50/35 Elmar type: versions?

[mike goldberg]

Hi All... It is 50/3.5... a little typo above 😱

I want to order a Collapsible 50 for my FED-2, which is in the mail.
Here are the OPTIONS:

I-22

I-50

FED-50

ALL of the above lenses are 50/3.5 Elmar type. I've heard that the I-50
is a good performer. Yuri at Fedka recommends the FED-50 because the
Infinity lock is designed for a FED camera.
See below:

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=349

Of course Fedka's FED-50 is 2-1/2 times the money... compared with the I-50
of this Seller:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=170096066139&rd=1&rd=1

So I'd like to hear from users of the various 50/3.5 Elmar type's.
I like the looks of it on a FED-2...
and I want it to be a good performer as well.

Thanks, mike

 

[ZorkiKat]

Mike

It's best to heed Yuri's advice. At least he will know what Industar collapsible to send you for your FED-2.

A series of collapsible FED Industar was made specifically for the FED-2. The lens mount of the FED-2 is almost flushed into the vulcanite with very little clearance. Most of the collapsible Industar lenses used a spring-loaded bolt which needed to be pushed back to lock or unlock with the tab. Those built for the FED-2 used a clipping lock.

Many of the early FED Industar would not fit your FED-2 properly. Aside from non-standard thread entry and stopping points (which can make the tab rest above one of the VF for instance), the earliest one also had non-standard working distances and thread mount pitch.

BTW, the Industar were really Tessar types. The only common ground it had with the Elmar is the collapsible barrel design. Elmar had the diaphragm under the first element; Tessar had this after the second group.

It's also hard to distinguish which collapsible Industar- "10" "22" or "50" did better. They all were great.

The lens shown in the auction you quoted does not show its 'lock'. Hard to say if it will fit your FED-2.

Jay

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi Jay & Daniel,
Thanks, and I want to appreciate your technical expertise.

Jay: Does your cat know how to click the shutter? 😀
Cheers, mike

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Mike,
I can confirm that the I50 does not sit well on the Fed 2,due to the lower protrusion of the spring loaded infinity lock.It will bind against the lens mount before reaching infinity.On the other hand the Fed version which just has a clip at infinity works perfectly.
I bought a really fine I50 from Rover last year only to find that it did not suit either of my Feds.I then bought a Fed collapsible from Ukraine,and to be fair it was clean and clear as described.(It came from Alex-Photo)

Good luck,
Brian.

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi Brian,
So gad to hear from you.

Both Alex_photo & leon1965jazz are good eBay Sellers of FSU cameras & lenses. They've got some older Fed-50's, and i don't like the looks of them.
The general consensus IS go for a Fed-50 Elmar type, NOT an I-50 or I-22.

I've been in touch with Yuri at Fedka. He has a few of the Fed-50's, and I will probably buy one. See below:

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=349

The eBay cheapies may even be un-coated! Fedka's is more expensive, and I guess you get what you pay for... hmm?

Ciao, mike

 

[outfitter]

Mike,
I can confirm that the I50 does not sit well on the Fed 2,due to the lower protrusion of the spring loaded infinity lock.It will bind against the lens mount before reaching infinity.

The lower protrusion of the spring loaded infinity lock on the I-50 is in fact a screw that allows adjustment of the throw to clear. Fits fine on a Fed 2 when adjusted. The Fed lens with the clip that slips over infinity stop works by design but is not necessary if you fancy an I-50. The normal Fed with the button lock is not adjustable and could cause problems on the Fed 2.

 

[Nando]

Yuri hand-picked a nice I-22 for me and I couldn't be happier. It was in very nice shape except for a bit on wear on the barrel and some internal dust. Yuri didn't list it on his website. I was originally interested a very nice I-10 on his website but when I emailed him about it, he told me he had a I-22 in better shape and would sell it to me for the same price as the I-10. I've bought my FSU gear from a variety of sellers and everything that I have purchased so far had to be adjusted, cleaned and/or repaired in some way. Yuri was the only one that backed up his products with great service after the sale. (The lens was great but the Zorki 1c had a few issues). Besides being a very classy guy, Yuri really knows his stuff and you can trust his advice.

As far as the I-10 (Fed 50) vs I-22 vs I-50 debate. They're very similar to me so the factors that would concern me would be choosing a version that would be compatible with the camera body that you want to use and choosing one with the glass and mechanics in decent shape.

 

[OldNick]

I would also like to put in a good word for Yuri. He sold me an excellent Jupiter 12 LTM lens. His prices are a little higher, but you get peace of mind knowing that an expert made the selection.

Jim N.