Elmar vs I-50/I-22 etc

[jcline]

I've got a Zorki 1 that is just down right awesome, especially considering how pocketable it is with the I-50 (I've got an I-22 but the apature is really sticky). But the lens isn't what I would call great, seems kinda softish especially compaired to my J8 and J12. I've been considering getting an Elmar to replace it. Anyone have any side by side comparisons?

 

[FrankS]

Not yet, but I plan to.

 

[je2a3]

I've got a Zorki 1 that is just down right awesome, especially considering how pocketable it is with the I-50 (I've got an I-22 but the apature is really sticky). But the lens isn't what I would call great, seems kinda softish especially compaired to my J8 and J12. I've been considering getting an Elmar to replace it. Anyone have any side by side comparisons?

All the FSU collapsibles [I-22, I-50 and I-10 = aka Fed 50/3.5] are known to be sharp and contrasty giving the Elmar a run for the money even outperforming some of the earlier uncoated versions. Maybe something is wrong with your I-50, typically the Zorki 1 came with an I-22. You can loosen the aperture ring on the I-22 by injecting some amount of lighter fluid around the ring.

Joseph

 

[jcline]

I'll give reviving the I-22 a shot. It looks in very good condition and the coating looks heavier than the I-50 even though the I-50 appears to be a newer lens.

 

[peter_n]

All the FSU collapsibles [I-22, I-50 and I-10 = aka Fed 50/3.5] are known to be sharp and contrasty giving the Elmar a run for the money even outperforming some of the earlier uncoated versions. Maybe something is wrong with your I-50, typically the Zorki 1 came with an I-22. You can loosen the aperture ring on the I-22 by injecting some amount of lighter fluid around the ring.

I think Joseph is right. I have an Elmar 50/3.5 and an I-22 and the Elmar is marginally sharper under a loupe. And the difference is truly marginal, believe me. Given that the Elmar cost $140 and the I-22 was $19 I think you would be wise to try a little resuscitation on the Industar.

 

[lmd91343]

Jason,

How old is your Zorki?

What is the registration distance between the lens seat and the pressure plate?
It should be 28.80mm.

Did you know that the RF on Zorkis have to be adjusted via the screw on the front and the angle of the RF sensor. Jay (korkikat) has a web page with directions.

I have found my I22 and my I50s to be very sharp.

-Lance

I've got a Zorki 1 that is just down right awesome, especially considering how pocketable it is with the I-50 (I've got an I-22 but the apature is really sticky). But the lens isn't what I would call great, seems kinda softish especially compaired to my J8 and J12. I've been considering getting an Elmar to replace it. Anyone have any side by side comparisons?

 

[Byuphoto]

I just yesterday ran a side by side test of an I22, J8 and an I61. i am scanning now and will post the results later. I shot them all at f4, f8 and f16 at the same subject

 

[jcline]

The I-22 and Zorki are from 1955, post war so it should have the leica registration. The I-50 appears to be from 1968, and it's soft on my Bessa as well. I'm looking over the shots and realizing they're all kinda low contrast lighting, indoors or rainy day shots to boot.. maybe I just shouldn't be so hard on it.

 

[ZorkiKat]

I third (fourth? fifth?) the motion- I-50 are really mean lenses. No need to get an Elmar if you've got one of these. My 1961 Elmar 2,8's only advantage is its slightly larger aperture. This German lens also feels "cheap".

Your I-50 may need to be adjusted (usually by shimming) to focus right. Jason is right, by the time I-50 and the Zorki in question were made, the "standard" Leica registers had already been adopted by the factories. But then again, that's not always necessarily true.
Many of the Zorki (later ones at that) I got often were not on the 'dot'- having slightly shorter or longer registers than the standard 28,8mm they were supposed to have.

Or someone else, long before you got your camera, may have adjusted its shimming to conform with the lens he had for it (the lens on the camera now may be different, as these could change as they change hands). Adjusting the camera is easier than adjusting the lens, so this is very likely.

Or it could be that the lens was serviced improperly. It's so easy too, to forget to put the right shim in place, or to put all that were needed - after working on the lens.

Jay

 

[jcline]

I've freed up the apature ring on the I-20, It sounds like I've got some shooting to do...

Byuphoto: Love to see the results! Hook us up!