topic Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50 in EF & RF Lenses

Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:44:20 GMT

I recently bought the Helios 44M model from 1976 to use on my R50, I would like to ask what is the best to chose adapter considering flange depth of the lens and to not lose infinity focus on it while using.

Can I go for this one screw mount:

Or this type of more deeper mount:

Lens have a 45.5mm Flange focal distance (not sure if this enough info for someone to help me)

Thanks in advance

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

p4pictures — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:00:37 GMT

With the flange distance of the EOS R series being 20mm, then you will need the deeper mount so that the Helios lens is positioned the correct distance from the sensor to allow infinity focus. The mount will need to be 25.5mm thick.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 22:01:37 GMT

Thank you so much for your help, Brian.

Take care

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

justadude — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:04:09 GMT

This doesn't answer your question (because Brian already answered). I just want to say to have fun with the Helios 44M lens! Which version did you get? I have the 44M-4. It is one of my favorite vintage lenses to use on any of my digital cameras, as well as to use when I shoot film.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:22:30 GMT

Thanks for answering aswell Gary! I got the 44M (no more nrs) from 1976 KMZ made, in amazing shape along with the Zenit camera, all for €50 in my own country Portugal, so no shipping etc.

Realy looking forward to it, I still do not have it with me! Looking to do photos and vídeos with it on my R50!

Any thoughts you can share?

Take care

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

justadude — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:30:09 GMT

Once you get the lens, look at the numbers on the barrel. They all have a number following the 44M... -2 and -4 are the best versions, then the -6 and above loose just a little of the dreamy bokeh effects, but not by much.

The swirly bone effects of this lens are fantastic! Don't be afraid to shoot with the aperture wide open. If you are not used to manual focus, just practice, practice, practice, and don't give up. It soon becomes second nature, and is well worth it.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:33:09 GMT

Mine is the first, no nrs Gary

Great photos!!

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

justadude — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:14:04 GMT

That's the first I've seen without the additional number. Well, your year can't be correct if this was among the first. They started making these in 1958.

So I forgot to ask... which Zenit camera did you get? I have the 12XP which is built like a tank, and a lot of fun to shoot.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:14:50 GMT

Here is something that will teach you alot more about them, then you will understand why I bought the 44M

Helios Swirls

Especialy this one: Diferences in Fabrication

I bought the Zenit-E along with the lens.

Enjoy, Gary!

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:40:13 GMT

Gary, the first two numbers of the serial nr is the year of fabrication (check yours), that symbol with the arrow shows it was made on the Valday factory, less quality fabrication because they were mass produced there. Still quality image of course!

Rom.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

justadude — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:56:13 GMT

Thank you for sharing the links! Both were very informative. Mine was made in 1988.

After seeing all of this, if I were to buy one, I would seek out the same version as you did. I did not buy mine.

Two years ago I was at my brother's house. He handed me 4 large camera bags and said "These were given to me by my father in law. He inherited them from a neighbor that passed away. I know you've been into photography for decades, so take them and have fun!"

Inside the base were 12 various 35mm cameras, 6 of which were Pentax, Zenit, and Miranda SLRs, the other 6 various point and shoot. ALL were working. Also there was a Kodak DC210 digital... 1 MP! lol

The bags also included close to 20 lenses, including the Helios 44M-4.

There was a ton of other film era accessories. Another bonus was a few dozen rolls of unopened 35mm film that expired 30+ years ago. I've used all of the rolls except for the 2 Ektachrome so far - unique results with every roll, mostly great.

So yeah, I never had to buy this lens, but it has become one of my favorite.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:11:32 GMT

Wow, such a great story Gary! Amazing previlege to be handed such a great bag of cameras and lenses! Very fortunate I would say! 🙂

I saw those videos prior to buying the 44M so I took my chance finding that one specificaly, but what I've learned too is that they are all great to be fair, dispite the diferent fabrication quality between them! I guess they will all need some servicing by a professional so they do not get ruined in the process of course.

About the rolls that is very good to know we still can use them after so many years, as long as they were contained and preserved I guess. I also have a few with 10+ years old that I will get to use along with the Zenit-E thanks to your knowledge about it!

Thank you and take care.

P.S.: I will share some of my photos with the Helios 44M with you wen I get it!

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

RomMarks — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:10:58 GMT

Hey Gary!

Take a look at some Helios 44M I took:

And my R50 with the adapter and the Helios 44M mounted:

Take care.

Re: Adapting Helios 44M vintage lens to Canon R50

justadude — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:08:42 GMT

Those images turned out nice, Rom!