Helios 44m-4 58mm F/2

Specifications01

MountM42

Focal length58mm

Max aperturef/2

TypeCinema · Portrait · Prime

Weight242 g

Filter size52 mm

Physical length63 mm

Min focus distance0.5 m

Aperture blades6

Optical elements6

Groups4

Lens hood–

Additional Info02

Category["Vintage"]

Review AuthorKlaus

Review VerdictJust from a pure technical standpoint, the Helios 44m-4 58mm f/2 isn't a good lens. This applies to all vintage lenses when compared to today's standards. But I reckon this conclusion isn't what you came here for. 🙂 Having said that, the Helios is actually usable at f/2. The resolution is fairly high in the center, albeit with a contrast penalty. The borders/corners ... well ... Stopping down helps, of course, and the overall quality is pretty good in the f/5.6 to f/8 range. Image distortions are absent, and the vignetting is low for such a lens. Lateral CAs aren't a problem, whereas, unsurprisingly, axial CAs (LoCAs) are very high. However, more important than any of this is the bokeh. The Helios is a master of swirly bokeh. Of course, you don't ALWAYS want this, but the effect can be exciting. A word of caution here, though - this is, obviously, an f/2 lens, thus not quite as fast as some other vintage 50s. This is a bit of a limiting factor for the bokeh. The mechanical quality of the tested 44m-4 variant is pretty good. Its all-metal construction feels sturdy, and the focus ring has this nice dampened action that we associate with pre-AF lenses. The aperture "clicks" are nicely distinctive. If you are a fan of vintage-style lenses, this is another one with lots of "character". Just don't expect it to be a replacement for a modern 50.

Review Published2026-03-07T23:58:50+00:00

Optical Construction6 elements in 4 groups

Field Notes02

58mm F/2 M42-mount Helios 44m-4 standard prime lens for stills and manual-focus use, typically for portrait or general photography. Known for its classic swirly bokeh on close focusing.

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Catalog note · source: opticallimits