The Helios 44 family of lenses and their swirl

[xayraa33]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al_HnZKXtXw

 

[analoged]

I have a super early f22 Helios! While I don't clam to be an expert I'm 95% sure by the coatings its Zeiss glass...

 

[former member]

He should try a Summarit, King of the Swirlies.

I have a chrome 5.8cm F2 Biotar- in Exakta mount.

And remember- Sonnars Don't Swirl. Field Curvature cancels Astigmatism...

 

[dexdog]

I have a chrome 5.8cm f2 in M42 mount, dates to Oct 1949. I really need to take this lens apart and clean it, just a bit of haze on the rear lens group. I have a M42 to E-mount adapter somewhere.

 

[johnf04]

Here's a Helios 44 image, taken in 1971 with a Zenit 3m, on Kodachrome.

 

[Austintatious]

I am a fan of Simon's work on Youtube and Flickr. Last year I picked up a Helios 44-3 that has been cleaned and lubed to use on mirrorless . I like it😀

Spring swirls by Carlos Yashinon, on Flickr

 

[dexdog]

xayraa33, thanks for the link to Simon's youtube channel, looks interesting! I agree with Brian that nothing beats a Summarit or Summitar for swirlies. I used to have one of each, the only lenses I ever sold because I hated they way that they rendered images. The Biotar is kinda swirly wide open, but has nothing on the Helios in this regard

 

[former member]

I do have one Sonnar formula lens that Swirls. A Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5 that was bought without a rear element. I guessed the focal length of the missing element against my complete one, measured the diameter and ordered an optic from Surplus Shack. Did a two point calibration for close-up and distance.

Checked against my "Regular" Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5, this one is unique. It seems to cast shadows on the Bokeh Balls.
Just wait until someone wants to do a dreamy movie sequence... Who needs optical corrections.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

He should try a Summarit, King of the Swirlies.

I have a chrome 5.8cm F2 Biotar- in Exakta mount.

And remember- Sonnars Don't Swirl. Field Curvature cancels Astigmatism...

Huh? Isn't the Nikkor S.C 5cm f/1.4 (rangefinder) lens a Sonnar? That's my favorite swirly bokeh lens! See the attached:

 

[p.giannakis]

I have been using the more recent Helios (The one that came with the zenit 12xp) for years. It is a very interesting lens.

 

[former member]

Huh? Isn't the Nikkor S.C 5cm f/1.4 (rangefinder) lens a Sonnar? That's my favorite swirly bokeh lens! See the attached: filedata/fetch?id=4766894&d=1642564411

Some Swirl on the Nikkor 5cm F1.4, but much less than a Double-Gauss. Sonnars have more Coma.

 

[former member]

Sully Plantation by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

This is with the Canon 5cm F2 in Leica mount, this is an uncommon lens.

 

[raid]

I need to take out my Helios that I have used only with one roll of film so far. I wonder which model it is.

 

[raid]

Thanks for the posted video link, Brian. I am watching it right now.

 

[raid]

Sully Plantation by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

This is with the Canon 5cm F2 in Leica mount, this is an uncommon lens.

Many years ago I bought a Canon VI-L with a Canon 50/2. I traded off the camera and lens. I had no idea that this lens was uncommon.