Industar 26M

[Berndt]

I got my first FED 2 last week, having an Industar 26M ( 5cm/f:2.8 ) mounted ( I think, it is even the standard lens on this type of camera ).

What I found, while searching for other cameras ( I couldn't resist, ordering two other models in red and green as well ), that some sellers from the Ukraine are having a funny "warning" on their E-Bay page:
"This is an old lens/camera from the 60s. Please do not expect the quality of a modern japanese digital camera."
That made me laugh ... hahaha ... and I felt challenged to do a little test, mounting the lens on my GH1.

I thought, I share my test shots with you and think, that this lens doesn't perform as bad as its reputation

flic.kr/s/aHsjCR7gZ7

[col]

Hi Berndt I have several Industar lenes and reckon most of the time the results are fine. The only real problem I have found is some of the have a hot spot.

[Stephen]

There is nothing wrong with a Russian made Industar lens, except the early collapsible versions, where flare is very high and contrast is far lower. By the 1950's and the fixed body versions, they should be all right, and rival any equivalent type.

They are a four element type, one cemented pair, the elements arranged much like an Tessar, and made in very many versions from F3.5 to F2.8. The very late 1990's versions were multi coated as well.

All earlier ones benefit from a hood to match, to help lower flare etc. They should give even illumination, one that hot spots is a real Friday afternoon job, and shows the really poor USSR quality control.

They should work well on digital cameras, as the image compared to full frame is cropped, minimising any drop off at the edge. The colour balance is pretty neutral on film, and the images published bear this out on digital.

Stephen.

[SuperDeluxe]

Nov 15, 2012 6:36:19 GMT -5 Berndt said:

I thought, I share my test shots with you and think, that this lens doesn't perform as bad as its reputation

flic.kr/s/aHsjCR7gZ7

The test shots look more than fine to me.

The warning is a riot :) It kinda reminds me of the warning that appears on most paper coffee cups ("Caution, contents hot!"). Of course this warning has to do with some crazy lawsuit in the U.S. two decades ago. The Ukrainian warning? LOL.

[Berndt]

The only real problem I have found is some of the have a hot spot.

My ignorance may be forgiven ... what is a "hot spot" ?

[col]

Hello Berndt the hotspot phenomenon is caused internal reflections inside the lens, that shows up as small light patchs when printed. More prevelant at smaller apertures. But can be eliminated just by changing the aperture.

[Berndt]

They should work well on digital cameras, as the image compared to full frame is cropped, minimising any drop off at the edge.

I actually liked it on Full Frame/35mm film too. Not looking at the boring subject ( just my bicycle ) and the quality of this cheap chinese Lucky film, the lens doesn't look bad, I think.


bicycle by bokuwanihongasuki, on Flickr

[Stephen]

The hot spots mentioned probably come from the Russian habit of not painting the brass paints, but relying on a bronzing black solution to chemically black the parts.

The type they used was selenium based "gun black" and with exposure to light it fades away over time, leaving only a bronze/yellow/gold coloured surface, which being well finished brass reflects light wonderfully, precisely what is not needed inside a lens.

Due to the dark oxides created after treating the brass or steel, it cannot be repeated, so paint must be used.

The more correct optical grade blacking for brass is copper carbonate based, but matt paint is far better.

The modern Industar type lenses are blackened by anodising or painting, and do not suffer from the issue. The older collapsible types can be improved by stripping down, and painting the internals matt black.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

Shot of an Industar from a pre war FED 1, a collapsible Elmar clone, 4 element, that has recoverable un-coated glass parts, the rest will be cleaned and painted, it shows the faded chemical blackening inside the front above the iris, it reflects a gold yellow glow as well as making spots via the light at a tangent to the image forming light.
The very same mistake was made on Agilux 35mm cameras in the 1950's, the last, the Agimatic had blackened parts by the same chemicals, and they fade to golden bronze. In Agi's case the internals were painted, but it left the front and the rear one ring bright and reflective.
Stephen.

[mickeyobe]

Nov 15, 2012 9:36:07 GMT -5 Berndt said:

They should work well on digital cameras, as the image compared to full frame is cropped, minimising any drop off at the edge.

I actually liked it on Full Frame/35mm film too. Not looking at the boring subject ( just my bicycle ) and the quality of this cheap chinese Lucky film, the lens doesn't look bad, I think.


bicycle by bokuwanihongasuki, on Flickr

berndt,

I am not a bicycle expert but yours seems rather peculiar.

I have never seen the hand brake set so close to the headset. Is there a reason for this?

Also I have never seen the hand brake for the front brake on the right side of the headset. Is that for left handed people?

Mickey

[SidW]

I don't know where you heard that Berndt, I've only heard a good
reputation for Industars.

This was taken on Kodachrome in 2006 using a newly acquired FED2e
with the M26:


And this was taken in 1959 on Agfa CT18 using a (then) relatively new
FED1g with the Elmar look-alike Industar 22:

[Berndt]

Thanks everybody for the interesting feedback and information about hot spots and stuff. I learned something new again.

I have never seen the hand brake set so close to the headset. Is there a reason for this?

Mmmh ... it's actually not so close ( maybe just looks so on the picture ? ). It's located at the end of the handles.

Also I have never seen the hand brake for the front brake on the right side of the headset. Is that for left handed people?

I never thought about that actually ... hahaha ... is it different in other countries ? I can't remember. One reason might be, that people also drive on the left side of the road here in Japan ( same as in the UK ), but I don't know. Cars do also have the handle on the right side here. Gear for left handers