The Soviet Kit Lens-Helios 44M lens test on the 550D

[jghenderson]

Here's the Helios in action. This is a still frame from a music video I shot today in Memphis, TN on the 5D MKII.

Oh goodness it looks like an impressionist painting! I think I really need to check into these lenses. I really need to get some new lenses for my first major short film (as in will actually have a full crew,etc.) which I will be shooting in the next 1-2 months but I don't have the money to go out and buy $600+ lenses...is russian glass the answer?

 

[bill totolo]

I think of it as a specialty lens. You certainly CAN shoot a short with inexpesive Russian optics but I'm glad to have other lenses when I need them. I haven't tested the overall resolving power of these lenses which is something I would recomend if the presentation format is to be projected on a movie screen.

 

[znowboarding]

The day after finding this thread I picked up the first 44m and adapter I could get off ebay and have been really amazed by its results.

A quick lensflare example video I posted here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkeGs3X-eBs I also added some recent photos to my flicker taken with it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/znowboarding/sets/72157624104723181/



Thanks for the recommendation on the lens, I'm now looking to expand to some more inexpensive prime m42 mount lenses, Can't wait to make a few shorts with it!

 

[Chris Watson]

Not loading for me.

 

[Chris Watson]

Glad folks on here are getting turned on to the Helios and Russian/Soviet glass in general. It's like a goldmine in excellent, cheap optics. All the ones I own currently gets lots of use.

 

[znowboarding]

Sorry It didn't work, I just provided the raw link to grab it at. Enjoy.

 

[MarginalFilms]

Hello! I found some cheap Jupiter lenses on a local equivalent to ebay, but it says they are Kiev/Contax mount. Tried to google it, but came up with nothing helpfull. Does anyone know is there any mount possible for EOS?

 

[Film_Hoerl]

I just bought my t2i today (after too much research) and I ordered the 44M and adaptor. I'm shooting a short film this week that was initially going to be shot on film, but the stock was too expensive for such a small project so I bought the t2i. I doubt I will have the lens by the time I shoot, but I'll post a test shoot with it once I get it in

Great thread by the way! I would never have found the beauty of Russian glass if it wasn't for this site!

 

[...]

Hello! I found some cheap Jupiter lenses on a local equivalent to ebay, but it says they are Kiev/Contax mount. Tried to google it, but came up with nothing helpfull. Does anyone know is there any mount possible for EOS?

Here is a list of mounts possible with the Canon EOS (44mm flange):
(any mount with a higher greater flange distance is compatible with EOS without the need for optics)

Contarex
Contax RTS
Leica R
Nikon
Olympus OM
Pentak K and Screw
Petri Bayonet
Richo Bayonet
T2
Yashica FR, FX


Mounts that require optics for infinity focus:

Canon FD and earlier
Fujica X
Konica F
Minolta MD
Miranda

 

[Chris Watson]

Hello! I found some cheap Jupiter lenses on a local equivalent to ebay, but it says they are Kiev/Contax mount. Tried to google it, but came up with nothing helpfull. Does anyone know is there any mount possible for EOS?

I believe that would be the C/Y mount and those lenses will work with an EOS camera without the need for a glass element. Fotodiox sells the adapter for around $30. Have fun!

Chris W

 

[Chris Watson]

I just bought my t2i today (after too much research) and I ordered the 44M and adaptor. I'm shooting a short film this week that was initially going to be shot on film, but the stock was too expensive for such a small project so I bought the t2i. I doubt I will have the lens by the time I shoot, but I'll post a test shoot with it once I get it in

Great thread by the way! I would never have found the beauty of Russian glass if it wasn't for this site!

You'll love the lens. It won't make you a better shooter but it will make you WANT to become a better shooter. I've bought several lenses since the original post and it's still my favorite. Just magical.

Chris W

 

[...]

The 44M is an easy lens to do some modifications to make it better for cine applications.

You can unscrew the four bottom screws. Lift off the back, and remove the little ball bearing on the aperture ring. Clean off any dirt and lube the aperture ring with grease. Reassemble and you got yourself an infinitely adjustable aperture ring. The 44M is one of the easiest lenses to do this modification.