Soviet 50mm lens testing

[David Hughes]

I would rather, then, that any lens be calibrated at infinity for either Leica or FSU cameras. It seems that my copy of an Industar-61 was correctly calibrated, as well as any other small camera lens in my possession, before it was exported to me from Ukraine.

Hi,

I have that problem too, and it is a problem as no one believes you when you tell them. It gets worse when I tell them about the cr*p Summar and Summitar I had, both beyond repair but looking perfectly good.

Here's one that worked first time on my CL, which just happened to have film in it then.

It was worth spending the extra on as I usually limit myself to the price of a cup of coffee or two, and that rule has got me some very nice ex-USSR lenses in the past.

Regards, David

 

[Wulfthari]

I would rather, then, that any lens be calibrated at infinity for either Leica or FSU cameras. It seems that my copy of an Industar-61 was correctly calibrated, as well as any other small camera lens in my possession, before it was exported to me from Ukraine.

For what I know, the Summicron Dual range is calibrated for 51.9 focal length:

It is still impossible to manufacture and assemble a complex optical unit without any tolerances. So actual focal length does vary a little bit. This can be compensated for within the mount, or by selective assembly. At least during the 1950's and 1960's Leitz made focusing mounts for three minor variations of focal length and gave them lens cells accordingly.

The complicated Dual Range mount however was made only for 51.9mm lens cells. So they received only those cells. But there is no optical quality difference. A cell that tested out as e.g. 51.2mm was not inferior in optical performance, as long as it got the right mount.

Source:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/19321-1963-summicron-50-2-dr-wont-2.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...1-effective-focal-length-dual-range-50-a.html

So if you have a camera that works well with a Summicron Dual Range it should reasonably work well with a Soviet lens.

According to here:

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/zconrfKiev.htm

The tolerance on the focal length according to Contax/Zeiss standards is +0.01mmm/-0.03 mm, so four cents. If the median of the Leica lenses is 51.9 it's pretty likely statistically speaking that most of the Zeiss lenses can works within range on a Leica camera.

 

[02Pilot]

At long last, the final part of the test is up. Click here. Thanks for reading.

 

[pete hogan]

Nice test, filmosaur. Jupiter-8 is fine.

As for suppliers, I've received 4 excellent FSU lenses out of 4 purchased from Yuri at fedka in NY. KMZ export Jupiter-8, KOMZ Jupiter-11, and 2 KMZ Industar-22. And I've received many, very nice KMZ and KOMZ lens accessories purchased from Artem in Ukraine at artemstore on ebay.

 

[02Pilot]

Nice test, filmosaur. Jupiter-8 is fine.

As for suppliers, I've received 4 excellent FSU lenses out of 4 purchased from Yuri at fedka in NY. KMZ export Jupiter-8, KOMZ Jupiter-11, and 2 KMZ Industar-22. And I've received many, very nice KMZ and KOMZ lens accessories purchased from Artem in Ukraine at artemstore on ebay.

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

I got my FED-2 w/ I-26 and my J-8 from Fedka as well. He is an excellent and reliable supplier who stands behind his stuff.

 

[Wulfthari]

I wanted to give my contribution to this thread but I just found out the scanner in our office is obscene:

So I need to ask you to believe that it's an excellent picture...the lens is a Jupiter 8, and it's taken in a pub in London, with my trusty Zorki 6 at 1/30 in nightime.

 

[MikeDimit]

I did have some health issues so my test of 50 mm Soviet comes today. I get one more Industar 50/3.5. So here is the set - Canon 500D with a flange to 42mm plus a flange 42 mm to 39 mm. Not my choice but this I have. I did it with digital because film is forgiving and the result surprised me too.

The folder is here . http://www.album.bg/mike.dimit/albums/193658

Shot on AV - aperture priority at 200 ASA, direct jpg . Focus is on the nearest possible point of each lens - around 1 meter. Camera on a tripod.

 

[02Pilot]

Thanks for adding your test. I only had a chance for a quick look, but I'll give it a more thorough viewing over the weekend.