sergei_smirnoff Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>Does anybody know the difference between Helios 44-4 and Helios 44-2 lenses?<br> Ive just bought a Zenit 11 at a flea market but changed the lens in the process of purchase from the first to the second because the 44-4 didnt seem to display aperture movement inside.<br> Did I screw up?<br> Does zenit 11 and 44-2 work together?<br> Cheers</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfried_buechsenschuetz1 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>Maybe the aperture mechanism on the H44-4 lens is not working properly. Set the aperture to f/22, and press the pin on the rear of the lens. The aperture must close to a small hole only. If this is not the case, there is something broken.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_4525289 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>I think that H44-2 does not have an authomatic apperture. You have to preset it to the certain number and it stays fully open unless you turn the "stop" ring just prior the shooting all way to the right, or left ( I could not remember). H-44-4 has a pin, wich is engaged by the Z-11 mechanism to close the apperture to the working number when you press the release button. Z-11 should work with H-44-2.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergei_smirnoff Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>I see.<br> What is the rule with manual selection of aperture then?<br> Is it just according to the available light or...<br> how do the automatic apertures determine?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_4525289 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>Do you read Russian? If yes go to the KMZ website and download the Z-11 manual. I do not know is it available in English.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julio Fernandez Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 <p>I confirm that the Helios 44-2 has manual aperture, because I used one in my Zenit 3M for many years. <br> Auto aperture in a lens refers to the camera keeping the aperture full open so you can focus comfortably, and closing aperture just to take the photo, during the shutter release cycle. The closing is performed by a pin in the lens which is moved mechanically by the camera body. It is not related to autoexposure, in which the camera chooses the aperture automatically.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_daneliya Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 <p>Julio, I think your Helios was just "44", not "44-2", or maybe your Zenit-3M was rebuilt for 42mm thread mount (which is also possible).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_4525289 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 <p>George,<br> H-44 is one of the most mass-producing lenses in the word. They came in 10 different modifications. I may be wrong but it would be safe to assume that all H-44 (1-7) did not have an automatic apperture mechanism, exept variant for the Start. And all Helios 44M-(4-7) had that mechanisms.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_west1 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 <p>Hi Sergei,<br> You might try posting this question over on the Zenit camera users on the yahoo groups. They are a very knowledgable and friendly group with detailed info on anything regarding FSU cameras or lens.<br> Hope this helps....Ron</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergei_smirnoff Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 <p>thank you everybody for these valuable responses<br> as i understand, i landed myself accidentally with a manual aperture lens<br> i wonder if the 44-4 is better in any other way other than that...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_turner1 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 <p>The early Zenit Helios 44-2 for M42 lens mount is a single coated and preset / manual lens whereas the later lens variants are all auto diaphragm (with pin) except the not so common 44-3 which has multi coating. The 44M is single coated and includes a manual / auto selector which is nice if you use that lens on a camera that lacks body controlled stop down preview. Not many 44M-4 have multi coating but if you see a MC on its name ring then it does. The 44M-5, M6, M7 all seem to be quite similar and are multi coated. Not sure why Zenit made minor changes in those later multi coated models?? Not sure if the plant that made the lens makes much difference although KMZ apparently had a better reputation than Belomo for Zenit SLR production. I think many of the newest 44M lens series were made by Belomo. The 44-2, 44M-3 and 44M are handy when being using on certain modern digital SLRs that cannot push a M42 rear lens pin. I suggest you look for a 44M-4 MC or 44M-5 / 6. The 44M-7 might be fine too but harder to find (eBay, etc.). I do hope my explanation of the lens choices is correct; I'm sure we will hear if it is otherwise. All this Zenit lens compatibility assumes you prefer to keep the camera & lens origins within the same region. Otherwise you can choose many other M42 lenses with stop down pins and it's hard to go wrong as long as the lens / brand / lens maker has a good reputation.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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