Quick answer
A Soviet 58mm f/2 standard lens in M42 mount, derived from the Zeiss Biotar design. It is known for swirly backgrounds.
Pros
- Swirly background blur
- Easy to adapt to mirrorless
- Metal build
Cons
- Soft and low in contrast wide open
- Flare is easy to provoke
- Sample quality varies
Verdict
This is a characterful lens for creative portraits. It is about the look, not clinical sharpness.
About this lens
KMZ Helios-44 58mm 1:2: a fast manual-focus standard prime lens with a 58mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2, made for M42 mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.
KMZ Helios-44 58mm 1:2 specifications
- Brand
- KMZ
- Mount
- M42
- Focal length
- 58mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Optical construction
- 6 elements in 4 groups
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.5 m
Specification source: zenitcamera.com
What can you shoot with the KMZ Helios-44 58mm 1:2?
- Experimental portraits
- Vintage-look photography
- Adapted mirrorless use
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 58mm | 34.5° | 40.9° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 87mm | 23.4° | 27.9° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 116mm | 17.6° | 21.1° |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Helios 44-2?
A 58mm f/2 M42 lens from the Soviet Union, based on a Zeiss Biotar layout, known for its swirly bokeh.
Can I use a Helios 44 on a modern camera?
Yes, with a simple M42 adapter on most mirrorless cameras. On DSLRs, an adapter may need a corrective element to reach infinity.
Does the KMZ Helios-44 58mm 1:2 autofocus?
No. It is manual focus, with manual or preset aperture control depending on version.
Alternatives for M42 from other brands
All M42 lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
