Soviet Lenses. Helios, Jupiter, MIR and Industar Collection.

@stetzam Thanks for your suggestions. How about MIR? It is available in my country.

Can I use my Helios 44-2 on my 6D full frame? Am scared of hitting the mirror so haven't tried yet.

Kaval wrote in post #17629389
@stetzam Thanks for your suggestions. How about MIR? It is available in my country.

Mir 37mm/f2.8 is also very good, needs some filing on the FF as it hits the mirror at infinity.
I believe you must start with the Helios 58mm first.

dropmyload wrote in post #17629580
Can I use my Helios 44-2 on my 6D full frame? Am scared of hitting the mirror so haven't tried yet.

I can't remember for my 5D, maybe it will need a bit of filing, but you will use it in close distances anyway, for its bokeh, at infinity there are better lenses, like the EF 50mm/f1.8

Okay. I will begin this journey with Helios 58mm.

@stetzam Let me congratulate you for posting very good photos in this forum. I must have gone through dozens of them and found them very interesting: real life locations, common people (like you and me, friends/relatives) in natural and relaxed pose and each frame/model is communicating/conveyin​g something. Superb!

Kaval wrote in post #17629714
Okay. I will begin this journey with Helios 58mm.

@stetzam Let me congratulate you for posting very good photos in this forum. I must have gone through dozens of them and found them very interesting: real life locations, common people (like you and me, friends/relatives) in natural and relaxed pose and each frame/model is communicating/conveyin​g something. Superb!

They are great lenses, but make sure you purchase a decent one. Don't forget, they are vintage lenses and have seen a lot of use. For example, the optics on mine are first class and as clean as when the lens was made. However, the aperture blades were stuck with old oil and would nether open or close properly. I did dismantle the lens, gave it a clean and reassembled, which wasn't too difficult, but best avoided if possible.

Also remember, collecting vintage lenses can become addictive....

Many thanks for the advice. I would try to buy it in person rather than on net.

This is also an excellent lens if you can get one. It's branded Helios, but made in Japan, so it's anybodies guess who made it. Mine is 135mm, M42 fit and one of my sharpest lenses. It also has a slide out hood, which you can't see in the photo.

PS: Ignore the "58" in the flickr title, that was my mistake, it is a 135mm.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/cKdE​c7

I am getting Rokunar 135 mm for $35. The condition is good. But I have don't have any clue about IQ. Is it worth that price?

Or shall I stick to Helios ($30) for the moment?

Please advise.

I've got a Helios 44-2 & it renders lovely images. I also have a Helios 135/2.8 which is an okay lens but in all fairness I've not used it much for a fair opinion. I've had a 44M & a 44M-4 but sold both & kept the 44-2

I have a Rocunar 300mm/f5.6 it is a sharp lens. Most 135mm lenses are good because their optical formula is simple and common.

Kaval wrote in post #17629714
Okay. I will begin this journey with Helios 58mm.

@stetzam Let me congratulate you for posting very good photos in this forum. I must have gone through dozens of them and found them very interesting: real life locations, common people (like you and me, friends/relatives) in natural and relaxed pose and each frame/model is communicating/conveyin​g something. Superb!

Thank you for your kind words.

What lens is this? The popular Helios 44M-2 or something else?

That is one of the seemingly thousands of carnations of the Helios 58-2. Here is the the wiki link which shows the translation of Helios up top. It would seem very consistent. This lens was on Moonlight nightvision products as well as the zenit cameras. I got sucked in and bought a 44-2 a couple of days ago. There are some fantastic russian forums with literally a thousand pages of mostly russian lenses, particularly the Helios 40 and 44. Anyway... here is the Wiki page:

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Helios_%28lens​_brand%29

And as far as the 6d goes... if it works the same as the 5d (I dont' know why it wouldn't) then you will hit the mirror at infinity. It will work on the camera, but your mirror will hang if you get out past a certain point.

I got this lens (77M-4, 50mm/1.8) a few minutes ago at a ridiculous low price. I am told that this one is made in Vologda (although it does not matter to me) and the back hood mentions Zenit.

Now I am waiting for an adapter to arrive so that I can start shooting pics.

Many thanks to all of you for bringing Russian lenses to my notice.