Revised version of the Helios 44 with improved coating — retains the characteristic swirly bokeh.
Technical Details
The Helios 44-2 features a maximum aperture of f/2 with a focal length of 58mm, corresponding to a slight wide-angle character. The minimum focusing distance is 0.5 meters, and the filter diameter is 52mm. The lens weighs 230 grams and measures 46mm in length. The 13-blade iris diaphragm creates the characteristic swirly bokeh with spiraling out-of-focus areas at the image edges when wide open. It was originally produced with M39 and M42 mounts, and later also for Pentax K and other mounts.
History & Development
Development began in 1958 at the ZOMZ factory (later LZOS) in Sergiyev Posad, based on design documents for the Biotar, developed by Willy Merté at Zeiss in 1927. Various Soviet factories produced the lens until 1992, including the Jupiter factory in Novgorod and KMZ in Krasnogorsk. The different production sites can be identified by varying engravings and serial numbers. The "44" in the designation refers to the serial number in the Soviet lens catalog, and the "-2" indicates the revised version compared to the original Helios 44.
Practical Use in Film
The characteristic swirly bokeh makes the Helios 44-2 particularly interesting for portraits and subjective camera work. Cinematographer Sean Baker used the lens for experimental sequences in "Tangerine" (2015) to enhance the psychedelic atmosphere. At f/2, it produces a soft, dreamlike look with strong bokeh swirl, while from f/4 onwards, sharpness increases significantly and the swirl effect diminishes. Manual focusing requires precise work but rewards with an organic image aesthetic.
Comparison & Alternatives
Modern alternatives such as the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art or Canon 50mm f/1.2L offer higher optical precision but do not achieve the characteristic vintage look of the Helios. The original Zeiss Biotar, as a collector's item, costs 20 times as much but offers marginally better image quality. For an authentic retro aesthetic without the swirl effect, the Helios 44 (without "-2") or the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 are suitable. The Helios 40-2 85mm f/1.5 expands the series with a portrait focal length of a similar character.