Helios 44M-7 58mm 1:2.0 vs Minolta MC Rokkor PF 58mm 1:1.4 – comparison
Helios vs Minolta 58mm comparison
- Minolta MC Rokkor PF 58mm 1:1.4 (MC II)
- Helios 44M-7 58mm 1:2.0 (M42)
Everyone knows who will be a winner, but let’s check.
| Minolta MC Rokkor PF
58mm 1:1.4 |
Helios 44M-7
58mm 1:2.0 |
|
| Serial: | 5511719 | 93490252 |
| Optical Condition: | Mint | Good |
| Mechanical Condition: | Near Mint | Very Good |
| Cosmetic Condition: | Near Mint | Good |
This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results can differ if any element is changed.
Tested lenses reviews
Helios vs Minolta 58mm comparison – sharpness/resolution
Long-distance test description
- Camera Sony A7II (24mpx, full frame) – RAW (ARW), tripod, A-mode, ISO 100, WB fixed, SteadyShot OFF, manual focus correction for every shot
- Targets (buildings) – fixed by gravity power on the distances in more than 200 meters
- ARW post-processing – Capture One, default settings, 100% crops 300×200 px
Scene preview
Test results
Short-distance test description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance: 1.7m
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
- The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)
Test results
Helios vs Minolta 58mm comparison – final conclusion
I don’t think that my conclusion is required here, because this is a great example of a clearly visible difference between lenses. Minolta has won.
4 Comments
Marius · 2023-02-09 at 13:33
Minolta is the winner! the question is Minolta capable to create same bokeh like Helios ?!
Tony · 2023-02-09 at 15:02
I think there are no copies in terms of bokeh. On the other hand, Minolta has her own bokeh-queens. Anyway, bokeh is a very personal item to compare it directly and unbiased
William Bolton · 2023-08-27 at 03:53
I found this article when I was looking for a comparison of the Minolta (58mm f1.4) and Helios (58mm f2) lenses. I have two Helios 44s, a 44-3 and a 44M-4. I used to have two 44M-4s and also a 44M-6, but one of the 44M-4s was sharper and so I kept it and sold the other M-4 and the M-6. The 44-3 has a different character. Although later iterations of the Helios lens are supposed to be better, at least in terms of resolution, than earlier ones, my experience says that isn’t necessarily so, and I suspect there is more sample variation in Helios lenses than in the products of certain well-regarded German and Japanese manufacturers. I am considering getting the Minolta lens because of its value and wanted to see what I could expect vis a vis the Helios. My 44M-4 may be sharper than the 44M-7 used in the tests.
The MFD of the two lenses is different, 0.5 meters for the Helios and 0.7 meters for the Minolta.
Tony · 2023-08-27 at 16:20
Hi William, by my experience with about ten Helioses of different times and models – they may have more or less sharpness if to compare Helios with Helios, but in comparison with Minolta that deviations doesn’t matter – too huge difference. I love Helios but for rendering not for sharpness. Just my opinion