LOL
someplace in a FSU country camera forum is a thread asking
"Western FSU buyers (US, EU, UK Ukraine/Poland/etc) legitimate buyers or worthless capitalist scammers?"
dexdog
Veteran
Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in April 2022, I had probably bought a dozen KMZ and ZK lenses from eBay sellers in Russia. Yeah, there were a few I would never buy from because the goods were suspect, but the sellers that I bought from were great. Descriptions of products good, decent photos, and prompt shipment.
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seany65
Well-known
I've just had a couple of replies to the question I asked for you on ussrphoto.com forum, and Oleg at "OKVintageCamera" is very well thought of. He is now is Slovenia.
Ejg1890
Member
Thanks. I did come across his site as well as Fedka.com. Additionally there are several dealers on eBay that I’m considering.
WoodallP
Pragmatist Barnack lover
For the record it’s Slovakia. Makes no difference to EU buyers as both are EU but it’s good to get the right country if you are returning or having repairs 😊
Ejg1890
Member
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I found a Fed 2 with Industar 26 lens that I’m leaning towards purchasing that’s in good condition.
santino
FSU gear head
Good choice!
The Industar-26 is a fine performer, Tessar formula lens. The mechanical quality is much better than the later I-61L/D.
Wide-open, on my Leica M9.
If you come across a lightly used I-61L/D, the colors are brilliant.
Also on the M9. I've adapted the I-61L/D for Nikon RF's.
Wide-open, on my Leica M9.
If you come across a lightly used I-61L/D, the colors are brilliant.
Also on the M9. I've adapted the I-61L/D for Nikon RF's.
Using a collapsible mount from a Sonnar.
Ejg1890
Member
The Industar-26 is a fine performer, Tessar formula lens. The mechanical quality is much better than the later I-61L/D.
Wide-open, on my Leica M9.
If you come across a lightly used I-61L/D, the colors are brilliant.
Also on the M9. I've adapted the I-61L/D for Nikon RF's.
I did see several cameras that included the 61 L/D; however, to be completely honest due to family cancer history I didn’t want to go with a radioactive lens. I don’t know how radioactive the L/D is compared with the thallium m42 mount lenses, but without knowing more I left that lens out for now; at least until I know more.
Bill wrs1145
A native Texan
Thanks for this heads up.
Bill
Bill
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
Lenses, I have bought two Jupiter 8's from ua_iesh. He is in Ukraine. What he said in his ads was what arrived. The '51 KMZ J8 is good, the '57 KMZ J8 is super. His rating is 100% positive. I can tell you that my experience with this outfit was excellent. and, Slava Ukrana.
This is his eBay page rating: Security Measure
This is his eBay page rating: Security Measure
The Thorium used in lenses is an Alpha Emitter, and usually used for inner elements. The exception is the first type Summicron- used on the front element. I keep a filter on mine.
Lanthanum- I've never worried about.
lenslegend.com
At work, we had a Beckman and Whitley Framing Camera, BIG and Huge optics. Left in a space I was taking over. Used a Geiger Counter and called Safety to look at it. Told me there was more radiation from some of the metals used in it than the glass.
Lanthanum- I've never worried about.
Radioactive Lenses and Everything About Them - Lens Legend
An in-depth analysis about radioactive lenses containing thorium. Amongst them - some of the most excellent vintage lenses ever made.
lenslegend.com
At work, we had a Beckman and Whitley Framing Camera, BIG and Huge optics. Left in a space I was taking over. Used a Geiger Counter and called Safety to look at it. Told me there was more radiation from some of the metals used in it than the glass.
Severe storm/lightning researcher and tornado chaser Tim Samaras of Denver CO gives a first look tour to fellow storm chasers of his 1,680 pound 1.4 million frames per second camera called The 'Kahuna' during the 15th annual ChaserCon convention (The
Download this stock image: Severe storm/lightning researcher and tornado chaser Tim Samaras of Denver CO gives a first look tour to fellow storm chasers of his 1,680 pound 1.4 million frames per second camera called The 'Kahuna' during the 15th annual ChaserCon convention (The national storm...
www.alamy.com
Too Cool- looks like someone took the 1960s vintage model 192 and turned it into a Digital Camera. The original used 35mm film, across the inner drum. A helium turbine spun a mirror expose the film at 2MPFS. When we took over the spot, the model 192 was taken by a group to restore it. The lens is Thoriated.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
You don't need to worry about "radiation" from the I-61 L/D: ACP - Radioactive FED
Personally though, I'd still go with the 26m. The Industar 61 L/D is a bit more contrasty and has a click-stopped aperture ring, but the build quality is awful. There's a lot of play in the housing.
My first ever rangefinder was a FED-2 with a tabbed Industar 26m; I still own both. The grease in the I26m was absolutely solid and it needed a thorough strip-clean and relubricate (not hard to do). I don't use it much these days (it back-focuses on a Leica, and I have no desire to shim it away from the Soviet standard), but I'm still quite fond of it. It's ergonomically pleasing and I think I actually prefer the rendering to the various Jupiters:
Untitled by Tony Gale, on Flickr
(That shot's from 2011. I should go back and rescan some of my negs from back then with something that isn't a bloody potato.)
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Here's a more modern shot with the Industar 26m - this one was from February 2023 when I was testing an old Zorki I found buried in a cupboard:
This is wide open at f/2.8 on XP2. It's a solid little lens. Like most Soviet lenses, it does benefit from a hood - it can flare like a bastard without one. Look for a 40.5mm vented hood; there's lots of cheap ones on eBay.
This is wide open at f/2.8 on XP2. It's a solid little lens. Like most Soviet lenses, it does benefit from a hood - it can flare like a bastard without one. Look for a 40.5mm vented hood; there's lots of cheap ones on eBay.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I've bought from Grizzlybear and a few other Ukrainian Ebay sellers over the years without issue.
Recently from Kazakhstan as well. Not that I went after items that were iffy to begin with. Just lens caps and a few Industar/Jupiter lenses.
The 35mm I got from Kazakhstan wasn't in great condition, but it was sold 'for parts/repair' to begin with, just what I needed.
Recently from Kazakhstan as well. Not that I went after items that were iffy to begin with. Just lens caps and a few Industar/Jupiter lenses.
The 35mm I got from Kazakhstan wasn't in great condition, but it was sold 'for parts/repair' to begin with, just what I needed.
I bought 5 I-26m, ~$25 or so. Made 3 great ones from the 5, and have 2 focus mounts left. This was several years ago. Shimmed all for Leica.
The above picture reminds me how hard the grease was in them.
seany65
Well-known
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Ejg1890
Member
I thought I had posted an update here after receiving the Fed 2 and Industar almost a month ago. All are in great condition, but the rf alignment is slightly vertically off. I have done some research and will make the adjustment but it doesn't impact photos. The photos might be the best for vintage equipment as it’s shot,on a bright day, down at the water. Attached is from the first roll:
