Should I keep the I-26?

S

squeaky_clean

Back to basics...
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Trying to decide if I should keep the I-26 that came with my Fed 2. I haven't tried it yet, as I immediately set the Fed up to work with the beautiful J-8 that I got. Which, by the way, seems to be pretty sharp, even wide open. I really like the J-8 so far. I also have an I-61 l/d that I can use, once I get it put back together.

I haven't tried the I-26 since it would have to be shimmed out to work with the Fed now that it's asdjusted for the J-8. I prefer the J-8 in use, and because of its wider aperture range. Especially on the fast end.

Basically, I guess the question would be whether this lens has any special attributes that make it worth hanging onto? Otherwise I'd offer it for trade or for sale. Needs a good cleaning, but the glass is good and it works just fine. I did notice it had more aperture blades than the I-61. 9 vs. 6, I think?

Just thinking out loud, if anyone cares to join me with their thoughts... :)
 
Just keep it. It won't sell for much and postage might cost more.

I was toying with the I-26M which came with a FED-2 last night. I realised that I have not shot with it yet, and in those 5 years that I had it, it's been working not much more than as a rather thick camera body cap.

Does your I-26 really need to be reworked to be used? Did it not have the 'correct' working distance to begin with? The FED-2 (at least the one you have) and the I-26M came from a time when camera and lens working distances were already quite standardised. My I-26 has the correct 28,8mm specs.

Jay
 
The Fed 2 it came on was set up to use it just fine. I could have used it just as it was. But, I was more eager to use the J-8, as I like to shoot available light type stuff, and a lot of shallow DOF type stuff. The J-8 will remain the main lens for it.

So, I think in order to use both lenses on the same body, the I-26 would have to be shimmed to match the J-8, as the J-8 sits father back when focused at inifinty. That's all I know about it... I couldn't begin to tell you if the I-26 is standard or not. I'm new to this whole FSU thing. I wouldn't have the first idea how to shim a lens, either, if that's even what youa re supposed to do.

I'll probably end up keeping it... Maybe I'll use it on the Fed 5 once I get done recovering it.
 
Chris,


Your FED 2 is a relatively new one. Why should you need to shim it out? The lens flange registration distance should have already been at 28.80 mm. If you changed that, it won't work with any post war (WWII) LTM lenses.

If the registration on your Jupiter lens is wrong, you should change that alone. How old is the Jupiter lens? What makes you think re-shimming is needed.

There are some PRE-WAR (WWII) FSU lenses and cameras that were not set at the "standard" registration distance, just like the earliest Leicas. Your Jupiter lens and FED 2 should be "standard" out of the box.

Like Jay said, shoot some test shots wide open with both lenses.
 
Hmm... I wish I could claim to have any idea as to what I'm talking about... But I can't. All I know is that when I got the Fed, the rangefinder was spot on with the I-26. But when I mounted the J-8, it wasn't anymore. Quite a bit off. So I adjusted the RF to work with the J-8. Maybe that is what needs to be changed? I really don't have a clue, actually.

I don't know how old the Jupiter is. It's a chrome one, which I think makes it a little older. Any way to find out?
 
Hi Chris,
My best guess is that someone has re-lubed one of the lenses and put it together on the wrong thread. The pages on My website covering repair should help to get the right one.

Kim
 
Personally, I like the I-26. It's not quite as sharp as the J-8, but is a nice, contrasty lens that does quite well with B&W. Give it a try and see what you think.
 
Hey thanks for the info Kim! Your repair pages are awesome! I took the J-8 apart, and it was fine. I checked and it matches my I-61 L/D for how far back the barrel sits at infinity. So I opened up the I-26, and while it seemed to put together right (I checked all 3 other starts) it has def. been messed with. I think it may be the culprit.

If my other 2 lenses are fine, then it looks like the I-26 doesn't focus far enough back at infinity.

Lubitel, if you're right, then my Jupiter is a '68...
 
G'man,

I just had to check. I knew better than to think it wouldn't be right. Besides, I like to take things apart. :)

Now I just have to figure out how to make the I-26 right, and get it back together. Then I can use it. :) And I need to get my I-61 L/D back together. Any suggestions on how to keep a stripped set screw from wiggling? I tried a dab of JB weld (GASP!) and that didn't cut it.
 
You think that'd do it? The whole hole is stripped out, so that you can rock the lens back and forth with it when its mounted to a camera. The whole screw will move side to side a little. Mostly just annoying.
 
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squeaky_clean said:
Any suggestions on how to keep a stripped set screw from wiggling? I tried a dab of JB weld (GASP!) and that didn't cut it.
Click to expand...

Bring your lens to a watch technician. I had a stripped screw in my J-12 and I needed to remove it to relube it. The technician not only removed the screw but he bored out the screw hole, re-threaded it, and gave me a new screw.

The funny thing is, I took it to some nice jewelry stores and got no help. I was then reffered to a watch technician at Sears (a department store in Canada) of all places. Anyway, I'm glad I did. He did an excellent job.
 
Well, the locktite seems to have done the trick! I now have a fully functional, re-lubed and cleaned I-61 L/D. Shooting a roll now, doing a couple comparison shots with the J8. It matches the J8 perfectly, rangefinder stays spot on. So, need to figure out how to make the I-26 match.

I'll try and post some photos soon...
 
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