Industar 69?

[Jake Mongey]

Hi, Im looking for a 28mm to use on my canon 7 which i have a finder for and i noticed how cheap the industar 69 is. Can anyone give me a review if they have had experience. I am on a incredibly tight budget so its all i can afford🙁

 

[Livesteamer]

I think that lens is for a half frame camera and will not cover full frame 35. Joe

 

[lonemantis]

Even though the Industar-69 uses a 39mm screw mount, it was actually designed for the half-frame Chaika camera. That will cause a few issues for you - firstly, if the lens mounts, it will likely not focus to infinity without modifying the mount. Second, because it's a half-frame lens, it will not cover a full 35mm frame. And to top it all off, it is not rangefinder-coupled.

The cheapest LTM 28mm I can think of is the FSU Orion-15, which is a 28mm F6. It uses a Leica compatible-ish mount and covers full frame. You can often find them for under $200. Another good option, though not a 28, is the 35mm F2.8 Jupiter-12, which you could use with your Canon 7's built in viewfinder. These tend to go for $100 or less.

 

[02Pilot]

Two problems: one, it's a half-frame lens, meaning it doesn't fully cover full frame 35mm, and two, it won't focus properly unless you modify it. The modification isn't difficult and is well-documented on the web, so as long as you don't mind a bit of tinkering, it can be made functional, if not ideally so.

While I haven't played with the I-69, I can suggest another cheap option that I have worked out. Get a cheap P&S with a 28mm lens and convert it. It's easier than you might think, as a truly cheap wide-angle P&S is likely to be fixed focus and probably fixed aperture. Yank the lens, mount in a body cap at the right distance from the film plane, and you're done. One aperture, no focusing, tiny. You can see mine here: https://filmosaur.wordpress.com/201...praktica-m60-26mm-f5-6-to-leica-thread-mount/

 

[Jake Mongey]

Even though the Industar-69 uses a 39mm screw mount, it was actually designed for the half-frame Chaika camera. That will cause a few issues for you - firstly, if the lens mounts, it will likely not focus to infinity without modifying the mount. Second, because it's a half-frame lens, it will not cover a full 35mm frame. And to top it all off, it is not rangefinder-coupled.

The cheapest LTM 28mm I can think of is the FSU Orion-15, which is a 28mm F6. It uses a Leica compatible-ish mount and covers full frame. You can often find them for under $200. Another good option, though not a 28, is the 35mm F2.8 Jupiter-12, which you could use with your Canon 7's built in viewfinder. These tend to go for $100 or less.

Im not sure I want a 35 as 28mm has always just been the coal legnth ive clicked with. Also is the orion 15 RF coupled?

 

[lonemantis]

Im not sure I want a 35 as 28mm has always just been the coal legnth ive clicked with. Also is the orion 15 RF coupled?

It is RF-coupled. I would recommend trying to find it from a reputable seller if possible. (i.e. Avoid Russia/Eastern Bloc) As one of the rarer FSU lenses, there tends to be a lot of junk passed off for high prices.

 

[Jake Mongey]

It is RF-coupled. I would recommend trying to find it from a reputable seller if possible. (i.e. Avoid Russia/Eastern Bloc) As one of the rarer FSU lenses, there tends to be a lot of junk passed off for high prices.

Is there a particular dealer you would reccomend? I mean I really need a job but just wondering

 

[zuiko85]

The 28mm lens is rare enough in a RF mount that sadly, it is often cheaper to buy an older manual SLR and a 28mm lens to mount on it. Especially so if you lay out money for a separate view finder. Not saying you should go the SLR route, just noting the difference in price.

 

[lonemantis]

Is there a particular dealer you would reccomend? I mean I really need a job but just wondering

Fedka is the most reputable source for FSU gear by far, but also tends to be the most expensive. Really, any ebay auction from a seller with good feedback from North America or Western Europe should be ok.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I've been reading this again and thought I might as well throw in my 2d worth about the Orion. Nothing's been done to mine it's just as I got it from an ebay seller. I've used it on several Leicas etc and am quite pleased with it, despite it being only f/6 and better at f/8.

But the snag is f/6; it's not the fastest lens I have and so I'm a little restricted with it. OTOH, it was cheap but these days it isn't. So I'd advise anyone looking for one to bear that in mind.

BTW, any ebay seller with 100% or thereabouts feedback should be OK. It's customs duty and tax you should worry about if it comes from overseas. And how they calculate it is not so straightforward as people think and is worth checking carefully. Like ebay's commission the cost of postage etc gets into the sums, usually.

Regards, David

 

[citizen99]

Just for illustration - vignetting of a (focal length adjusted) Industar 69 on a full-frame (FED 2) body.

Some Orion-15 shots here.

 

[rfaspen]

Ya know, really if you want to be happy with a 28mm lens, I would not recommend the Orion.

Better to search out one of the alternatives when funds accumulate. The Canon 28/3.5 used to be inexpensive. I got mine for $200 including the finder and little leather case. I bet they're still under $300, especially without finder. Komura made a 28 if I remember correctly, and others I'm sure. A quick net search for LTM 28's showed a couple Canon 28/3.5 running between $250 and $325. Noticed a very nice Avenon at $395. Searching and patience would probably yield a lens at $250, possibly less. And if it were a Canon, you'd maintain brand loyalty 🙂

All said. I think you're looking at $300 minimum if you really want 28. If 35 would do, there's a lot more options. Cheaper options.