Backwards aperture dial on Helios 58mm!

P

pomoville

Well-known member
Hey, I just got a Helios 44-2 58mm lens off ebay for my GH1, and for some reason the aperture dial is completely backwards. That is, when it's set to F2 it's actually an F16, and vice-versa. Anyone ever seen this before? My best guess is that it was just assembled backwards, but I haven't got a clue how to fix it.

It's sort of a problem because I can't really accurately dial in an aperture (since the spacing is backwards, too). My only idea is too copy down the numbers/spacing as they are and make a skinny, reversed sticker to cover it over. Any other ideas? Thanks.
 
This is after you have set the preset aperture, and you are setting the aperture with the third ring that you can open up or stop down?
 
It's just the aperture ring on the lens, it turns backwards from what it should be. F16 is where F2 should be, F11 is is somewhere near 2.8, etc. Hopefully that makes sense.

The F-stops read
16 11 8 5.6 4 2.8 2,
but based on the actual aperture, and the way the ring turns, it should read
2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16

Other than that it's a slick little lens, I like the clickless aperture.
 
The "clickless aperture" ring to which you are referring is the third ring I had mentioned. You can also turn the outer preset aperture ring which does click and which will limit the aperture.

For example, if you set the preset aperture ring to f8, the third ring will allow clickless aperture adjustment from f2.0 to f8. If you set the preset aperture ring to f2.0, you will find that the third ring does not turn at all because f/2.0 is its only choice.

Turn that outer ring and you will understand. Everyone takes awhile to learn this because it's a bit strange. But once you get it, you'll like it. I believe that its primary purpose is to quickly open up in order to focus and then go back to the desired aperture with speed prior to taking the shot.
 
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