HuhYashica
Established
Yeah, I was gonna do acouple test rolls, to see how it turns out. I'm just trying to learn the difference between all the 50s because there so many. Like the "FED 50 Elmar type" what is so significant about the "Elmar types".
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I-26m, I guess. To me it is better lens comparing to 61 L/D.
Sharp if all aligned properly and it is good copy. Gives nice bokeh at 3.2-5.6 due to more aperture blades.
Around F4.
MushrOoM by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
FED 50 only looks like Elmar, but it isn't optically.
Around f8 on FED-2
Me. Almost. by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
Sharp if all aligned properly and it is good copy. Gives nice bokeh at 3.2-5.6 due to more aperture blades.
Around F4.
MushrOoM by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
FED 50 only looks like Elmar, but it isn't optically.
Around f8 on FED-2
Me. Almost. by Ko.Fe., on Flickr
nongfuspring
Well-known
I haven't personally shot extensively on the J8, but generally what people say about the J8 is that it has a dreamy look, whereas the I-26, I-61 tend to be sharper but a tad slower. If you look on flickr I think it seems like a fair judgement.
The "Elmar" types are only named that way since they look like the Leitz Elmar, but on the inside they're a tessar lens design (like the I-26 and I-61) whereas the Elmar is some sort of triplet. They're kind of neat since they're collapsible and are really compact when they're retracted. Otherwise your I-26 will most likely give you better quality images and will be better in lower light.
I'd just shoot with the I-26 until you come across a cheap J8 for you to try out.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
FED2 + Industar26
goamules
Well-known
I've shot all the FSU 50s, quite a bit. Here's my take on it. The J-3 is the most classic of them, with the J-8 being almost as good. These Sonnar types have warm color rendition, and are sharp. Their out of focus areas look great.
Second, I like the Industar 61. I see no reason to get the L/D over the regular version. This lens, my Russian friend tells me, was not considered very good. However, in a lot of testing, I've determined it really is. It is very sharp, has click stops, and great contrast.
I've only had one or two I-26s. I did not like them at all. They were flarey, low contrast, and cheap builds (like all FSU lenses). I sold them.
The Fed-10 or IL-22 are often said to be "just as good as an Elmar" but I don't agree. My copies have had noticeably weaker contrast and are less sharp. Yes, it's nice to get a collapsible lens for $19 or whatever they go for. But then you have a $19 lens. Save for an Elmar and you'll notice a huge difference.
Second, I like the Industar 61. I see no reason to get the L/D over the regular version. This lens, my Russian friend tells me, was not considered very good. However, in a lot of testing, I've determined it really is. It is very sharp, has click stops, and great contrast.
I've only had one or two I-26s. I did not like them at all. They were flarey, low contrast, and cheap builds (like all FSU lenses). I sold them.
The Fed-10 or IL-22 are often said to be "just as good as an Elmar" but I don't agree. My copies have had noticeably weaker contrast and are less sharp. Yes, it's nice to get a collapsible lens for $19 or whatever they go for. But then you have a $19 lens. Save for an Elmar and you'll notice a huge difference.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I agree with Garrett but... the problem with any generalizations about FSU lenses is the huge differences from copy to copy. I have a J12 now that I will NEVER sell but its my third one and the first 2 sucked. As far as Elmar's go I have a mint one and its the best light lens I have ever used.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
goamules sums up my experience and opinion except that I find the I-26 to be simply a lower contrast version of the I-61 that can be just as sharp when you're comparing good examples of each (remember, FSU lenses vary from example to example).
I would start shooting with the I-26 right now! I think you'll find its a perfectly nice lens (watch out for flare; get a hood). You can make truly compelling photographs with any clean, fully functioning FSU lens. After some time you will find what you like in your photography and gravitate toward those lenses that will give you what you want. Unfortunately, I like sharpness, micro-contrast, and I like to isolate my subjects with shallow depth of field (in available light, no less). That's possibly the worst place to be as a lens seeker because the lenses that will give me what I want (fast and sharp) cost an awful lot. The first lens I bought that gave me these characteristics was a Zeiss Planar 50/1.8 in Rollei QBM mount. I still have that lens, but don't use it. It was my "gateway" into Leica and Leica-like gear. Decades later, I still can't afford the lenses I really want, but I'm glad I determined what I want in a lens before I spent the budget I did have. Turns out I like a few different "styles" of photography, hence lenses. That adds up fast.
I guess I'm suggesting that you enjoy your Fed 2 and I-26. You can start shooting immediately and you can get great photos. Look over your photos and decide what you like/don't like about each one. Look at photos by others and do the same. We're lucky to have "the internet" these days. I can view 100s of great photos in a short period of time and really get a feel for what I like in them and how I might go about making my own photos with the same impact. A lot of those photos that I like could have easily been taken with an I-26. Please show us yours when you get the chance. Feedback on RFF and elsewhere will almost certainly help you find your own "style" and discussion here on RFF will guide you to your next lens -- if you even feel the need.
I would start shooting with the I-26 right now! I think you'll find its a perfectly nice lens (watch out for flare; get a hood). You can make truly compelling photographs with any clean, fully functioning FSU lens. After some time you will find what you like in your photography and gravitate toward those lenses that will give you what you want. Unfortunately, I like sharpness, micro-contrast, and I like to isolate my subjects with shallow depth of field (in available light, no less). That's possibly the worst place to be as a lens seeker because the lenses that will give me what I want (fast and sharp) cost an awful lot. The first lens I bought that gave me these characteristics was a Zeiss Planar 50/1.8 in Rollei QBM mount. I still have that lens, but don't use it. It was my "gateway" into Leica and Leica-like gear. Decades later, I still can't afford the lenses I really want, but I'm glad I determined what I want in a lens before I spent the budget I did have. Turns out I like a few different "styles" of photography, hence lenses. That adds up fast.
I guess I'm suggesting that you enjoy your Fed 2 and I-26. You can start shooting immediately and you can get great photos. Look over your photos and decide what you like/don't like about each one. Look at photos by others and do the same. We're lucky to have "the internet" these days. I can view 100s of great photos in a short period of time and really get a feel for what I like in them and how I might go about making my own photos with the same impact. A lot of those photos that I like could have easily been taken with an I-26. Please show us yours when you get the chance. Feedback on RFF and elsewhere will almost certainly help you find your own "style" and discussion here on RFF will guide you to your next lens -- if you even feel the need.
Georgiy Romanov
stray cat
FED-2 was my first rangefinder camera. I shot with Jupiter 12 in scale mode almost a year, until the camera gave up soul to god. Now i've got J-12 on my M4 and love it.
Lens hood is a "must be" on I-26, because it can easly catch big flare in any direct sunlight
Lens hood is a "must be" on I-26, because it can easly catch big flare in any direct sunlight
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
If you want to get the best from the FED 2 etc, then take a notebook with you and write down the exposure details for each shot. Then you'll know what you are looking at when you go through the prints.
Regards, David
PS Industar-50 was a copy of the CZ Tessar in 39mm mount for the old USSR made cameras, I think. So a fraction longer than a FED 10 which was a copy of the Elmar and a good one but FED 10's are rare but easily spotted as the engraving isn't painted/filled in. Then there's the Summar clone...
If you want to get the best from the FED 2 etc, then take a notebook with you and write down the exposure details for each shot. Then you'll know what you are looking at when you go through the prints.
Regards, David
PS Industar-50 was a copy of the CZ Tessar in 39mm mount for the old USSR made cameras, I think. So a fraction longer than a FED 10 which was a copy of the Elmar and a good one but FED 10's are rare but easily spotted as the engraving isn't painted/filled in. Then there's the Summar clone...
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Is the Fed-10 the true Elmar copy? I think I have one of those. I do like it, but it still doesn't seem as sharp and contrasty as the real Elmar I've used. At some point though, a lot of this is in my head.
BTW, the notebook suggestion is a must. I carried a notebook with me for years and attempted to note exposure (and more) information whenever possible. Sooooo helpful!!! I still carry the notebook but I'm an awful slacker about using it these days.
BTW, the notebook suggestion is a must. I carried a notebook with me for years and attempted to note exposure (and more) information whenever possible. Sooooo helpful!!! I still carry the notebook but I'm an awful slacker about using it these days.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
No. None of them were Elmar copies, but slight variations on the Zeiss Tessar.
Cheers,
Dez
Cheers,
Dez
02Pilot
Malcontent
I don't think it is. I don't have an Elmar 50 to compare it with, but my understanding is that the aperture placement on the Soviet lenses is different from the Elmar. There may be other optical differences as well.
HuhYashica
Established
FED2 + Industar26
Wow bro that looks hella good. I underestimated this lens.
HuhYashica
Established
Thank you so much for helping me with all the lenses I really appreciate it!