressed” front element and coating virtually removed courtesy of the Russian seller on eBay. “Mint!” Makes lovely flares.
This is why I buy scratched up lenses and damaged lenses sometimes it adds real cool characters to the lens and you can buy the lens for like two bucks
where for 2 bucks?
@@DIGIHENDRIX300 thrift stores eBay camera shops auction them off
@@HelamanGile bless lol
2:10 How does the lens make affect depth of field? Isn't it just focal length, aperture and subject distance (and sensor size to a small extent)?
Ok Mark... you got me. Been meaning to buy this for like 3 years. Just ordered. Sweet shots.
Love the look of this lens! The Chinon 55mm f/1.7 is cheap and also produces some pretty sexy swirly bokeh - it’s one of my go-to lenses.
Also Chinon 50mm 1.7 produces some nice shots and is one of my favorite lenses
I just bought one- excited to use it.
My go to lens for the past year, the way it makes neon lights look is also top notch.
sick! can't wait to use it with neon lights
I have some of these, found years ago at fora markets in east europe. Also an M6 which does not overflare but swirls a bit less
I've recently taken to collecting old Pentax K mount lenses to adapt onto my Panasonic S5. Because the lenses are super cheap, and they're also super cheap to adapt over to an L mount. It makes for some interesting character options using vintage lenses in general, and is a good way to learn what you value in terms of lens selection and limitations as a cinematographer. I don't know that there's any perfect or best vintage lens to play around with out there, but I do think if you're starting out and trying to get a feel for the language of lenses spending $200 dollars picking up a vintage series of old lenses will get you much further along in your journey than buying any one modern lens.
Can you help please how to mount this Helios 44-2 on L mount?
haha saw it and just had to have that lens, bought it straight away. Really inspirational videos Mark. For the first time in a while I really feel like I can learn something, thanks for that!
Haha, I got this lens about a year ago on a whim in a charity shop for £5! Add in an adapter and I had a winner for £13, best bargain of my life!! Really recommend this to anyone, whether on a budget or not!
Insane deal!! Well done
When the Sony a7III first cam out it was the first lens I got. it has been with me ever since on every photo or video shoot I've done. I want the full Iron Glass Russian rehoused lens set.
Love my Helios for photo and video. I’ve been considering scooping up the iron glass version. Faster movement can really make the scene feel dream like or out of body.
me too! I'll be buying the iron glass version real soon
I accidently got the 44-4 instead a few months ago but I still love it. I just did an engagement shoot and my favorite shot was with that lens.
revision of the same lens, not better or worse, sample variation is greater than the difference between variants like 44-2 44-3 44m-4 44m-5 even tho later ones probably have better coatings, same optical formula for all 44 series, minor changes in housings and possibly coatings and thats it.i am shocked that people are getting hyped over it, yeah it is really good and you should own one but it is already everywhere, i guess the states dont have as much helios' floating around compared to europe or russia
I cannot wait to get a Helios with a pl mount from iron glass and pair it with my sony system! I've been drooling over this lens for far to long.
I am gonna purchase from them because they will add the pl mount, gears and add a coating that prevents the veiling, but keeps the flares. I would love to get it rehoused, but I don't have that kind of money for vintage lenses.
The Helios 44 adapted for M43 can rock your world.
Any suggestions for M42 wide angle lenses to accompany the Helios 44 on a M43 Mount?
@@Chokoman55 German wide pentacons are nice, also mir 1 and wide takumars
Don't overpay for any of those, they're really cheap
@@O4KAST thanks for the reply!
At this point, I own a tokina 28mm f2.8 and fujica 28mm f3.5, both old photo lenses adapted to my BMP4K through the Metabones .71, they produce a nice image. still, they become around 40mm which is not wide enough. I am looking for something that ends up as a 24mm on my mft sensor. but apparently fast lenses around 16mm only entered the game through Laowas contemporary wide primes, right?
@@Chokoman55 well, the only cheap ultrawide fisheye I know of is a russian m42 zenitar 16mm f2.8
Should set you back around 70$
daaaamn finally found someone who digs soviet lenses, I am an owner of a MIR-24M 35mm f2 (+the extra poisonous coating), but never thought of the haze could be used so creatively!
What's the minimum focus distance of that MiR? My MiR 1b has 70cm...it's far!
@@LucaBono.Studio good question, just tried it on micro four thirds and it seems to be at around 30-35cm? sorry, can't really measure this accurately
@@unclejerry486 Thanks, that's way better, I'll look for that lens then!
What’s the extra poisonous coating?
The first 2 numbers of the serial number is the year of manufacture on Soviet lenses and cameras.
I have a 1971 Helios 58mm f2 4- 2 which I inherited from my father in law.
Finally sprung for one of these mostly because of the flare examples in this video! Ya I know the swirly bokeh...but the flaring is amazing! Thanks
I'm literally waiting for this EXACT lense to arrive. I'm so pumped!
I love my vintage lens. It also taught me to not rely on auto focus.
Yes have 2 of them, one 7 blade and the other 13 blade. Both are great on GH6
It's such a cool lens - I've used it for my wedding videos as well - looks amazing :)
I own like 4 of those, you can get those here for around 2 USD. I had some more which I modified the aperture and gifted/sold. Swirl bokeh on those is awesome.
Damn please send me one, here in Russia they cost around a hundred bucks 😢 I got one from my mom but it is 44k which is different and there’s no adapter for my camera for this, cause its a newer version of these which is suitable for pentax without an adapter but cant be used with my canon
@@hamfromburger I only got two left by now. But considering inflation here went up like 300% or more in the past three years, its gonna be tough.
Thanks for the video, Mark. How can I use this lens on a Panasonic G9 or GH4? Am I looking for an M42 to micro 4/3 adapter, and that's it?
I really don’t need to spend more money, but...ah! This is super cool. I love your thoughts on “character” - I think that applies to so many things. I always learn so much from these videos!
Is there a wide angle with the same characteristics? This wedding season I’m planing to film a few small weddings with me Pentax vintage lenses. I also get a mint Helios the other day
I just got myself a Zenit 122 + Helios 44m-2 58mm for R$350,00 in Brazil ($68). It might be a little bit different, but, I got a few test shots on my APS-C camera (SL2) and it was looking good. Hopefully in the near future I'll have a camera that will take better advantage of this vintage glass. Great video, Mark!
I owned that exact lens. What aperture do you usually shoot at? Mine is really soft wide open. F4 is usually where I feel is the most sharp.
I bought one of these just for lens whacking but it very quickly became my favourite lens for video and photography, and i picked it up for less than £50 here in the UK on ebay
I use Helios 135 mm f 2.8 on sony a6500, what a lens!
I have the IronGlass and standard 58. Love these lenses, they definitely have character! Nice review.
Yes they do! I'm buying some Ironglass also!
$6 on eBay! but it says m42 for pentax, fuji, etc. Is that fine? m42 may be the thread and the lens build different, or not at all?
And that's why I'm staying with micro 4/3 (BMPCC4K), because I can use the amazing f0.95 Voigtlanders that have amazing character and swirly bokeh wide open, but closed down they get really sharp. Especially the 17.5mm and 42.5mm.
How do I connect it to a Fuji X-t3? First time needing to adapt anything and this lens look interesting !
I do have 2 of them ..Helios 44-4 58 mm and 44-2 58mm and bot are fantastic piece of equipment. The only proble that I do have that there is no good adapter for the nikon in order to enable the infinity focus.. more than 3 metres away.. and everything finished.
And more, this is the Soviet copy of a German Lens that in the end end up with its own nice characteristics.
Got mine for $17 or so, already with canon adapter. However, mine has loose aperture and focus.
And mine makes everything warm with a green tint.
(BTW, it's Soviet, not necessary Russian 😄)
Search Google for "fix loose focus on helios 44-2". Mine was the same and I had to tighten the little screws. Worked great.
This lens with an Tiffen Filter is just amazing.
I've got the 44M. Not sure what the big difference is.
I actually got mine in a cine version, beast of a lens that's for sure.
Did you do the Iron Glass rehouse? Thinking about getting this for narrative feature.
@La Dionerie can you kindly share the link to the cine version
I didn't got mine from Iron Glass but actually from Retro Foto House, great service & communication. You can check him out on ebay.
What is cine version?
Love my Helios. I don't use it as much as I probably should? Probably because it's a manual focus. I bought mine on eBay and it was modified with 'cine gears'.
Nice to see Zach opening the video!!
yeah!!
FUN FACT! Old vintage russian iron glass conversions were used on THE BATMAN....Inc the Helios 44-2.
I have a Panasonic G7 and I really want this lens but I understand I need a converter. What kind of converter would I need and would I need a speed booster as well?
Mark, I’m starting a documentary TODAY and I’m using this lens. I’m debating on wether I should shoot wide open or not. My main character is an old school cowboy, so I’m wanting the overall look to be a little softer like an old western. I’m worried that for the interviews the softness might be distracting. Any opinions?
Hello mark, thank you for covering this lens. Would you recommend an affordable tt artisan lens for my sony a5100. Please not that these are manual Focus lenses.
Which one would you recommend 23mm 1.4 or 35mm 1.2/1.4 for video on apsc?
Sorry for the long question. You got yourself a new subscriber
I just bought the Z Cam E2-S6 Super 35 6K Cinema Camera (EF Mount). I would like to use my vintage Helios 44-2 58MM lens on it. Which lens adapter could I use?
I have been eyeballing this lens for awhile! Just ordered one! Your videos are awesome, love your approach, keep it up!
Just got mine after a month of waiting. Paid around $50 on etsy and it looks like new. Can't wait to try it out.
I have one to :D Its a little bit to much for me. Sometime completely ruins my shoot. If you like vintage organic look you need one, but i want find a more contrasty and a sharper near to 50mm focal lenght vintage with easy adapt to EF mount :D Thanks for the content Mark!
Helios lenses are fun to use, got one for 30€ on eBay, perfect condition. Just a bit tricky to use in video with an X-T3 without stabilization
Awesome video as always.
I'd love to see video about your collection of vintage lenses. Maybe an idea for a feature video?
Stay safe
Bought one for photography. Spent less than 30 on mine, it's nowhere close to perfect but it's awesome to use. Haven't done any video with it but that might need to change.
It feels crazy how much the price of these lenses has been going up. I got my first Helios for under $20 and the second I got for free from a friend. IIRC I later sold both because I got tired of them. Now people are setting these for $50 to $70 depending on the model.
I think it's still a great lens and beats more modern cheap plastic primes in quality.
This lens can only be used by Sony cameras? or you can use it with adaptors to others like Canon or Nikon?
Thanks Mark all these tips!