Industar 26M with strange issue... 🤯

[MNS]

While looking through my late fathers photographic odds and ends I found a Industar 26M 52mm f/2.8 lens.



Using a LTM adapter on my M-P 240 I tested it and was surprised at some of the results.

Knowing this lens like many Soviet lenses flare in bright conditions, so I fitted a Soviet plastic lens hood. These shots of the shed were taken with sun behind me, so you would think with a hood this wouldn't happen. Stopped down this issue gets worse, I've never seen anything like it before!



Images above f/2.8 - f/11 - f/22 ...Into the direction of the sun, I would expect flare, not from behind.



Indoors or away from sunlight this lens is perfectly OK to use. Lens elements look OK for a Russian lens and it's age.



In all the years I've used cameras, including ones from the former Soviet Union, I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it. My Jupiter 8 or Jupiter 3+ 50mm lenses have never flared like this before.

I can't work this out, is this a digital thing or flaw in the glass?

 

[Valkir1987]

I'm no expert on lenses but I had the same experience with mine and favoured the I-61 instead. This is what the Industar-26 looks like:

 

[wlewisiii]

Never had that trouble with mine.

Are there any bright spots inside the barrel of the lens or on the aperture blades? That might give a clue.

Otherwise, send a message to Sonnar Brian. He's The lens guru there.

 

[MNS]

Are there any bright spots inside the barrel of the lens or on the aperture blades? That might give a clue.

Can't see any. Slight amount of haze looking through the lens but no more than my Jupiter 8M.

Maybe a CLA would help at some point.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

While looking through my late fathers photographic odds and ends I found a Industar 26M 52mm f/2.8 lens.

View attachment 4867171

Using a LTM adapter on my M-P 240 I tested it and was surprised at some of the results.

Knowing this lens like many Soviet lenses flare in bright conditions, so I fitted a Soviet plastic lens hood. These shots of the shed were taken with sun behind me, so you would think with a hood this wouldn't happen. Stopped down this issue gets worse, I've never seen anything like it before!

View attachment 4867172View attachment 4867173View attachment 4867174

Images above f/2.8 - f/11 - f/22 ...Into the direction of the sun, I would expect flare, not from behind.

View attachment 4867175 View attachment 4867179

Indoors or away from sunlight this lens is perfectly OK to use. Lens elements look OK for a Russian lens and it's age.

View attachment 4867180

In all the years I've used cameras, including ones from the former Soviet Union, I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it. My Jupiter 8 or Jupiter 3+ 50mm lenses have never flared like this before.

I can't work this out, is this a digital thing or flaw in the glass?

I had this problem with the Helios-103, the aperture blades were shiny, stopping down caused reflections that "lit up" the optics. I used a Black Marker to get rid of the problem. You lens looks like it has some haze. Post a picture of the Blades when the lens is stopped down to F16- would help.

Reducing Reflections in the Helios-103/Menopta lenses: Painting Aperture Blades.

The Helios-103 53/1.8 and Menopta 53/1.8 are classic Planar formula lenses for the Contax/Kiev cameras. With a little work, you can also use them on Nikon S-Mount cameras. These lenses are cheap- under $25 inclusive of international shipping. There are lots of them, most are near mint condition...

rangefinderforum.com

 

[MNS]

I had this problem with the Helios-103, the aperture blades were shiny, stopping down caused reflections that "lit up" the optics. I used a Black Marker to get rid of the problem. Post a picture of the Blades when the lens is stopped down to F16- would help.

This might be the answer then, wear on the blades? Certainly from front (left image) you can see a fair amount of wear on them.

I'll have to bare it mind when using this lens, although I will say I do tend to shoot wide open most of the time.

You lens looks like it has some haze.

Yes, there is a small amount of dust and haze. Don't think I'll attempt disassembly myself, I'd have to send it off to be serviced at some point.



Think using the lens on my Zorki 4K with Fomapan 100 film, lens hood and wide open, I shouldn't have too many problems.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That is likely the problem. This is not a difficult lens to work on, but you do need an optical spanner- about $25 or so off Ebay.

 

[MNS]

Do you know where I can find a workshop manual for this lens or an online disassembly video?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Youtube for now...

I need to post the instructions in my forum.
To solve your problem, the haze is most likely on the surfaces on each side of the aperture.
Once you have a Spanner, this is a 2-minute operation. The I-26m does not have a rear baffle, like the I-61L/D has. SO- even with the barrel in the focus mount, easy to take it out. The rear element is in the fixture, so does not come out as a loose piece of glass. Did this as I was posting.


Random Ebay Auction

Stainless Steel Spanner Wrench Set For All Camera Lens Opening Repair Tools | eBay

Made of quality anti-magnetic stainless steel, nice looking and durable. Product View.

www.ebay.com

 

[seany65]

These things are just manifestations of Ghosts, Ghoulies or Aliens. If you don't want them just hit them with a hammer.

 

[jc031699]

Edited: (saw Brian’s post above) I also saw something very similar with my Jupiter 9 when using a Contax to LTM adapter. It went away when I got an Amadeo adapter that has circumferential ridges to handle stray light.

 

[MNS]

I have decided to sell the Industar 26M lens. I have just been diagnosed with Arthritis in my hands, so I don't think I'm going to attempt to repair it. I'm letting go cheap for spares or repair.



I would of put in the Classifieds here but it's only going to go for a few pounds. Sorry UK only. 🙂

PM me or view on eBay, item number:146692793353