If I remember correctly, the company/factory that took over the production of the original KMZ Helios lense started to cut costs, causing the quality to go down over the years. The washed out look you're getting with your lense is due to having too much oil on the aperture blades. This was a common problem with that era of production. The earlier models never had this problem.
It's good to know that western videographers also appreciated Soviet lenses for artistic shoots! Привет из России! In my city, these lenses sell for about $40 :D p.s. we have so many variations of helios lenses. There are also such cool lenses as the 35mm MIR, and different variations of the JUPITER, which are the most rare lenses
I have a very early first edition 44-2 ( and the door stop body it came mated to), no oil issues, works like a charm. I've had it since 1979 and it was given to me by the original purchaser who picked it up in the early 70's. It's great for photography and locked down filming. Pulling focus is not easy but I understand many are rigging them for cinefocus.
I can't place this lens exactly, the serial number and series is weird. I think it could be a an early 50's version ( the first iterations were 1949), it could be this one came from my a realative returning from ww2. As I understand it (via Simon Utak) the first 1949 iterations had 17 blades and they experimented with it from that point.@@TimmyLodhi
Nice video. But from what I see at 0:21 you got the Valdai version, which is the latest and (not according to me) the lowest quality ones. You can see this by the little logo besides the glass. These versions are also the cheapest ($30 or less). I suggest you get a KMZ (first version, M39 mount, Zenit logo) or the BeLOMO version which logo looks like a hamburger. Me myself I'll try the Belomo version first (around $50) and if I like it I might get the KMZ one just because it will increase its value as time passes by. All the best to you.
I picked up an old Russian lens modded for E mount and had lots of the same issues and totally can't use if for anything commercial. It is fun for playing around with artsy stuff and lens whacking, though.
oh my god, what a coincidence, I just recently doing some research about this lens, and about to buy it. Some said this lens was used in Batman film. This lens also fits to mod as fake anamorphic, as its swirly bokeh very unique + oval bokeh produced from anamorphic. Anyway great video Timmy, you NAILED the color grading as always, and you make this lens looks 100x expensive than its price.
Haha thank you for the kind words! I’d be shocked if they used this lens in the Batman but there are plenty of other high-end vintage lenses that’ll give you a similar but more refined lens. I’d be very interested in seeing the anamorphic mod!
I've been toying with the idea of a vintage lens for so long and you and a bunch of others have convinced me with this one. would you please be able to drop down the name and link of the adapter that you used for this lens? Thank you!!
Just discovered your channel! Congrats on the recent milestone. Really great content. I'm a big fan of this lens as well. I've paired it with both the Bmpcc4k and the Sigma fp so far, but I haven't really captured THAT much with in comparison to say my vintage Nikkor 35mm f/2. This video has inspired me to go back and shoot with it again. Thanks!
I have an early version of this lens. It has 13 blades and the red "P". Problem is that the serial number is not the standard "first two numbers is the year of production" serial number. Mine is 0020692. Does anyone know the year of my lens?
A bit of an out of nowhere question, but I've found someone selling an almost brand new a6000 and 18-105 f/4 G master for $800 AUD, curious if you have used this lens, and if you think pricing wise it would be a good buy, the plan would be to try and sell the a6000 as I already have an a6300 and most likely use the 8 master to replace my kit lens, but unsure if f/4 would be too slow, cheers!
A lot going on here and I’m unfamiliar with that lens so probably not the best to ask. I will say that the a6300 is a pretty good camera and I shoot on a f/4 lens almost 90% of the time and it rocks
You won't get the exact same effect. A huge thing that seperates this lens from others is the natural vignetting around the edges, the oval-shaped bokeh, and the focus roll off.
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Already got my next video scheduled for release! Make sure to subscribe cause 2023 is gonna be the year for more content on this channel!
If I remember correctly, the company/factory that took over the production of the original KMZ Helios lense started to cut costs, causing the quality to go down over the years. The washed out look you're getting with your lense is due to having too much oil on the aperture blades. This was a common problem with that era of production. The earlier models never had this problem.
Awesome insight! I can actually totally see the oil on the aperture blades when I open up and close down
It's good to know that western videographers also appreciated Soviet lenses for artistic shoots!
Привет из России! In my city, these lenses sell for about $40 :D
p.s. we have so many variations of helios lenses. There are also such cool lenses as the 35mm MIR, and different variations of the JUPITER, which are the most rare lenses
I have a very early first edition 44-2 ( and the door stop body it came mated to), no oil issues, works like a charm. I've had it since 1979 and it was given to me by the original purchaser who picked it up in the early 70's. It's great for photography and locked down filming. Pulling focus is not easy but I understand many are rigging them for cinefocus.
Sounds like a one-of-a-kind!
I can't place this lens exactly, the serial number and series is weird. I think it could be a an early 50's version ( the first iterations were 1949), it could be this one came from my a realative returning from ww2. As I understand it (via Simon Utak) the first 1949 iterations had 17 blades and they experimented with it from that point.@@TimmyLodhi
Nice video. But from what I see at 0:21 you got the Valdai version, which is the latest and (not according to me) the lowest quality ones. You can see this by the little logo besides the glass. These versions are also the cheapest ($30 or less). I suggest you get a KMZ (first version, M39 mount, Zenit logo) or the BeLOMO version which logo looks like a hamburger.
Me myself I'll try the Belomo version first (around $50) and if I like it I might get the KMZ one just because it will increase its value as time passes by.
All the best to you.
Thank you so much for the insight! Great to know
@@TimmyLodhi my pleasure :)
I picked up an old Russian lens modded for E mount and had lots of the same issues and totally can't use if for anything commercial. It is fun for playing around with artsy stuff and lens whacking, though.
I totally agree! I honestly want to write a simple short and use this lens on it. I think it’s got a really fun character
in Ukraine it’s coast 20$ it’s very popular leans
Glad to see you’re back making video! Keep up the great work. Best wishes for your channel for 2023!
Appreciate the kind words!
oh my god, what a coincidence, I just recently doing some research about this lens, and about to buy it. Some said this lens was used in Batman film. This lens also fits to mod as fake anamorphic, as its swirly bokeh very unique + oval bokeh produced from anamorphic. Anyway great video Timmy, you NAILED the color grading as always, and you make this lens looks 100x expensive than its price.
Haha thank you for the kind words! I’d be shocked if they used this lens in the Batman but there are plenty of other high-end vintage lenses that’ll give you a similar but more refined lens. I’d be very interested in seeing the anamorphic mod!
Timmy! I just came across this by accident! You're really good at this reviewing business:) 😊 Mila
Haha wonderful news! Thanks for saying hello Mila. Hope you’re well!
I've been toying with the idea of a vintage lens for so long and you and a bunch of others have convinced me with this one. would you please be able to drop down the name and link of the adapter that you used for this lens? Thank you!!
The Helios is a great way to start! I used the Sigma MC-11 Adapter.
@@TimmyLodhi thank you!
Just discovered your channel! Congrats on the recent milestone. Really great content. I'm a big fan of this lens as well. I've paired it with both the Bmpcc4k and the Sigma fp so far, but I haven't really captured THAT much with in comparison to say my vintage Nikkor 35mm f/2. This video has inspired me to go back and shoot with it again. Thanks!
So glad to hear you're enjoying the channel. I bought this lens and didn't really use it for the longest time but it's actually kinda fun. 😅
Awesome man! I have the same setup, FX6 and the A7III and I got the Helios as well! I have to try it out more often!
Very fun little lens! Made me want to use it for an entire video.
I have an early version of this lens. It has 13 blades and the red "P". Problem is that the serial number is not the standard "first two numbers is the year of production" serial number. Mine is 0020692. Does anyone know the year of my lens?
wait what? wide open in stops down o F1.4? but its a F2.0??
Thanks for those video samples done with Helios 44M. Very nice! What camera you are using?
This was done with the Sony a7iii
A bit of an out of nowhere question, but I've found someone selling an almost brand new a6000 and 18-105 f/4 G master for $800 AUD, curious if you have used this lens, and if you think pricing wise it would be a good buy, the plan would be to try and sell the a6000 as I already have an a6300 and most likely use the 8 master to replace my kit lens, but unsure if f/4 would be too slow, cheers!
A lot going on here and I’m unfamiliar with that lens so probably not the best to ask. I will say that the a6300 is a pretty good camera and I shoot on a f/4 lens almost 90% of the time and it rocks
Great video! Which company did you buy?
Is it Worth it if I shoot in LOG and with a black mist filter? looks linda similar
You won't get the exact same effect. A huge thing that seperates this lens from others is the natural vignetting around the edges, the oval-shaped bokeh, and the focus roll off.
@@TimmyLodhi thanks!!
post the link where to buy Helios 44-2
What type/make of adaptor did you use with this lens? I can't get mine to focus to infinity on my a7iii :/
Thank you very muck for this video!
Thanks for watching!
he's baaaaaaack
😎😎😎
Do i need an e mount adapter or does it connect?
You shouldn’t need one if you get it from a buyer who puts an e mount adapter on there already
I feel the flaring can be better controlled with a matte box.