I-26 and I-61: differences?

[paulfish4570]

I have been switching between my I-26 and I-61 on my FED-2. I do not see much difference in them. Here are shots from a roll of Arista Premium 400, Tmax 1:4;

I-26:

I-61:

Is one "better" than the other? Here is a photobucket link is any of you want to look at more photos: http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/fish280/Best FED I26 I61 AP400 11 13 10/

 

[wolves3012]

I ran some tests a while back, side-by-side, of the I-26, I-61 and I-61L/D and found them almost identical. I may still have them but I probably don't have the notes as to which frame was which! The 26 was possibly marginally lower in contrast but you really have to study the frames side-by-side to see it. I think in the real world they are effectively the same.

 

[MartinP]

I noticed a sort of contrast difference too. They are both tessar-type lenses of course, but I got the impression that the coating did more on my new-old-stock I.61 - or possibly the I.26 was a few years older and a tiny bit foggy, which filled in the shadows a bit. Differences are probably down to the individual lenses after this amount of time.

 

[paulfish4570]

I may see a hint more sharpness in the I-61, but it may be a shade more contrast masquerading as sharpness. I like the looks of the tabbed I-26 more than the looks of the black and chrome I-61, but I like the I-61's detent apertures stops a whole lot better than the I-26's smooth but unnotched apertures.
Thanks for looking, guys and offering opinions. They both seem to focus exactly the same.
The I-26 does have some wild and whacky bokeh with color film. Maybe that is how I will parse them: I-26 for color, I-61 for black and white ...

 

[gb hill]

I-61 looks to be a bit sharper to these eyes, The I-26 is a bit lower on contrast esp in frame 3, the tricycle. Both are good examples you have, but I'm with you on those click stops on the I-61, love em!

 

[paulfish4570]

Thanks to all ...