Do something crazy, buy a Helios 44

Friday 6 February 2026, 20:10 by Nando Harmsen | 2,035 views | 2 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Would you like to photograph more creatively? A Helios 44 lens might be just the thing for you. But take care when choosing this old Russian lens. They come in many varieties.

The Helios 44 lenses are the Russian copies of the Carl-Zeiss Jena Biotar 5.8cm f/2. This beautiful antique lens has a focal length of 58mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.

The Carl-Zeiss Jena Biotar 5.8cm f/2 that served as the model for the Helios 44 lenses.
That does not mean that the Helios 44, the Russian copy of the Biotar 5.8cm f/2, is a poor lens. It is somewhat larger in size, but has the same lens construction. However, it is considerably cheaper than the Carl-Zeiss.

The Helios 44 comes in various versions. There is the 44-Start, the 44, 44-2 and 44-3. That is not all. There is a 44M, 44M-4, 44M-5, 44M-6 and 44M-7. There are also other variants here and there.

This is the Helios 44-2 from the KMZ factories in Russia. It is the zebra edition, referring to the silver-striped ring. This lens also has an aperture preset ring.
The Helios 44-2 is generally the most recommended. It is said to perform best or produce the best bokeh. This is debatable, and I can only refer you to others who have tested this.

If I may offer some advice, I would also choose the 44-2. But look around carefully, and if a 44-3 or 44M comes your way, that will not be a bad purchase either. Provided, of course, that the lens is in good condition.

The bokeh is what this lens is mainly about. It has the characteristic swirl bokeh. But this is only clearly visible in the right conditions. If you have those conditions, the character of this lens really comes through.

The spots of light in the background show the characteristic swirl bokeh.
This swirl bokeh offers many possibilities for creative photography. From flowers to nature, and from objects to portraits. But you do have to focus manually. That is no problem with a mirrorless camera.

The Helios 44 is prone to flare. But you can use that to your advantage. This is what makes photographing with this lens so much fun.
What should you look out for when searching for a Helios 44-2 lens? Naturally, you want to get a good model. Smoothly operating focusing and aperture rings. There should be no oil or grease on the aperture blades. And the glass should not be too badly damaged.

The Helios 44-2 gives photos a very distinctive look. Focusing accurately and quickly can be a challenge.
Choose an M42 screw thread mount. This causes the fewest problems when buying an adapter ring. You need one to mount the Helios on your mirrorless camera. I chose an adapter from Urth.

Make sure the camera is set up so that you can take photos without a lens. This is a menu setting that often needs to be enabled. The camera cannot detect that a lens is attached. Use focus peaking to focus, or magnify the image.

Everything should turn smoothly. Mine did not, and I learned how to take the lens apart. Cleaning and lubricating it was easy.
A Helios 44-2, 44-3 or 44M lens usually costs between 70 and 100 euros on eBay. That is where I bought my Helios lenses. You can also look on Marktplaats or in various camera shops.

If you have plenty of patience, browse flea markets or visit a charity shop. There are sometimes special fairs for analogue photography equipment. With a bit of luck, you will find one for a very reasonable price.

Photographing with the Helios 44 feels different, and gives me a lot of pleasure. Who knows, it might be just the thing for you too.
If you start using a Helios 44-2, you will notice that you photograph very differently than with modern lenses. But it has to suit you. If it turns out not to be your thing, you can easily sell the lens with its adapter ring.

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