RE: Helios lenses

[MEPER]

Does an adapter exist ….a M42 or M39 adapter where the register can be adjusted a few mm to achieve exact infinity focus?
It would be an adapter with built-in helicoid or another way to "parallel adjust"?

[John Geerts]

Why not.?   It is just a matter you can focus over your inifity point. It is not a hard fix at infinity. The important thing is, you can obtain infinity.

[Toby]

Better than a fixed adapter anyway is a M42 focusing helicoid such as this. Then get the M42 to Nikon Z adapter ring and Bob's your uncle. This will allow for continuous close focusing to macro distances

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-M39-Enlarger-lens-to-M42-Focusing-Helicoid-Adapter-25mm-59mm-US-Seller/264634686105?hash=item3d9d74da99:g:34UAAOSwr05eRyi3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-Lens-Adapter-To-Nikon-Z-Lens-Mount-for-Nikon-Z7-Z6-Camera/153586303309?hash=item23c275014d:g:wAUAAOSwIbFdQX14

[Hugh_3170]

Maybe slightly off topic, but I have a Russian lens which I think is a Helios - anyway it is a 135mm f/3.5 preset which came with an M42 mount.  This can be easily detached and a Russian made Nikon F mount specific to the lens can then be attached in its place - which is what I did with this lens.  It works fine.

I believe that there are other Helios lenses that allow one to change the mount from M42 to Nikon F in this manner - it might pay to investigate if this option applies to your lens.

[MEPER]

Better than a fixed adapter anyway is a M42 focusing helicoid such as this. Then get the M42 to Nikon Z adapter ring and Bob's your uncle. This will allow for continuous close focusing to macro distances

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-M39-Enlarger-lens-to-M42-Focusing-Helicoid-Adapter-25mm-59mm-US-Seller/264634686105?hash=item3d9d74da99:g:34UAAOSwr05eRyi3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-Lens-Adapter-To-Nikon-Z-Lens-Mount-for-Nikon-Z7-Z6-Camera/153586303309?hash=item23c275014d:g:wAUAAOSwIbFdQX14

I found a similar M42 to M42 helicoid adapter which I have ordered. I have rings from 39 - 42   …...then I only need a Z-body.....but good to be prepared.

[Toby]

Maybe slightly off topic, but I have a Russian lens which I think is a Helios - anyway it is a 135mm f/3.5 preset which came with an M42 mount.  This can be easily detached and a Russian made Nikon F mount specific to the lens can then be attached in its place - which is what I did with this lens.  It works fine.

I believe that there are other Helios lenses that allow one to change the mount from M42 to Nikon F in this manner - it might pay to investigate if this option applies to your lens.

It will not work with a shorter focal length lens because the mirror will hit the rear element.

[JohnMM]

Maybe slightly off topic, but I have a Russian lens which I think is a Helios - anyway it is a 135mm f/3.5 preset which came with an M42 mount.

It sounds like a Jupiter 37A.

[Hugh_3170]

Yes thanks for this - I have just checked some images on the Internet and it is definitely a Jupiter 37A.  I am jailed up in quarantine in NZ due to NZ's COVID-19 lockdown, so cannot check the lens itself.

It sounds like a Jupiter 37A.

[Ethan]

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.

Why do you want to buy the heavy and sub par Helios 44 58mm f2 when you can get the original Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2 for USD200 ish.

At least get the Helios 40 85/1.5 which is a much better lens than the 44.

[Krille]

Just found and started with the 44 58mm f2 (40 dollar). Now waiting for some converters so that
I can start on my new journey which will include other "exotic" lenses 
Thanks for your input

[F2F3F6]

Why do you want to buy the heavy and sub par Helios 44 58mm f2 when you can get the original Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2 for USD200 ish.
At least get the Helios 40 85/1.5 which is a much better lens than the 44.

A good copy of Helios 44M (latest model) costs 40-50€ here in France. My sample like new gives good results from 2,8 and very good from 4-5,6. Biotar may be better but costs much more and you must be lucky to findd a like new sample !
My experience with the 1,5/85 Cyclop (same optics than Helios 40 but without aperture control) was not so good: heavy, fast aperture but not very easy to use nor very good wide open...
Here two examples (of my 2/58 Helios 44M) with Fuji XE2 ("velvia" rendition):

[Airy]

Just got a F-mount-adapted Helios 44M, focussing to infinity thanks to a printed plastic part. A very good job; the lens came 100% clean and dust-free, although the barrel shows signs of usage and focussing action is on the stiff side.

The lens is astounding or, at any rate, better than its so-so reputation. Center sharpness is excellent (even at full aperture), but the field may not be that flat. There is vanishingly little LoCA (!!!) which is quite valuable to my eyes. Unfortunately, I got no time for reports now, too busy, but expect some shots under the "December 2020" thread.

[Nasos Kosmas]

I am sure that you are going to have excellent results, I already used in my D750 and the combination is super, I got pictures with character unlike the new super corrected lenses that luck it

[Airy]

By some coincidence, I also got the Helios 81H (50/2) today. A very different look&feel; while the 58/2 reminds me (externally) of main battle tank optics from the sixties, the 50/2 is a real AI lens with smooth focussing action and better finish. Concerning the optical qualities, we'll see.

I could already get some taste of the "whirly bokeh" by the 58/2. And also massive flare (for night shots, the best contrast is obtained at f/2.8 ) and coma... a daytime lens for sure.

[Nasos Kosmas]

Just some very recent examples on crop z50 / Hellios 58/2
The first is F2 , second F4 and last is F4 on 85/1.8G
On FX the Swirly bokeh can shown better