Vintage Lens Test - Helios 44m-4 58mm f/2

Klaus

https://opticallimits.com/news/vintage-lens-test-helios-44m-4-58mm-f-2/

The "swirl-o-mat"

Rover

Huh. Not a lens I would have expected to land in the testing lab at this point. 🙂

Klaus

Crap weather here for weeks - so I'm processing "old stock" at the moment.

Rover

Well, since you seem to favour the 58mm lenses for the time being, I'm really hoping to see the Noct-Nikkor among those. 😃 Not that I really have interest in ever buying this lens - my 50ish needs are served by the Tamron 45mm for now - but it'd be really interesting to see the myth of the Noct-Nikkor being either scientifically debunked, or scientifially corroborated. 😃

Klaus

I won't purchase a vintage lens for thousands of dollars, really. ;-)

The next 2 vintage lenses will be 50s.

davethebirder

"The Helios 44m-4 is actually not too bad when in cameras to resolution."

I take it you meant:

The Helios 44m-4 is actually not too bad when it comes to resolution.

Actually the review inspired me to bring out my copy of which I'd reversed the front element, looking at it I see straight away the iris is covered in oil and struggles to close or open .... weather not too good here today so maybe (maybe not) I'll restore to it's original optical formula as well as degrease the iris blades .... though frankly I prefer the 44-2 version with it's pre-set aperture and better swirly bokeh ......

...........

Klaus

thx

davethebirder

I appreciate that AI can't speak english ..... and they want to put it in future cameras? 🙂

Rover

Oh, okay. I thought maybe someone sent you their copy to evaluate - after all, it had happened in the past.

God knows I would've sent my lenses to you to test if it had been economically feasible. 🙂 Though I can imagine you would've refused to test most of that old junk. 😃