Industar-50

[Diomedes]

I've got a couple of Industar-50 lenses (1960, 1961 and 1963) with rigid mounts and one in collapsible mount. Unfortunately the collapsible one (1959) is in the worst condition of all of them. It looks like a fungus garden. Can I swap the clean lens elements from the rigid one to the collapsible one without problems with the focus distance or something else? Are they similar enough to do that?

Regards,
Vjeko

 

[ZorkiKat]

I've got a couple of Industar-50 lenses (1960, 1961 and 1963) with rigid mounts and one in collapsible mount. Unfortunately the collapsible one (1959) is in the worst condition of all of them. It looks like a fungus garden. Can I swap the clean lens elements from the rigid one to the collapsible one without problems with the focus distance or something else? Are they similar enough to do that?

Regards,
Vjeko

Hi Vjeko

The lens element in each lens were customised with each other. Same could be said to the lens barrels they were installed in. You will likely have focusing problems at the least, and poor lens resolution (with the mixed elements) at worst, if you try to transplant components. I have some of nice-looking lenses (two collapsible Industars, one J-9)) which won't focus properly. These lenses appear to have been reassembled from the good components of several lenses. They looked cosmetically fine, but operationally dead.

Why not try to clean the lens elements? Taking an Industar apart isn't too hard to do. The dirty element can be cleaned with window-glass cleaning solution. Or else soaked in "Joy" dishwashing detergent. As long as the lens elements aren't scratched they should come out OK. Abrasions and scars left by the fungal attack unfortunately will remain, if any are present.

Jay

 

[Xmas]

Vjeko

You can swap elements if the metal work was identical, and test the performance is ok afterwards. But during a lens run or between factories, they may have varied the glass or design radi which will prevent this working and as well the triplet is a critical lens for spacing and alignment, some lens may have shims.

I have not disturbed the middle element of an industar so cannot say is if it is mounted in a metal ring, or a lose bit of glass.

But the first thing to do is remove all the fungus as the lens may not be badly enough damage to make any difference - if you use a lens hood. This will also leave you with four lenses, You will have to sterlise the contimainated lens even if you swap the glass as you would dont want a repeat infestation.

I have had 'gardens' thet cleaned up perfectly and condensation that was permenently etched on.

Noel