Helios 44M-4 vs Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm | Vintage lens comparison

A quick comparison between two vintage M42 lenses. The Helios, originally a Russian copy of the Carl Zeiss Biotar, but nowadays a bit of a 'hipster lens' known for its 'swirley bokeh'. Versus the classic East German Oreston 50mm (Zebra version) which later evolved into a Pentacon auto 50 mm f/1.8

Which lens do you prefer?

[elfynjones]

Really useful comparison thank you. I am blown away by the Oreston, to my eye it appears sharper than the Helios, has more contrast and has the bokeh I am comfortable with. The bonus is the close focusing distance 😊 Thanks again👍

[MarkHoltze]

Good comparison mate! Very effective at showcasing the differences!!!

[jeghedderhenrik]

i got the later version of the oreston, rebranded pentacon prakticar, and several versions of helios, , , i reconize your results and thanks you a million times for this wonderful way of comparing, brilliant, and i too love both brand / lenses

[MarcLerchs]

Thank You for sharing. I'm in vintage lenses, and this test is awesome. I have both, my favorite is the Preston ;) (night pics in your vid are amazing, stars on the bulbs are so sharp on the Preston. I like also the "hexagonal" bokeh on the flowers... :) Greetings from Belgium.

[selkiemaine]

I'm going with the Oreston. I just find the bokeh more pleasing, though it seems to have worse flare resistance at night. Both are very nice.

[onsnovac]

Hello!
I have both of these lenses, both SUPEER! My HELIOS is a little bit sharper wide open, but the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston is my choice!
Both lenses are very atmospheric wide open, but the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston gives more honest COLOR, and works softer with volumes. I like this better. And, in general, in general, both lenses are very good, very desirable!
Good luck to all!
Good pictures and enjoy shooting!

[michaelpressey]

Really like the method and delivery of comparison, have a couple of Helios that I am happy with seriously considering a Meyer Optik Gorlitz. Thank You for review.

[CoutoCameraCompany]

They both have such nice characteristics... very well done! Excellent footage.

[northstar]

I have both of these lenses and looking at your photos I think I prefer the Helios.

[dhanil]

I love both 🙂However I woudn't use them to shoot every sublect, to me it would be Helios for portraits and Oreston for versatile photo ( street, nature and so on)

[ianharper]

Hi there. Thanks for a useful video. I found it quite interesting that the Oreston had hexagonal bokeh at f2.8 but the Helios was still roundish.

[Ken-pcjj]

I liked your video.To be fair, I don't own a Helios but I think most Helios' are currently over priced for what you get. I have a 55mm f1.8 Super-Takumar that can produce swirl like the Helios, based on pictures I have seen. It cost me $20, and a little effort to clean it and tighten some loose screws. It also produces wonderful colors. My Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston 50mm F1.8 was my first vintage lens purchase. Currently I have 5 great vintage lenses. However, my Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston is still my favorite. When paired with a focusing helicoid adapter, the close focus distance makes it a great macro lens as well.

[FlashMediaStudiosTV]

Nice comparison- I find the bokeh from the Helios sometimes distracting . Both outstanding lens . Great shots .🦾🦾

[jsgg]

Chills! This enjoyable scenes! Great effort!! I like! Great video! Smooth timing! Watched till the end i did.

[kevmoiz]

"nice vid, its the Meyer for me because of the closer focusing!" cheers

[GrumpyTim]

Hi Ohjajohh, nice lens comparison video - I have both of those lenses - for still photography I think I prefer the Oreston - I've got some cracking shots out of mine. I think the Helios looks a little more cinematic for video use but that's just my personal opinion. Like you, if I only had to keep one it would be the Oreston purely because of that great close focus ability. In fairness to the Helios, I haven't really used it that much - I have a half shot video using it that I really need to finish one of these days!!

I've got a Helios 44-2 on order (found it cheap, attached to an unpopular camera on EBAY) so it'll be interesting to see how that compares to the technically superior 44M-4.

[onsnovac]

Всем привет!
У меня есть оба эти объектива, оба SUPEER! Мой HELIOS чуть чуть чуть резче на открытой диафрагме, но Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston мой выбор!
Оба объектива очень атмосферные на открытой диафрагме, но Meyer-Optik Görlitz Oreston даёт более честный COLOR, и мягче работает с объёмами. Это мне больше нравится. А, в целом, в общем оба объектива очень хороши, очень желанны!
Всем удачи!
Хороших снимков и удовольствия от съёмки!

[matheusduboc]

Such nice video!! Thx a lot. What about the Oreston Focus ring?

[wutangpaul]

In the first shot, the Oreston appears to be much, much darker. Is that because of cloud in the background?

[FlySoul]

Thanks for sharing. Very good video. Keep it up. See you for the next video my friend