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[Waynemel]

I have a Helios 44 and I was wondering if anyone has seen this version before. It is a plain Helios-44, all black gloss paint, all white lettering on the barrel, KMZ manufactured, serial No. N0359689. The other important fact is that it is an M42

[Reborn7]

This is a very common lens in Europe, often comes with the Zenith 12xp reflexcamera, amongst other ...

[Waynemel]

I don't think we are talking about the same variant. The lens is a Helios-44, not 44-2, 44-3, 44M-4 or other. The only versions of the plain 44 that I have seen are silver m39 mounts.

[Br1078lum]

Wayne, this site http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/lenses/index.htm
lists the Helios-44 under the M39 lenses, but then

[Br1078lum]

Wayne, another, more comprehensive site on Russian lenses has it as either a bayonet for the Start camera, or M39x1.  Here is a link to the translated page.  
[url=http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.z

[Msiegel]

The serial no. of the lens does not show usual pattern (first two digits being the production year) so it might be from a special run. IIRC Zenit changed from M39 to M42 with the Zenit B - there are early Bs with M39 mount but the  majority is M42. Maybe

[Glenn]

As you do not picture or describe the lens in detail, it is impossible to make any educated comments or give any constructive pointers. If one wants to believe any of the crap that is posted on the internet about this series of lenses, the single zero

[Waynemel]

Here are a couple of photos for Glenn:


 


 
 
As you can see, the markings are

[Glenn]

The link below would seem to suggest that your lens is the 44-2 version - given the general construction shape of the rear mount.
 
http://www.novacon.com.br/techhel.htm
 
Given the

[Hans Kerensky]

Could it be that it is a M44-2 with a replaced front lens ring coming from a M44 ?

[Waynemel]

That could be possible I suppose. Some other smaller differences (other than those already mentioned) are that it has some set screws that are smaller than on my 44-2, and the coatings are a different colour. The front rim is flat and black (it looks li

[Glenn]

Small set screws are certainly a feature of the original M39 mount version of this lens. You could say that over the production run, of this series of lenses, the construction and cosmetic design got somewhat 'courser' - hence the larger screwhead