fed 50/3.5 collapsible ala ebay

[back alley]

see what happens when you're bored and on the computer.

while cruising ebay and feeling quite smug about not having anything coming in and not having anything on my watchlist, i saw an advert for a fed 50/3.5 that was closing very soon.

so, for the heck of it, i bid 20 bucks.

there have been some good things said about the lens here and elsewhere and part of me still wanted a working 50 collapsible for the m3.

there were 2 bids and mine took the prize! so i guess in 2 to 3 weeks i'll find out what 20 bucks can buy.
anyone previously buy from bsa 79?
any comments?

joe

 

[keithslater]

Joe,
Here are a few pics from mine. Close focusing is kinda hard, and I guess a polarizer is helpful.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=273171#post273171

Keith

 

[back alley]

i remember looking at those when you posted them keith.

those and some other pics show the lens can be good.
i only shoot b&w and i think, if mine is adjusted properly, it will be good for the occasional romp.

the plan (always in progress) is to use the cl with 35/2.8 canon as an everyday camera but i'm thinking the m3 with this 50 will be the alternative.

joe

 

[je2a3]

joe,

Assuming that it's a post war coated version, the glass is clean and the mount was never tampered, you'll probably like it. I use one as an Elmar substitute on a Leica D.

Joseph

 

[back alley]

looking at the pics i'm guessing not coated, no colour at all in the reflections.

can i tell from the serial number what year it's from?
# is 4481.

joe

 

[keithslater]

My number is 344805

 

[back alley]

that's a long ways from mine...mine must be really old.

 

[back alley]

anyone know what hood fits this lens?

joe

 

[back alley]

thanks dave.

need to look around the junk box...

 

[je2a3]

looking at the pics i'm guessing not coated, no colour at all in the reflections.
can i tell from the serial number what year it's from?
# is 4481.
joe

From what I've read about Fed lenses the serial no. can't be relied on for dating. If it has international aperture settings then it is most likely coated which is a very faint blueish tint. The uncoated Fed 50/3.5s have the old European aperture markings.

Joseph

 

[back alley]

From what I've read about Fed lenses the serial no. can't be relied on for dating. If it has international aperture settings then it is most likely coated which is a very faint blueish tint. The uncoated Fed 50/3.5s have the old European aperture markings.

Joseph

the pic shows from 3.5 to 16, must be coated then, cool.
the description says the glass is clean and movements/condition is good.

hard to lose for $19.50!

joe

 

[back alley]

just wondering...can this lens be collapsed on the cl?

joe

 

[ZorkiKat]

There were two types of FED 50 (aka Industar-10) made, if the locking tabs were to be considered. Or more if variations in lens mount thread pitch, working distance, coatings, and aperture scales are considered. In the locking tab category, the first type were found on the FED-1 and the second with a modified tab for the FED-2. The latter will be the one which will both fit and allow infinity focus on an adapted mount for the M-leica.

The second type used a tab which locked with a notch on the the rim of the lens mount, whilst the first type used the conventional spring-loaded tab which locked from the opposite side of the mount.

When the FED-2 were made, the lens register length was already standardised at the Leitz standard 28,8mm and it lens mount thread also conformed to the Leitz M39X1inch pitch. So a lens from this era would likely work well on a Leica SM or adapter Leica M camera. Knock on wood 😀

However, there were some FED-2 collapsible lenses which neither had the standard register nor lens mount thread pitch. One of such found their way here by way of an old FED-2 belonging to the earlier types (no synch, speeds start at 1/25). The FED 50 lens on this camera would neither focus nor mount correctly on other cameras. Try to avoid these.
It had the "international" (3,5. 4. 5,6,....) aperture scale.

I quite like the FED 50/I-10 lenses and sometimes prefer them over the I-22 or I-50. I could see no reason why they should be considered inferior to the later Industars. I like the later coated FED 50 (often seen with a purplish tinge) for the way it "draws" the picture.
It also does well in colour.

Jay