Industar 61 silver vs black vs I-26M

[xxloverxx]

Going to get any one of these lenses, but I don't know which one I want yet.

From what I've seen, the I61 bokeh is slightly "harsher", while the 26M has a chance of being a bit swirly and "old"?

I'm not too concerned with sharpness.

Is it true that the silver 61 is engraved while the black is painted?

Going to need to buy this lens within…2 days, and even then I'm not confident that it'll arrive in time.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Try at least to get one that is truly set up for Leica focusing....that's more important IMO than which one you choose. BTW I like the older I61 vs the I26M.

 

[xxloverxx]

I'm not sure what you mean by "Leica focusing".

I thought the 61's newer than the 26M?

 

[wolves3012]

In chronological order there is the I-26M, I-61 and I-61 L/D. The I-61 is a bit higher contrast/saturation than the 26M but otherwise there's little to choose. The later I-61 L/D examples had printed markings (not painted), earlier ones were engraved. The I-61 (black/silver) ones are better made and have engraved markings (as does the 26M). Avoid the late L/D versions for build-quality and printed markings but optically they're as good.

By "Leica focussing" ray*j*gun is referring to the fact that Leica and FSU lenses use a slightly different focal length and camming. If you're using the lens on a Leica, that can matter. If you're using it on an FSU it's not relevant.

 

[Spider67]

Just my 2 cents: The I 61 and the I 61LD have click stops

 

[former member]

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91163

I've adjusted the I-61L/D before, and "hacked" a fix for the RF Cam. I've seen quite a few that the RF cam comes up short, and a 5m test target comes in at almost 7m on the distance scale.

I've also converted a couple for the Nikon and Contax, which is also not hard.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91164

 

[wolves3012]

Just my 2 cents: The I 61 and the I 61LD have click stops

Some of the late I-26M do as well, not so common but I have one.

 

[xxloverxx]

Bought the I26M; thanks all!