RE: Helios lenses

[Krille]

Hi, read the "Cyclop/Helios topic" with great interest. This and pictures by Birna with
the "Rodenstock TV-Heligon 50mm f/0.75" was really inspiring!!! Thought I needed to
engage in something "new" in these tough days.
Only found a potential seller of a Helios-44 58mm f2 with a converter M39 to Nikon F.
According to the seller the distance between the lens and sensor is to wide, which in reality
means that it is impossible to focus for infinity. He uses a Z6/7 as do I.
Can this be fixed or should I stay away!?
Do you recommend this lens? Something else?

Greatful for advice, Krister

[Birna Rørslett]

Any lens with M42 or M/L39 mount can easily be used on all Z cameras. There are loads of cheap adapters out there. In these dire times perhaps look for a supplier in Europe with the item(s) in stock instead of waiting for deliveries from China.

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/08/26/autofocus-helios-44-for-nikon-pt2/

[Krille]

Any lens with M42 or M/L39 mount can easily be used on all Z cameras. There are loads of cheap adapters out there. In these dire times perhaps look for a supplier in Europe with the item(s) in stock instead of waiting for deliveries from China.

Will a different adapter solv the Infinity problem??

[Krille]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/08/26/autofocus-helios-44-for-nikon-pt2/

I dont want to interfere with Dr. lens 

[Birna Rørslett]

Isn't the Helios originally with M42? If so there is no infinity problem. Just get an M42-Z adapter and fire away.

I do have L39 thread-Z adapters as well, so in either mount version, one should be able to use the Helios to the maximum extent.

[Krille]

This Helios is M/L39. But as you use both with no problem
I Will try!
Found only Chinese suppliers but I guess they deliver anyway.
Thanks

[Birna Rørslett]

Get both adapters while you are at it. Plus a basic M42-Z conversion adapter which is very thin; this is for future focusing helicoids and suchlike stuff.

All are cheap so indulge your whims and enjoy the exotic(s).

[Krille]

OK! Thanks

[John Geerts]

I use the M42- macro- adapter to Z mount.  Because of the macro-part, you can get a lot closer than with a normal adapter. Works perfectly on my Helios Cyclop 100/2 and other M42 Lenses  (Voigtlander Color Ultron 50/1.8 and Carl Zeiss Jena - Triotar 135/4 for instance)

[Nasos Kosmas]

I use the M42- macro- adapter to Z mount.  Because of the macro-part, you can get a lot closer than with a normal adapter. Works perfectly on my Helios Cyclop 100/2 and other M42 Lenses  (Voigtlander Color Ultron 50/1.8 and Carl Zeiss Jena - Triotar 135/4 for instance)

This is a very nice feature
If you try Helios at closer than normal distances you will by amazed with the blend of out of focus colors
I show on eBay some modified 58/2 optical systems on a 50 1.8 AFD shells with autofocus and infinity focus but don’t work on Z system

[Thomas Stellwag]

the Helios 44 is normally a lens with M42/Pentax register  45,5mm
If you find one with M39, it is the Russian M39 Zenit, 45,2mm, not the Leica L 39 register 28,8mm
The Russian M39 is more or les the same register as M42, so you only need a M39 to M42 step up ring and then use a std M42 adaptor
I f.e. have Helios 1.5 85mm and 2.8 180mm with this M39 thread , that needs the step up rings
Your seller most probably has the wrong adaptor on his Z camera

be aware that since some time people are modding their helios 58mm, because it is a cheap lens, so you might buy a "petzval type" of self destroyed shit
buy from a serious source or from Russia is my proposal

[Krille]

OK, thanks all for your advice.
Krister

[Toby]

This Helios is M/L39. But as you use both with no problem
I Will try!
Found only Chinese suppliers but I guess they deliver anyway.
Thanks

You can get a M39 to M42 adapter ring for next to nothing, which will allow you to mount it in an M42 adapter.

[JohnMM]

According to some authorities (e.g., http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/lenses/helios-44.html ) the Helios 44 uses an M39 mount with a register of 45.2 mm. The later Helios 44-2 has an M42 mount with a working distance of 45.5 mm. Depending on the application the difference in registers may be significant Thus mounting a Helios 44 on a camera with a 45.5 mm register, via the use of a simple M39/M42 adapter ring, means that the furthest subject the lens will focus on is only about 11 m away.