FSU lenses side-by-side

[kapitancho]

This is my first post in this forum. I hope this could be of help. I have shot some test pictures using 6 FSU lenses.
I couldn't use a tripod and the exposures are not perfect but you can get a general idea about the center sharpness.
They are shot with ... well Nikon D80 with adapters, because this is my only digital body.
I used focus confirmation but still there could be a better focus probably.
Due to the high magnification, the effective aperture is not the same as specified.

 

[paulfish4570]

Interesting difference in color rendition between the J-8 and I-61.

 

[DaveP]

What adapter are you using?

 

[kapitancho]

I am using a cheap $5 M39->M42 adapter attached to the lens. Then I screw the lens on my M42->Nikon adapter attached to the Nikon D80. For the Jupiter-12 I add a 8mm extension ring because of the protruding rear group. That's why the magnification for the J-12 is much higher.
For the color rendition difference - it may be because of the lighting of the scene. Jupiter-9 and Industar-61 were tested on the next day and the lighting conditions were different.
If there is an interest, I may try to retest them on a tripod in the same day and using correct exposures for all the apertures.

 

[rxmd]

Interesting comparison, thanks.

Of course you're comparing them wildly outside their design specifications. With your setup you're basically testing only the macro capabilities of the lenses, which is what none of them were built and designed for (in particular the Sonnars)... it's a bit like comparing a Corvette, a Pontiac Firebird and a Ford Mustang when used as mining trucks 😉

 

[kapitancho]

Hi rxmd, I agree with your statement. I also mentioned the fact the they are not optimally tested. Maybe one day I will get some more films and test them on my Zorki or Fed. Unfortunately, I don't have much experience in testing using film. The other option is to use a Sony NEX. This seems to be a good option, even though I won't be able to test the borders of the frame.

 

[40oz]

Interesting comparison even if it isn't precisely applicable to real life 🙂

Of course, one has to wonder if there is an issue with the I-50. I'd question the focus accuracy of the "Focus Confirmation," given the apparent softness of the J-11 shots.

But an interesting set of shots nonetheless.

 

[kapitancho]

Hi 40oz,
the issue with I-50 was 100% reproducible. Probably it has light leaks because the loss of contrast is vissible when closed down. Original J-11 shots are very sharp straight from f/4. The "bug" here is that I took the wrong crop position for that showcase. The focus was actually on a side segment but the crops are from the center.
I hope I will soon get some spare time to remake the test on a tripod and then I think the demo crops will look much better in terms of exposure and sharpness!