Do I have a i-61 or i-61LD?

[blacknoise]

Hey there,

I was looking at Princelle's book and it says that some of the silver/black i61's are the LD without markings (unless im reading it wrong :S) and that some Fed 4's had the LD lens. My FED 4 has a lens which is marked N-61 2,8/53 with a fed logo. The serial is 9011167, I have read on the net somewhere (cant find the link now) that serials starting like this could be the LD, is this the case?

The S/N of my camera is 038021 if this helps.

Thanks

Rob

 

[brachal]

From what I've read/heard, all 61's had Lanthanum glass and the 61LD was just a rebadging with a different finish. Most people seem to prefer the silver/black (Panda) version of the lens as build quality is usually better than the all-black LD.

 

[blacknoise]

ahhh, thinking about it, thats what the book seems to imply.

I do prefer the look of the older ones (mine has alternating silver/black rings), could do with a CLA tho, has a bit of an issue with the grease in the focusing helical. But I recall seeing a guide on the net and it looked easy enough. So might give it a shot 🙂

Thanks for that clarification 🙂

Rob

 

[SimonK]

"But I recall seeing a guide on the net and it looked easy enough."

Easy as pie. I am the world's least practical fella - if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[blacknoise]

haha, well I could do the CLA on my Zorki easy enough 😛

Ive got it stripped down to the distance scale, problem is I cant seem to shift the screws holding it on 🙁

Any ideas?

 

[nzeeman]

i think you have panda version. they are marked i-61. they also have lanthanum as i heard.

 

[SimonK]

Are you using this?

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/industar_relubing/index.html

 

[myoptic3]

Thanks for the link to Matt Denton's site SimonK. He breaks it down very clearly. I have a LD61 and it has that smooth, then tight, then smooth focus issue. Time to pull it apart and get it ship shape.

 

[blacknoise]

yeah, thats the guide im using. Im stuck at the point where I need to remove the distance scale (well, it says you can leave it on and still get at the helical limiting screw, but I cant seem to), but I cant remove the distance scale because the screws seem stuck. Any ideas how I can remove them?

 

[Welsh_Italian]

It sounds like a plain I-61. I have one too and prefer the pictures to the I-61 LD I have. This is a big shame really because I moved country recently and found that my beloved plain I-61 now has fungus on the lens...

I even want to get the I-61 LZ which is the Industar 61 with an M42 thread for SLRs (Am I a heretic for mentioning this here? 😉)

 

[brachal]

Have you tried Kim Coxon's site?

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htm

 

[SimonK]

I can't help you with those pesky screws. I have 'done' three lenses and found that judiciously applied brute force seemed to shift them. Of course, they don't have to be completely removed, just loosened.

 

[Spyderman]

A drop of WD40 always helps when loosening stuck screws. But don't apply directly from the can, spray it in the cap and apply by a toothpick.

 

[blacknoise]

hey

Tried the trick with the oil, worked a treat 🙂

I managed to lube up the helical, now it feels smooth. But still rather heavy. Any idea what the problem is? Ive tried a disassembly and cleaning off some of the excess grease. The stuff i used is "servisol silicone grease" from Maplin electronics.

Thanks for all the help so far guys 🙂

Rob

 

[Kapa]

I've got the Panda version on my Fed 4 (8979471) and it has the same issue of not very smooth focusing. However I dont trust myself doing a cla. Do these ease up with use?
Does the serial number refer to date of production. This is my 2nd Fed 4, and IMHO the Fed 4 is my favorite late Fed user... smooth film advance and even a fairly accurate meter. Just wish it had a bigger and brighter VF ...

 

[raid]

I am waiting for my I61 in Contax Mount from Brian.

 

[brachal]

I've got the Panda version on my Fed 4 (8979471) and it has the same issue of not very smooth focusing. However I dont trust myself doing a cla. Do these ease up with use?
Does the serial number refer to date of production. This is my 2nd Fed 4, and IMHO the Fed 4 is my favorite late Fed user... smooth film advance and even a fairly accurate meter. Just wish it had a bigger and brighter VF ...

In my experience they don't ease up. After a number of years, the grease gets waxy. The only solution it to relube the lens. The serial number does not refer to the date of production on a Fed lens (I-10, I-26, I-61). They had their own scheme ... I haven't been able to figure it out, but it isn't date of production.

 

[CCCPcamera]

What's the word on the I 69 quality wise? Would it work on my Bessa R (besides the frame line issue)? Looks like a fun lens and ridiculously cheap.

 

[wolves3012]

What's the word on the I 69 quality wise? Would it work on my Bessa R (besides the frame line issue)? Looks like a fun lens and ridiculously cheap.

They are a very sharp and contrasty lens. Try to avoid the last-made ones since they are poorly made (based on my samples). The "Panda" version (black/silver) is probably the best for manufacturing quality. Count on a re-lube, I've yet to find an I-26 or I-61 that didn't need it but it really isn't a difficult job - just messy!

EDIT: I'm assuming you meant an I-61. I don't think there is an I-69.

 

[CCCPcamera]

the I 69? I've never seen it before...a 28mm/2.8. looks sort of cheap but inexpensive and compact.