Helios 44 for Nikon?

RLangham · Apr 30, 2020

StepheKoontz said:
It's not a Sonnar design, it's a Gaussian type. The only "normal" 135 film lens of the Sonnar design was the very early preset Takumar 58mm f2.

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0002/index.htm

Yes, a fairly odd-looking gaussian in profile, but definitely a 6-element variant on the double Gauss, as the Biotar before it.

StepheKoontz · Apr 30, 2020

RLangham said:
Yes, a fairly odd-looking gaussian in profile, but definitely a 6-element variant on the double Gauss, as the Biotar before it.

It actually an outstanding lens, much sharper than the Takumar Sonnar. But the Sonnar, well it's a Sonnar

blockend · May 1, 2020

StepheKoontz said:
It's not a Sonnar design, it's a Gaussian type.

Are the Nikon rangefinder 50s Sonnars? My experience of the type is limited to Jupiter lenses (several) and honestly I prefer the Helios 103. Can't remember if that's a Summar or Summitar copy.

edit: just came across this article on the subject:
https://www.35mmc.com/29/04/2020/the-magic-of-the-pre-war-zeiss-jenna-5cm-sonnars-by-brian-sweeney/

Ian Grant · May 1, 2020

blockend said:
Are the Nikon rangefinder 50s Sonnars? My experience of the type is limited to Jupiter lenses (several) and honestly I prefer the Helios 103. Can't remember if that's a Summar or Summitar copy.

edit: just came across this article on the subject:
https://www.35mmc.com/29/04/2020/the-magic-of-the-pre-war-zeiss-jenna-5cm-sonnars-by-brian-sweeney/

The Helios 103 was a Russian improved version of the Jupiter 8 so unrelated to a Leitz lens. I process and printed some films late 1970's for friends (twins) who used a Kiev 4 with the Helios 103 and was surprised how good the lens was.

Ian

blockend · May 1, 2020

Ian Grant said:
I process and printed some films late 1970's for friends (twins) who used a Kiev 4 with the Helios 103 and was surprised how good the lens was.

When my third Kiev 4 died last year, I gave up on the Helios 103. If I could find something decent and serviceable to hang it on, I'd be using it today. The combination of sharpness with softness, and colour rendition is superior to any lens I've used.

Ian Grant · May 1, 2020

blockend said:
When my third Kiev 4 died last year, I gave up on the Helios 103. If I could find something decent and serviceable to hang it on, I'd be using it today. The combination of sharpness with softness, and colour rendition is superior to any lens I've used.

I need to get out with my Biotar, and also try it alongside my Helios 44. Just need to remember what films I have loaded in my Praktina and Spotmatic F, hopefully I can tell from the ASA dial

Ian

ChristopherCoy · May 1, 2020

I bought my 44-2 from this guy on the Bay. Came with a M42 to Nikon F mount adapter. Seems to work just fine to me. These were shot on my D700.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Lenses/332...PageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_ssn=its.vintage.time

RLangham · May 1, 2020

StepheKoontz said:
It actually an outstanding lens, much sharper than the Takumar Sonnar. But the Sonnar, well it's a Sonnar

I bought a late m42 one recently with a frozen focus ring. I couldn't fix it, but now that I have a Zenit S I'm going to order a z39 Helios soon.

StepheKoontz · May 1, 2020

blockend said:
Are the Nikon rangefinder 50s Sonnars?

The 50mm f2 and f1.4 rangefinder optics are sonnar designs.

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index.htm

Helios 44 for Nikon?

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