Merkin
For the Weekend
What are the differences between the 22 and the 50 collapsible? Is one much better than the other? Which has the higher rate of success as far as reliability and calibration goes?
wolves3012
Veteran
Allegedly the I-50 is of a higher quality. Personally I've never noticed a difference between the I-50 and I-22. They're both quite sharp. A quick search will find you some threads on the experiences of others...
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
i have both and i cannot see any difference.
sockeyed
Well-known
There's probably more sample variation within one model than there are differences between models. I have an I-50 and it's really not very good, but some people have really good copies.
john341
camera user
I have used both and the I-50 certainly produces sharper negs than the I-22 - then again the I-50 I bought is in mint condition and I would expect it to be better.
wolves3012
Veteran
The Industar 50 collapsible is also rather less common I think. Mostly they came attached to a Zorki 5. Early Zorki models tended to have the I-22 and later ones mostly had rigid a I-50 or Jupiter 8, although there were the usual variations!
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
That's how I got my I-50. It came on a broken Zorki 5 that a friend gave me. The lens was in great condition so i use it on my Bessa-R2 with a LTM adapter. I am impressed with it; it is very sharp even wide open. The only downside is it won't collapse into the Bessa, but that's not a big deal.
Industar-50 at f5.6
blazejs
Established
Here are some samples from collapsible I-50 wide open:
ZorkiKat
ЗоркийК&
Assuming that the collapsible barrels aren't worn and still parallel when set at shooting position, it's HARD to see the difference between an I-22 and an I-50. I use both extensively, and I can't see the improvements the I-50 has over the I-22.
The rigid I-50 tend to do better because of its non-collapsible barrel. That's one variable less which can affect the focus. Later I-50 too, tend to have improved coatings so contrast, as well as colour rendering, will look better.
The rigid I-50 tend to do better because of its non-collapsible barrel. That's one variable less which can affect the focus. Later I-50 too, tend to have improved coatings so contrast, as well as colour rendering, will look better.
Industar-22 + Leitz Deep Red filter:
