The Helios 44-2 58mm is a Soviet standard lens from 1967, originally developed for still photography.
1. Overview
The Helios 44-2 58mm is a standard Soviet lens from 1967, originally developed for still photography. Ironglass rehouses it in their MKII series, transforming a mass-produced item into a tool usable on cinema sets with a standardized focus ramp and PL or LPL mount.
2. Characteristics
Flare behavior according to CINEFLARES datasheet:
- Types: Spherical Spot, Veiling, Caustic
- Colors: Blue, Amber, Purple, Yellow
- Intensity: Strong
Linked pattern entries:
3. Creative Use
The lens operates spherically (1.0x) and delivers a pronounced swirl bokeh at its widest aperture (T2.1), which is characteristic of the Helios design. Flares are strong—spherical spots, veiling, and caustic patterns in blue, amber, and purple. This makes it unsuitable for controlled, clean visual styles but useful when texture and imperfection are desired. It typically finds its place in the indie and music video realm, where rental budgets are small and the look is more important than technical perfection. It's rarely seen in larger productions due to insufficient control for consistent results across a set.
4. Specs Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ironglass |
| Type | Prime FF |
| Year | 1967 |
| Country | USSR |
| Era | Vintage |
| Focal Length (Reference Datasheet) | 58.0mm |
| T-Stop Range | T2.1 – T22.0 |
| Squeeze | 1.0× |
| Weight | 0.75 kg / 1.65 lb |
| Close Focus | 0.46 m / 1'6" |
| Distortion | Barrel |
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Helios 44-2 58mm"?