Helios 44M with a sensitive aperture ring

Jonno85uk · Feb 26, 2021

I have a Helios 44M whose aperture ring is incredibly easy to move. I've had several occasions where i've accidentally moved it ending up with ruined exposures.

Does anyone have any tips on how to modify the ring? I've got an idea of maybe creating some interference with some brass shim sheet but i'm wondering what others may suggest.

woodlandSerenade · Feb 26, 2021

If you don't mind doing some detective work and minor surgery on the lens, you may be able to swap out the aperture detent springs for some stronger ones. There are specialty spring manufacturers in like where you may be able to track down some stronger replacements - although these tend to be expensive.
A less expensive route would be to add tiny spacers behind the spring and detent ball, but if the detent spring is weak already, this may not do too much to stiffen everything up.

AgX · Feb 26, 2021

There are various aproches. Next to those above you could use damping grease or maybe bend the ring a bit to an oval form to create friction.

But in any case where there is a detent with a corresponding springloaded ball, I would start there.

Jonno85uk · Feb 26, 2021

Ah, the problem could be the detent. There is none felt. I wonder if some PO made the lens detentless. I had to take the aperture ring off after I got it as I discovered the auto/manual lever was stuck in manual and didn't see anything to do with a detent. I'll look again.

Bill Burk · Feb 26, 2021

Wait that lens is a pre-set with two rings. There should be one with detents and one that moves freely. It is intended to be loose as you focus and compose at wide aperture and stop down manually to shoot.

Of course you will get overexposures from time to time. I threw mine out because I hated that, but these days the lens is cherished for its quirky image quality

Jonno85uk · Feb 26, 2021

Bill Burk said:
Wait that lens is a pre-set with two rings. There should be one with detents and one that moves freely. It is intended to be loose as you focus and compose at wide aperture and stop down manually to shoot.

Of course you will get overexposures from time to time. I threw mine out because I hated that, but these days the lens is cherished for its quirky image quality

It's not a preset lens. It's wide open and automatically gets closed by the pin coming from the back of the lens when set to "A". In "M" it's always closed down to the set aperture.

I just took it apart. It's been made detentless. I can see where a spring + ball-bearing (x2) is meant to engage the aperture ring. They aren't there. I should have some bits lying around to have something better.

AgX · Feb 26, 2021

Bill Burk said:
Wait that lens is a pre-set with two rings. There should be one with detents and one that moves freely. It is intended to be loose as you focus and compose at wide aperture and stop down manually to shoot.

Yes, I have such lens where the actual diaphragm actuator ring can be moved too easily. Here my approoch will be the application of damping grease.

Bill Burk · Feb 26, 2021

Jonno85uk said:
It's not a preset lens. It's wide open and automatically gets closed by the pin coming from the back of the lens when set to "A". In "M" it's always closed down to the set aperture.

I just took it apart. It's been made detentless. I can see where a spring + ball-bearing (x2) is meant to engage the aperture ring. They aren't there. I should have some bits lying around to have something better.

Ok different than mine. You know some people like that whoever had it before you must’ve done it on purpose. Good luck finding the bits shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Jonno85uk · Feb 26, 2021

Bill Burk said:
Ok different than mine. You know some people like that whoever had it before you must’ve done it on purpose. Good luck finding the bits shouldn’t be too hard to find.

I had a look on google images. It seems the earlier helios (44-2) were preset lenses.

I found that the spring + ball from a broken Access SQ 135mm f3.5 lens I had worked fine. Don't feel like I need to replace the other in my helios.

Helios 44M with a sensitive aperture ring

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