Sloppy mount on an Industar-61 L/D

[regularchickens]

I acquired an I-61 L/D recently whose serial number dates its manufacture to 1990. It has a very noticeable amount of wobble on its mount, so much so that it causes the rangefinder cam to behave irregularly and sloppily. I know that this lens has a reputation for poor build quailty, but is this considered "normal" for this lens, or is this down to FSU sample variation? Was the earlier "zebra" I-61 any better in this regard?

 

[xayraa33]

the zebra I- 61 was better built .
the last made "painted numbers" I-61 took first prize in bad build of the series.

 

[fanshaw]

It probably just needs lubrication. These lenses need grease to stop the barrel play and the original grease will have dried up by now. It is not a quality control issue. It is very simple to re-lubricate.

 

[regularchickens]

This lens was re-lubed by its previous owner and has smooth movement. I tried adding some additional white lithium grease to the space under the mount to take up the slop, but I guess the grease I used just isn't quite solid enough for the job.

 

[wolves3012]

I have a few I-61s and the earlier ones, especially the "panda/zebra" ones are better made. The newest one I have is rather like yours, quite wobbly. It does perform quite well though so I would not worry. Mine was so loose I thought the lens-mount screws were slack when it arrived on a FED 5C, relubing improved it but it's still not the best.