Rent Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 (M42 Mount)
A vintage 58mm manual prime prized for swirled bokeh and expressive optical character.
Production-ready
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24 hour review
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Delivery made simple
Convenient delivery coordinated around your production.
Overview
The Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 is a vintage manual lens originally produced in the Soviet Union, known for its distinctive swirly bokeh and soft, character-rich image rendering. It features an M42 screw mount and fully manual focus and aperture controls, with an aperture range from f/2 to f/16. The lens is often adapted for use on modern mirrorless and cinema cameras via M42 adapters. With a 58mm focal length and a 6-blade diaphragm, it delivers a unique visual signature that has gained popularity among filmmakers. Notably, the Helios 44-2 has been used to achieve stylized looks in major productions such as The Batman (2022) and Dune (2021), where its optical imperfections contributed to the films' distinctive visual aesthetics.
Signature swirled bokeh
Distinctive vintage rendering
Fast f/2 aperture
Shallow depth of field
Two mount adapters
EF and Sony E compatibility
Fully manual control
Intentional focus and exposure
- Focal length
- 58mm
- Aperture range
- f/2 to f/16
- Native mount
- M42 screw mount
- Included adapters
- M42 to EF and M42 to Sony E
- Focus
- Manual
- Diaphragm
- 6 blades
- Confirm the correct mount adapter is secure before attaching the lens to the camera.
- Use manual focus assist or magnification when working near f/2.
- Place highlights toward the edges of frame to emphasize the lens’s swirled bokeh.
- Expect vintage optical variation and test the desired look during prep.
Recommended Add-ons
Curated gear that pairs perfectly with this rental.
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* Reduced add-on rates apply when rented with this item.
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