Helios-44

Helios-44 is a series of standard lenses for SLR cameras, produced in Soviet Union by KMZ, MMZ, Jupiter from 1958 till 1992 (2001?) and it is considered to be one of most mass produced lenses in the world. Based on the lens Biotar 2 / 58 , at the beginning was called "БТК" - "БиоТар Красногорский" (BioTar Krasnogorski). A fast 6-element anastigmat, it was available in both single-coated and multi-coated versions.

The name of Helios lenses are usually writen as Helios-44X-N, where X -is the index of lens mount (M for m42 thread, K for Pentax K bayonet, Д for Zenit-D bayonet) and N is a optical resolution index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (the higher number the higher is an optical resolution of lens).

Technical Specifications

Helios 44M-5 by KMZ

Helios 44. Optical Scheme

• Focal Distance: 58mm (may vary in real)
• Optical Formula: 6 elements in 4 groups.
• Aperture Range: f/2 - f/16. (f/22 later)
• Angle of View: 40°28
• Geometric Vignetting: 58%
• Minimum Focusing Distance
  • Helios-44 (Start) - 0.7 m
  • Helios-44 - 0.5 m
  • Helios-44-N - 0.5 m
  • MC Helios-44X-N - 0.5 m
• Number of Aperture Blades
  • Helios-44 (Start) - 13
  • Helios-44 -8
  • Helios-44-N -8
  • MC Helios-44X-N - 6
• Filter Diameter:
  • Helios-44 (Start) - M40.5x0.5
  • Helios-44 - M49.5x0.75
  • Helios-44-2 - M49x0.75
  • Helios-44-7 - M49x0.75
  • MC Helios-44X-N - M52x0.75
• Lens Mount:
  • Helios-44 (Start) - Zenit Start Bayonet
  • Helios-44 - m39 SLR thread
  • Helios-44-2 - m42 thread
  • Helios-44-7 - m42 thread (Originaly designed for the cameras line of ZENIT-7, and because of the special aperture drive system can be installed only on these cameras via an adapter - thread-bayonet ring).
  • MC Helios-44X-N - m42 thread
  • MC Helios-44K-4 - Pentax K Bayonet
• Optical Resolution (center/edge)
  • Helios-44 - 35/14 lines/mm
  • Helios-44-2 - 38/20 lines/mm
  • Helios-44-7 - 36/17 lines/mm
  • Helios-44M-4 - 38/19 lines/mm
• MC Helios-44K-4 - 42/21 lines/mm
  • MC Helios-44M-4 - 41/20 lines/mm
  • MC Helios-44M-5 - 41/20 lines/mm
  • MC Helios-44M-6 - 45/25 lines/mm
  • MC Helios-44M-7 - 50/30 lines/mm
• Transmittance
  • Helios-44 - 0.81
  • Helios-44-2 - 0.82
  • Helios-44-7 - 0.80
  • Helios-44M-4 - 0.80
  • MC Helios-44K-4 - 0.85
  • MC Helios-44M-4 - 0.85
  • MC Helios-44M-5 - 0.85
  • MC Helios-44M-6 - 0.90
  • MC Helios-44M-7 - 0.90
• Color Formula
  • Helios-44 - 10-0-1.5
  • Helios-44-2 - 10-0-1.5
  • Helios-44-7- 10-0-1.5
  • Helios-44M-4 - 10-0-1.5
  • MC Helios-44K-4 - 11-0-0
  • MC Helios-44M-4 - 11-0-0
  • MC Helios-44M-5 - 11-0-0
  • MC Helios-44M-6 - 11-0-0
  • MC Helios-44M-7 - 11-0-0
• Weight
  • Helios-44 (Start) - 0.23 kg
  • Helios-44 - 0.23 kg
  • Helios-44-2 - 0.23 kg
  • Helios-44-7 - 0.35 kg
• Helios-44M-4 - 0.3 kg
• MC Helios-44K-4 - 0.3 kg
  • MC Helios-44M-4 - 0.3 kg
  • MC Helios-44M-5 - 0.27 kg
  • MC Helios-44M-6 - 0.27 kg
  • MC Helios-44M-7 - 0.27 kg

Helios 44-2 by KMZ

MC Helios 44-3 by BelOMO (MMZ)

MC Helios 44M-4 by KMZ latest variant

Yearly Helios 44 by BelOMO (MMZ) in bright aluminium finish

Helios 44 Start by KMZ for Zenit Start Cameras

Helios 44 by KMZ Early CZJ "Zebra" style version

Helios 44-Д for Zenit D cameras

BTK by KMZ

CZJ Biotar 2/58

Links

English

Helios-44M-4 58mm F/2 (M42) Review by FilmISH                                                                                      Helios-44-2 58mm f/2 (M42) Reveiw by BKSPicture

in Russian

1. http://www.zenitcamera.com An oficial site of KMZ Original descripion and Tech specs.
2. http://www.photohistory.ru/ Helios 44 on "Stages of development of domestic fotoapparatostroeniya" site