Industar LTM Summitar vs. Industar

[mikepry]

I did a little test using my 1949 Summitar and a 1981 Industar 61 to see what differences there would be shooting wide open. I have to say the Industar really surprised me. The bokeh on the Summitar takes my breath away as I have never seen anything like this before. What a wonderful effect indeed. The Industar 61, in spite of having allot of RUST on the aperture blades, performed wonderful at it's widest opening of 2.8. I also did some other shots at 5.6 and above and I have to say I think the Industar outperformed the Summitar. Is this blasphemy? Maybe I got a good one, I don't know? I was in a camera shop looking at a case for my lllc and saw the Industar for 20.00! I thought what the hey and bought it. I went to Matt's site and followed his excellent instructions for cleaning it and it is buttery smooth now (focus). So what I'm pondering is the huge price difference between the two? Is this justified? I know that Avedon, when he was with Vogue in the 60's used the East German 35mm Biogon and bought them by the case. When one would go bad he simply would throw it in the trash and get a new one. I guess to sum up is just that I am really surprised at the quality of the 20 dollar Industar. The Summitar image is the one of my daughter on the left and the Industar is on the right. Notice my wifes souvineer T-Shirt of the Simon and Garfunkel 1983 concert from New Zealand!

 

[xayraa33]

the I-61 is one nice lens regardless of cost.
supply and demand keeps the Summitar price high and the Industar 61 price very low.

 

[nzeeman]

i like both photos. better atmosphere on first but second is sharper.

 

[nikola]

summitar bokeh makes my head spin...

i love industar

 

[Krosya]

You can see my examples of Summitar and Industar 22 here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=542542#post542542