Helios-44-3 58mm F/2 MC

akaГелиос-44-3 58mm F/2 МС

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

  • Announced:
  • · No data
  • Production status:
  • ● Discontinued
  • Country of design:
  • · USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)
  • Original name:
  • · МС ГЕЛИОС 44-3 2/58
  • Class:
  • · Fast full-frame standard prime lens
  • System:
  • · Zenit M42 (1965)

Abbreviations

MC Multi-layer anti-reflection coating is applied to the surfaces of lens elements. This anti-reflection coating increases light transmission, eliminates flare and ghosting, and maintains color consistence among all lens models.

Specification

Optical design:
35mm full frame
58mm
F/2
6 elements in 4 groups (Double Gauss derivative)
M42 [45.5mm]
40.9° (35mm full frame)
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:
Preset
Aperture control:
Preset ring + Aperture ring
8 (eight)
Focusing:
0.50m
<No data>
Focusing modes:
Manual focus only
Manual focus control:
Focusing ring
Physical characteristics:
250g
⌀62×52.5mm
Accessories:
Screw-type 52mm
<No data>
<No data>

Source of data

  • Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description

The photographic lens "МС Гелиос-44-3" is a six-element anastigmat with coated optical surfaces. Multilayer coating of optical surfaces increases image contrast. The aperture values can be set up to 1:16 with the help of the iris diaphragm. Scales allow shooting in unfavorable conditions (in low light, with a photo-flash lamp). The lens is designed for SLR cameras of the Zenit type with a mounting thread of M42x1mm.

From the editor

Not very common standard lens for Soviet "Зенит" 35mm SLR cameras. It was produced only by the Minsk Mechanical Plant named after S.I. Vavilov (BelOMO) from approximately 1986 to 1994. The absence of the letter "M" in the lens name indicates that the lens does not have the automatic aperture stop-down mechanism.

What was this lens with multi-layer coating but without automatic diaphragm for? It is known that the Zenit-ET camera, manufactured at the BelOMO plant from 1982 to 1995, had several modifications. In some cases, most likely due to a shortage of components, Zenit-ETs were simplified. In particular, they could lack an automatic diaphragm mechanism. A lens with the automatic diaphragm is useless for such a camera, but the preset Helios-44-3 MC is just the thing. Why it was too difficult for BelOMO to solve the problem with camera components, but OK to develop and launch into production a SUBSTANTIALLY NEW lens, is one of the mysteries of the Soviet photo industry.

The downside of the lens is that the focusing ring is too close to the mount, making the lens a bit awkward to use. Note that the focus throw is about 270 degrees!

***

Resolving power, mm-1, no less than: in the center of the field: 41, at the У' zone = 19mm: 20.

Other standard prime lenses in the Zenit M42 system

■M42 mount (12)
Industar-50-2 50mm F/3.5
akaИНДУСТАР-50-2 50mm F/3.5		M4 - 30.65m⌀35.5 ●
Industar-61 L/Z 50mm F/2.8 [MC]
akaИНДУСТАР-61Л/З 50mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР-61Л/З-МС 50mm F/2.8		P4 - 30.30m⌀49 ●
Industar-61M 50mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР61-М 50mm F/2.8		A4 - 30.40m⌀52 ●
Jupiter-Super-M1 50mm F/2 MCA6 - 40.40m⌀52 1998 ●
Zenitar-M 50mm F/1.9 MC
akaЗЕНИТАР-М 50mm F/1.9 МС		A6 - 40.45m⌀52 1991 ●
Helios-77M-4 50mm F/1.8 MC
akaГЕЛИОС-77М-4 50mm F/1.8 МС		A6 - 40.45m⌀52 1991 ●
Zenitar-M 50mm F/1.7 [MC]
akaЗЕНИТАР-М 50mm F/1.7 [МС]		A6 - 50.45m⌀52 1977 ●
Zenitar-ME1 50mm F/1.7 MC
akaЗЕНИТАР-МЕ1 50mm F/1.7 МС		A6 - 50.45m⌀52 1980 ●
Era-6M 50mm F/1.5 Type 1
akaЭРА-6М 50mm F/1.5		A6 - 50.30m⌀58 1972 ●
Era-6M 50mm F/1.5 Type 2
akaЭРА-6М 50mm F/1.5		A6 - 50.50m⌀58 1977 ●
Helios-44-2 58mm F/2
akaГЕЛИОС-44-2 58mm F/2		P6 - 40.50m⌀49 1966 ●
Helios-44M 58mm F/2 [MC]
akaГЕЛИОС-44М 58mm F/2 [МС]		A6 - 40.50m⌀52 1972 ●

Lenses with similar focal length

■M42 mount (56)
Asahi SMC Takumar 55mm F/2 [37109]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1973 ●
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [37101, 37104, 37106]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1971 ●
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [332]S6 - 50.55m⌀46 1958 ●
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm F/2 [341, 34100]S6 - 50.55m⌀46 1958 ●
Asahi Takumar 55mm F/2.2P5 - 50.55m⌀46 1957 ●
Asahi Takumar 58mm F/2P6 - 40.60m⌀46 1957 ●
Asahi Takumar 58mm F/2.4P5 - 30.60m⌀46 1957 ●
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm F/2.2S6 - 50.55m⌀46 1961 ●
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm F/1.9S6 - 50.55m⌀46 1958 ●
Asahi Takumar 55mm F/1.8P6 - 50.55m⌀46 1958 ●
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [345]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1960 ●
Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [345-2, 345-5, 33450, 34520]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1962 ●
Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [371, 37100, 37101, 37104, 37106]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1965 ●
Asahi SMC Takumar 55mm F/1.8 [37108]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1972 ●
Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm F/2 [345-1, 345-6, 345-3]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1962 ●
Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm F/2 [37102, 37103, 37107]A6 - 50.45m⌀49 1965 ●
Chinon Auto 55mm F/1.4 [Multi-Coated]
akaArgus Auto-Cintar 55mm F/1.4
akaAuto-Alpa 55mm F/1.4 Multi-Coated
akaGAF Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaPorst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F/1.4 MC G
akaRevuenon Auto 55mm F/1.4 [Multi-Coated]		A? - ?0.50m⌀55 ●
Chinon Auto 55mm F/1.7 [Multi-Coated]
akaArgus Auto-Cintar 55mm F/1.7
akaEdixon Auto 55mm F/1.7
akaHanimar 55mm F/1.7
akaReflecta Auto 55mm F/1.7
akaRevuenon Auto 55mm F/1.7
akaWeltblick Auto Super 55mm F/1.7		A6 - 40.50m⌀52 ●
Cosina Tokyo Kogaku Auto-Topcor 58mm F/1.4 (1600 units)A7 - 60.45m⌀58 2003 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/2.8 Type 2
akaCarenar 55mm F/2.8
akaExaktar Auto 55mm F/2.8
akaPetri C.C Auto 55mm F/2.8
akaPorst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F/2.8 D
akaRevuenon Auto 55mm F/2.8		A4 - 30.90m⌀49 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/2.8 Type 1
akaEdixa Auto 55mm F/2.8
akaPorst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F/2.8
akaRevuetar Auto 55mm F/2.8
akaSuper Carenar 55mm F/2.8
akaVivitar Auto 55mm F/2.8		A4 - 30.90m⌀49 1968 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/1.4 [MC]
akaExaktar Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaKobanar Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaPanorama Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaPorst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F/1.4 [MC] [G]
akaRevuenon Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaSuper Carenar 55mm F/1.4
akaSuper Reflecta 55mm F/1.4
akaVivitar Auto 55mm F/1.4 VMC		A7 - 50.50m⌀55 1968 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/2.1
akaVivitar Auto 55mm F/2.1		A4 - 40.60m⌀49 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/1.2 MC Type 1A7 - 60.50m⌀55 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/1.2 MC Type 2A7 - 50.50m⌀55 ●
Cosina Cosinon Auto 55mm F/1.8A? - ?0.50m 1968 ●
Fuji Photo Film [EBC] Fujinon 55mm F/1.8A6 - 40.45m⌀49 1970 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon 55mm F/2.2A4 - 40.60m⌀49 1975 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon 55mm F/1.6A5 - 40.60m⌀49 1978 ●
Mamiya/Sekor Auto 55mm F/1.8A6 - 40.50m⌀52 1966 ●
Mamiya/Sekor SX Auto 55mm F/1.4A7 - 50.45m⌀52 1974 ●
Mamiya/Sekor SX Auto 55mm F/1.8A6 - 50.45m⌀52 1974 ●
Mamiya/Sekor Auto 55mm F/1.4A7 - 50.50m⌀55 ●
Mamiya-Sekor 58mm F/1.7 for CPA6 - 40.50m⌀52 1964 ●
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm F/1.9 VP5 - 40.60m⌀49 1952 ●
Petri C.C Auto 55mm F/1.8A6 - 40.60m⌀52 1973 ●
Petri C.C Auto 55mm F/1.7
akaPromatic C.C Auto 55mm F/1.7		A6 - 40.60m⌀52 1976 ●
Petri C.C Auto 55mm F/1.4A7 - 50.60m⌀55 1973 ●
Ricoh Rikenon Auto 55mm F/2.8A4 - 30.90m ●
Ricoh Rikenon Auto 55mm F/1.8A? - ?0.50m⌀52 ●
Ricoh Rikenon Auto 55mm F/1.4A6 - 50.50m⌀52 ●
Steinheil Munchen Auto-D-Quinon 55mm F/1.9 for Edixa-MATA6 - 40.35m⌀49 ●
Steinheil Munchen Quinon 55mm F/1.9 Optigon-Automatic FlashS6 - 40.50m⌀49 ●
Tomioka Yashinon Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1970 ●
Tomioka Chinon Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1970 ●
Tomioka Yashinon DS-M Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1973 ●
Tomioka Cosinon Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1970 ●
Tomioka Revuenon Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1970 ●
Tomioka Tominon Auto 55mm F/1.2A7 - 60.50m⌀55 1970 ●
Tomioka Chinon Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaBeroflex Ultra Auto 55mm F/1.4
akaSuper Reflecta 55mm F/1.4
akaTomioka Revuenon Auto 55mm F/1.4		A7 - 50.50m⌀55 ●
Vivitar Auto 55mm F/1.2 VMC (s/n 9xxxxxxx)A7 - 50.50m⌀55 ●
Yashica Yashinon Auto 55mm F/1.8A6 - 50.50m ●
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Pancolar 55mm F/1.4A7 - 50.39mE58 1966 ●
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Biotar 58mm F/2 T Type 1M6 - 40.90mE40.5 1946 ●
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Biotar 58mm F/2 T Type 2P6 - 40.50mE49 1950 ●
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Biotar 58mm F/2 [T] Type 3S6 - 4E49 1953 ●
■Interchangeable mount (1)
Tamron 58mm F/1.2 [T]
akaTaika Harigon 58mm F/1.2		P8 - 61.8 ft. 1960 ●

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