Converting a Helios 44 lens to Nikon F Mount

[Steve Smith]

Earlier this week, there was some talk here about using an old Helios 44 lens on a Nikon camera. As I had three of these lenses, I foolishly suggested that I might try to convert one to Nikon mount.

So I did it:

You can buy adaptors to fit M42 lenses to Nikons but as the Nikon register distance is 1.04mm longer than M42, it is not possible to get infinity focus (unless you use an adaptor with a lens element).

I removed the existing mount/back plate and measured its thickness at 6.6mm. Then I took a Nikon F mount off of an old, broken, third party Nikon fit lens. After filing down a ridge on the back, this measured 4mm thick so I would now be 2.6mm closer than before. To get to the correct distance, I needed a spacer 1.56mm thick. I had some 1.5mm black plastic which was close enough so I made a spacer which was a bit larger diameter than the mount in order for it to act in its other capacity as a flange to stop the aperture ring from falling off.

Anyway, I proved to myself that it can be done.

And then today I read that these were made in Nikon F and Pentax K mounts so I needn't have bothered!


Steve.

 

[trevorbray]

Well done for giving it a go. Something I'd never have the aptitude or attitude for.

 

[Cezar]

Good job, it's a great lens I used both 44-2 and 44m-4 on my Canon DSLR.

 

[steveclem]

Sounds like a great little project and keeps those older and less known lenses in the loop.
Good on you for trying, perhaps next time a step by step picture story?

 

[Cezar]

Helios 44 type is a very, very popular lens. Every Zenit came with one!

 

[Jao]

Respect, iron filings, proper fiddling and fixing, I love it!

 

[freecom2]

Great conversion - a step by step tutorial would be fantastic and I imagine would be well received by the DIY film community.

 

[Steve Smith]

Great conversion - a step by step tutorial would be fantastic and I imagine would be well received by the DIY film community.

O.K. then, I will try to do it over the weekend although there's not a lot to see really.

You just remove the old mount, measure the fixing hole positions, make a template to drill the new mount, make the spacer then screw it all together.

It does help that I have the use of a CNC router at work to make the spacer and drilling template.


Steve.

 

[ChrisR]

You just remove the old mount, measure the fixing hole positions, make a template to drill the new mount, make the spacer then screw it all together.

It does help that I have the use of a CNC router at work to make the spacer and drilling template.

Just a bit!

 

[Steve Smith]

I use it to make wood and brass cameras too!


Steve.

 

[Morinaka]

I have one of these knocking about with no camera to use it on so if i could get it to mount with infinity on my Nikon FE and D7000 with a fairly simple guide it would be appreciated.

 

[philslizzy]

Helios 44 type is a very, very popular lens. Every Zenit came with one!

Mine came with the Industar 50mm f3.5.

Good conversion, well done. I converted a couple of Zuikos using a reversing ring with the filter thread sawn off. After seeing Leitax's prices I thought I'd do my own. Very similar process to yours.

I have been tempted to convert my Helios 44-2, but I have other cameras to use it on. So I manage with a lensed adapter, its ok if you drop a couple of stops. At 5.6 you don't notice it's there

 

[Cezar]

Mine came with the Industar 50mm f3.5.

Good conversion, well done. I converted a couple of Zuikos using a reversing ring with the filter thread sawn off. After seeing Leitax's prices I thought I'd do my own. Very similar process to yours.

I have been tempted to convert my Helios 44-2, but I have other cameras to use it on. So I manage with a lensed adapter, its ok if you drop a couple of stops. At 5.6 you don't notice it's there

maybe not every Zenit but certainly most, I'm on a hunt for that Industar though, apparently it's pretty good.

 

[philslizzy]

maybe not every Zenit but certainly most, I'm on a hunt for that Industar though, apparently it's pretty good.

I never thought so at the time, it really went off at the corners. But it maybe ok on crop sensors. The aperture in front of the lens is fiddly and because the lens is so flat, fiddly to focus when you've got fat fingers. Used on a Nex or m4/3 with a deep adapter it may be easier to use. I'm in no rush to get another. I'm happy with my Helios and Jupiter 8 50's.

Good luck finding one, they're not that hard to find, but we all like a bargain eh!

 

[robhooley167]

I have an Industar, very slow at f3.5 but it's certainly small.

 

[philslizzy]

1 and half stops slower but not that slow. On digicams you just bang up the ISO. Enjoy.

You know I might just......







......nah, enough 50'

edit: Hey Rob, there's a guy at work with hair just like yer avatar, who is it??

 

[RaglanSurf]

edit: Hey Rob, there's a guy at work with hair just like yer avatar, who is it??

Now this is where it gets tricky *** you're either only 12, over 80 or have been brought up in a cave by wolves.

I'll let Rob reveal his true identity

 

[AJQS]

If you fancy a project I've a little Minolta 45mm that I'd dearly love to use on Nikon mount!

 

[robhooley167]

edit: Hey Rob, there's a guy at work with hair just like yer avatar, who is it??

Beaker, the hapless lab assistant from the Muppets



(waits for Woodsy to comment)

 

[Andysnap]

Or maybe mine......

No, I need to be nice to you until after saturday.

 

[philslizzy]

Now this is where it gets tricky *** you're either only 12, over 80 or have been brought up in a cave by wolves.

I'll let Rob reveal his true identity

Somewhere in between 12 & 80. I never really liked the muppets though. I guessed the character was a muppet but could he easily have been from sesame st.

Beaker, the hapless lab assistant from the Muppets



(waits for Woodsy to comment)

Someone at work passed the comment: "doesn't that guy look like Beaker off the Muppets" so I already knew.

but just out of interest and completely off topic.

Rob you're from Manchester do you know Johnny Roadhouse's shop on Oxford Rd? Well the late Johnny Roadhouse was 'Muppetised' I had the privilege to know this guy.

spot the difference

 

[robhooley167]

Rob you're from Manchester do you know Johnny Roadhouse's shop on Oxford Rd? Well the late Johnny Roadhouse was 'Muppetised' I had the privilege to know this guy.

spot the difference

Yes I know the shop, I'm based just around the corner from it at Uni.

I can't see any difference between those two :nuts: