Industar-61 L/D - focus ring tight....

[btgc]

Just got my first FSU camera, FED5 in its regular condition aka unused. It's easy to understand so many of them still look new because who would like to use them directly from shop? And back then people hadn't internet and tinkering weren't as common as nowadays.

So I relubed helicoid as per guide written by Matt Denton (thanks!). Note, I put lube also under domed ring. Focus ring still stiff. Hmmmm....mounted on camera, lens is barely usable because focus ring is very close to body and has no tab. Sure helicoid isn't perfect but that irregularities shouldn't cause so terrible stiffness. Then it came to me - and tried to tighten three last screws not to the max. And now focus is much much better - ring turns consiberably easier! This is because domed ring is touching next part with rather large surface. I touched screwheads with nail polish and will go out to shoot test roll just to see if it's worth to clean lens farther, as it has some slight residue between glass and some crud on aperture blades.

Overall impression is weird, all the specifics of FSU cameras at a glance...but at same time this FED has some appeal. It even smells like all Soviet made things did 🙂 is it a specific grease or materials? I hadn't a camera when I were kid in USSR and now I'm going to fill this omission with FED5 and I-61.

 

[tbhv55]

Then it came to me - and tried to tighten three last screws not to the max. And now focus is much much better - ring turns consiberably easier!

Many thanks! This is useful to know, as I'm planning to overhaul one of my (two) I-61/LDs shortly.

Over the past three years I've used this lens frequently, on m4/3 cameras, on which it gives the FoV of a short telephoto/portrait lens (i.e. ≈100mm). The rendering is very much to my liking.

I often hear about sample variation with FSU lenses, so I guess that I've been fairly lucky with mine. I've got the I-61s, and a couple of Jupiter 8s, and they're all very good, optically... although a couple of them would benefit from a mechanical overhaul. I paid, IIRC, less than £20 for each of them!🙂

 

[Dez]

These lenses are made of rather thin aluminum bits which seem to warp under the pressure they experience when the lens is screwed in. I have often seen one that is smooth and free-turning when off the camera, and jammed up once screwed in. The cure I have found is to polish the inner surfaces and edges of the rear ring with extremely fine emery paper or crocus cloth if I can find it. The lens is then able to focus smoothly, but probably wobbles.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[btgc]

Interesting, Dez! I'll first try to establish connection with lens to make decisions about working more on it. But I don't regret cleaning helicoid otherwise it could be pure pain even to go through first roll.

 

[Fotohuis]

I have done two I-61 lenses and the succes also depends on the type of grease. Further indeed aluminium parts which you have carefully to make markings how to put them back in the same position. Sometimes it helps to turn 1/3 position more on the last assy ring. The I-61 lenses are mechanically less sturdy compared to the Jupiter lenses but after a CLA they normally fit pretty well. I have a FED 5b too in almost new condition but the I-61 L/D not turning smoothly and close properly on the aluminium rings. After the Matt Denton hints working like new.

 

[ThreeToedSlothLuke]

What type of grease to buy??

What type of grease to buy??

To revive an older but apposite thread...

I bought a Fed 2 on ebay but the seller sent me an I61 LD lens instead of the camera which, of course, went to the lens buyer. The camera is now on it's way & the seller, who's in Poland, wonders if I would consider buying the lens for $22.00. Saves him losing money as he said he will reimburse me for shipping back the lens.

I already have an 88 'zebra' (but not an LD) and this one is a '92. It needs a re-lube; very stiff focussing but the glass looks fine. I figure for the price it wouldn't hurt to try a CLA. I have the 'how-to' book-marked but what type of grease should I look for at my local hardware store?

Colin

 

[tbhv55]

what type of grease should I look for at my local hardware store?

Having read (here on RFF) recommendations to use Lithium grease, I did just that, and my I-61 L/D now works very nicely. Obviously, you need to put some effort into getting rid of all of the old grease.

Should you need further help, RFF members Wolves3012, and Dez (post #3 above) are both knowledgeable on the subject of lens overhauls... as are several other members, whose names I have forgotten. 😱🙄