Industar 22 vs. Industar 50- differences?

[Merkin]

What are the differences between the 22 and the 50 collapsible? Is one much better than the other? Which has the higher rate of success as far as reliability and calibration goes?

 

[wolves3012]

Allegedly the I-50 is of a higher quality. Personally I've never noticed a difference between the I-50 and I-22. They're both quite sharp. A quick search will find you some threads on the experiences of others...

 

[xayraa33]

i have both and i cannot see any difference.

 

[sockeyed]

There's probably more sample variation within one model than there are differences between models. I have an I-50 and it's really not very good, but some people have really good copies.

 

[john341]

I have used both and the I-50 certainly produces sharper negs than the I-22 - then again the I-50 I bought is in mint condition and I would expect it to be better.

 

[wolves3012]

The Industar 50 collapsible is also rather less common I think. Mostly they came attached to a Zorki 5. Early Zorki models tended to have the I-22 and later ones mostly had rigid a I-50 or Jupiter 8, although there were the usual variations!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The Industar 50 collapsible is also rather less common I think. Mostly they came attached to a Zorki 5. Early Zorki models tended to have the I-22 and later ones mostly had rigid a I-50 or Jupiter 8, although there were the usual variations!

That's how I got my I-50. It came on a broken Zorki 5 that a friend gave me. The lens was in great condition so i use it on my Bessa-R2 with a LTM adapter. I am impressed with it; it is very sharp even wide open. The only downside is it won't collapse into the Bessa, but that's not a big deal.

Industar-50 at f5.6

 

[blazejs]

Here are some samples from collapsible I-50 wide open:

 

[ZorkiKat]

Assuming that the collapsible barrels aren't worn and still parallel when set at shooting position, it's HARD to see the difference between an I-22 and an I-50. I use both extensively, and I can't see the improvements the I-50 has over the I-22.

The rigid I-50 tend to do better because of its non-collapsible barrel. That's one variable less which can affect the focus. Later I-50 too, tend to have improved coatings so contrast, as well as colour rendering, will look better.

Industar-22 + Leitz Deep Red filter:

 

[rxmd]

Hi Jay,

that is quite a good picture!

Philipp

 

[ZorkiKat]

Hi Jay,

that is quite a good picture!

Philipp

Thanks Philipp. This MacArthur monument was based on a photograph by Carl Mydans.