Helios 44M Lens for Nikon F camera

[Austin O'Hara]

Instead of purchasing a 50mm Nikon 1.8 for an Nikon F camera, I am thinking of using an M42 Nikon adapter to use the Helios 44 M 2/58 lens which is quite cheap on eBay.
Is there any reason why this would not work since it is all manual focus?

 

[Hamish Gill]

it will work but you wont be able to focus to infinity
Have a read of this Flange focal distance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For a lens to be able to be adapted to your camera you need it to be from a system that has a larger flange focal distance (or flange back distance - FBD as I call it)
On that chart cameras are listed by order, shortest to longest FBD
So scroll down to Nikon F and you can see that anything below that can be adapted without the need for a corrective element in the mount
Cameras from larger systems don't need a corrective element as the difference can be made up in the thickness of the mount
Nikon F has a longer FBD than m44 therefore a corrective element is required to focus m42 lenses to infinity

two options use a adapter with a corrective element eg (cheap)
M42 Lens to Nikon Adaptor optical focus infinity zeiss | eBay
(not so cheap)
Nikon to M42 Lens Mount Adapter. Pro Quality from Kood. Infinity Focus Optic. | eBay

the issue here is that you are introducing an extra element of glass which will alter the image quality from the lens ... the better the mount, in theory the less effect the element will have

alternatively use an adapter without an element and deal with the fact that you cant focus the lens to infinity ... which to be fair you will probably rarely need to do ...
using a smaller aperture and focusing as close to infinity as it will allow will often get infinity in focus ... if that makes any sense?

 

[Austin O'Hara]

Great response

two options use a adapter with a corrective element eg (cheap)
[/COLOR]M42 Lens to Nikon Adaptor optical focus infinity zeiss | eBay
(not so cheap)
Nikon to M42 Lens Mount Adapter. Pro Quality from Kood. Infinity Focus Optic. | eBay

... if that makes any sense?

Many thanks for the excellent links Hamish.
It does makes sense.

 

[Hamish Gill]

No prob ... If you get one, will you let me know how you get on?
Ive just ordered a katzeye screen for my d700 and intend to get an adapter of some sort to use my grown m42 glass collection
this thread is worth a skim M42 to Nikon Adapter?

 

[Austin O'Hara]

I purchased the M42 Lens to Nikon Adaptor optical focus infinity zeiss and had to carry out the simple adjustment on the Helios 44 shown below.
Without this adjustment one cannot change the aperture.
Manual diaphragm Adapter Adjustment
Steps and detail.
This adjustment was not necessary for the Supar Takumar 1:2/55.
I was able to focus at infinity using my Nikon D80.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I think I have edited you post to show the correct image ... What is it that the picture shows?

 

[Austin O'Hara]

What is it that the picture shows?

I have re-edited my post to show Steps and detail.

 

[Hamish Gill]

So this is just needed for auto m42 lenses ...
im not sure I follow ... Doesn't the mount hold the pin in?

 

[Austin O'Hara]

Doesn't the mount hold the pin in?

No, not for the Helios 44, the mount (threaded flange) is too deep by about 2mm.
For the Takumar 1:2/55 the mount is fine and the pin is held in.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Ah I see ... I'm with you!
in that case, thanks for the link!