Unloved Lenses - Amazing Images! Three Great Value Vintage Lenses - Tested!

[@pedromeza2398]

In 1977, while in photography class I was lucky enough to buy a Pentax Spotmatic that came with that standard lenses, I strictly shot black and white film and the results were amazing.

[@mjohnston8313]

year of my birth.

[@dudepersonvids]

The Super Takumar 55 f/1.8 is my favorite vintage lens, and was the $10 thrift store gem that kicked off my entire collection of vintage lenses (I'm now at 3 Super Takumars, 3 vintage Nikkors, and a couple vivitars for fun...)

[@reinhardankenbauer3241]

Sir, may I express my admiration of your smooth and enchanting language describing the loveliness of certain vintage lenses? It's nothing less but poetic!

[@ChasWG]

I own the Auto-Takumar 55 f1.8. It really is a great little lens. Some of the images I've taken with it are just amazing, especially when compared to the more sot-after lenses that I also own. Maybe its not the best or most unique, but I constantly find myself reaching for it. Another area it excels in is macro. Put this lens on the end of a set of bellows and be ready to be amazed. Not all vintage lenses are up to this level and not all deliver the goods in this arena, but this little Takumar can do it well. Also, my copy has a diffenent coloration to the black body. All of my other Takumars have a classic matte or dull, semi-gloss black finish. This one lens has a semi-gloss finish with a hint of blue to the color. Its very unique and beautiful. All three parts of the outer body have this color. Its also the smallest Takumar I own. Very light, but also built to the same standard as all my other Takumar, Super-Takumar and Super-Multi-Coated Takumars. One thing you didn't mention is that this lens, when compared to the other lenses in the Takumar line turns both the focus and aperture rings in the opposite direction then most takumars. Meaning the widest aperture is on the far left of the aperture scale and nto get to the closest focus position, you also turn the ring to the lesft. Its opposite on most other Takumars. I believe this was done for only a short while and then they returned to the opposite directions for every other Takumar and Pentax lens. Not that its important, but it is different.

[@freeman10000]

I just recieved my Indistar 50-2 this morning after its long trip from Ukraine. Looking forward to giving it a spin.

[@neilpiper9889]

I am still using my Pentax 55mm 1.8 that I bought in the 1970s and I am still amazed at the pictures it took and still takes. I also still have the 1958 Zenith C that I bought new at age 13 in Lowestoft. I won a photographic competition with this camera and the wonderful 50mm 3.5 lens. Today I use the exceptional Jupiter 8 50mm f2 on my lovely Zorki 4K which is as near to a Leica M2 that I can afford. Keep the videos coming, I love them

[@zenography7923]

Thanks Neil, glad you're enjoying the videos! A J8 and Zorki 4k is a great combination; great lens, great camera, and stylish too!

[@ghw7192]

Many younger photographers have never experienced the variety and quality found in preset lenses. Low prices and some are optical dreams.

[@zenography7923]

Indeed!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Managed to get a Takumar 55mm f1.8 on our favourite auction site for around £15 I was well pleased... and I love it......

[@ronnycat9138]

This is the place to learn more about vintage lenses! You got a really great channel! I recently bought a used Sony7 for a fair price, just to do my own oldies a bit justice. Mostly East Europe stuff. And i wanted a full sensor-camera for years but most of them are either to old or to expensive for my budget. Keep up the great work!

[@derekholmes1302]

Super video Nigel These vintage lenses never cease to amaze us! Lovely to see your appraisal of these lenses, especially the Industar 50-2 Derek

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks Derek, glad you enjoyed it! Your Industar is a very cool little lens!

[@bradmiller9993]

I am delighted with the 'magic' sometimes produced by the Takumar....my favorite vintage lens so far.

[@barrycohen311]

I have the 55mm f/1.8 SMC Tak. I rate it up there with my Leica Summicron.

[@zenography7923]

It's outstanding, a real gem!

[@kuchcyk]

So pleased to listen to this appraisal of the 55m 1.8 Takumar as I just bought one and am looking forward to using it

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll enjoy it - it's lovely!

[@kuchcyk]

​@@zenography7923 Thanks. I'm sure I will. I'll mount it on my Sony A7 II as I don't actually have an M42 SLR at the moment but may buy a Pentax if I like this lens enough. Not had a Pentax since 1972!

[@numistika]

The way you talk about Takumar makes me hungry! 😉 You are using the tone of your voice so well, it makes any lens in your presentation sound lovely and delicious. I just have to get me one of those 10 blade auto-takumars! 👍❤️👍📸📸📸📸👍❤️👍

[@oldfilmguy9413]

Thanks for the great video as always! I purchased a Industar 50 50mm f3.5 from eBay a few minutes ago for $22 U.S. - hope it works well - cheers!

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll be fine - enjoy that lens!

[@ericdettwiler5656]

Thank you for your charming review, you have a gift giving the right words to describe things - very appealing. Thank you sharing your experience and putting these old beauties in this delightful light. Love it. Blessings from France, Eric 🎩

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks Eric, glad you enjoyed it!

[@CapitanFajardo]

That Industar 50/3.5 seems to be lovely indeed. I really like the rendering and the swirliness of the background.

[@zenography7923]

It's a nice little lens - with a bit of added swirl too!

[@anbar5675]

It is a great lens. Sharp with very nice out of focus backgrounds. Seems that the Tessar formula, gave us some real gems.

[@ashersmarvelmcocexamplesof450]

Absolutely fantastic review of these unheralded lenses. That last lens looks very very special, despite its slow maximum aperture. The Pentax is also interesting to me, as I do use Pentax lenses. Great video.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, very glad you enjoyed it!

[@dsdave07]

Very well done, and I especially admire your choice of sample subjects. Vintage lenses are being snapped up here in the US.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, very glad you enjoyed it!

[@bundo13]

I love the phone booth at 3:19!

[@727jetjumper]

Just received my Industar 50-2 today. Not a fan of the front mount aperture ring, but it is clickless, and you can fine tune for exposure. I like it already much more than my Industar 61 (53/2.8) for image quality/focus

[@zenography7923]

It's a great little lens - enjoy!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

Very good video again Nigel I heartily raise a glass to you... you really do... do your homework.... Very relaxing to watch too.. thank you so much.....

[@Markeymarc321]

There is something about your sample pictures that I love.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed them!

[@Ekirea]

There is such a nice feeling in your videos,thank you!

[@zenography7923]

That's very pleasing to hear, thanks!

[@williamcurwen7428]

I have the Industar 50-2 and use it for B&W infrared photography, mostly at around f5.6 combined with a Nikon Soft No 1 filter - a fantastic lens.

[@Русский-з9о]

Индустар 50-2 удивительный! С первого взгляда - невзрачный, некрасивый блинчик, похожий на нос поросёнка. Но все, кто его используют, отмечают его превосходную цветопередачу, резкость, отсутствие аберраций. Великолепный анастигмат системы Тессар, лёгкий, компактный, но у него есть недостатки. Нетерпимость к контровому и боковому свету, нестандартная резьба под светофильтр. Если изготовить ему бленду, это будет любимый стрит объектив миллионов фотографов.

[@sclogse1]

This 4 year old review is a classic. Off to find a Pentax. Always fun when you can pay the rent and still buy a lens.

[@zenography7923]

Indeed! Enjoy.

[@horatiueduard]

I think a lot of people love the Takumar 55mm 1.8.

[@zenography7923]

I'm not surprised, it's one of the nicest lenses I've used!

[@jaymichaels5187]

Great review of these lenses...I have owned these three lenses for many years now and you are spot on in your assessment of them. Try to locate a Chinon 55mm f1.7 lens in M42 mount to review and you will be delighted by its performance .

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I've heard good things about that Chinon - I'll look out for one!

[@cameratrav]

@@zenography7923 I have the Chinon 55mm 1.7, clear glass but with stuck blades so 1.7 only! My tools can't open the front title ring though to gain access.

[@jacovanlith5082]

Do you know the amount of 50 mm lenses made over the years? @@zenography7923

[@abbycasanova1380]

thank you so much mine is auto takumar f2 and i love it so much.

[@jaysaw8151]

Hello from the US..I been Into photography for a good few years .looks like these lenses will be right for alot of my wild life photography ..lots of animals are not skittish .I want the most focus on them the back ground can stay a blur but still have good foliage colors especially fall and Early winter...

[@justcallmesando]

I am getting the Industar 50mm f3.5 this monday! I have wanted to get this lens for a couple of years but never made it happen until now. Will use it on my X-Pro 1.

[@zenography7923]

It's a nice little lens - unpretentious and capable - enjoy!

[@robhosailor]

Thanks for another great video! I use vintage lenses and film cameras from my tiny collection and I personally prefer Industar-22 and Industar-61 than Industar-26M but results are very similar each other ... so maybe it's only personal.

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@ZisDimitris4444]

Another great presentation💯📷 all your infos are very helpful Dear . I try last year to shoot more & more with my (forgotten in my old bag) the Helios 44 M 2 ... fantastic lens with a lot of character,lovely image's.Its one from my favourite lenses that time.Thank you again!!

[@zenography7923]

You can't beat a bit of Helios! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@josecasasferrer]

You are a poet of photography

[@zenography7923]

Thank you!

[@cronope]

J'adore vos présentations et vos conseils, merci beaucoup!

[@zenography7923]

Merci beaucoup, heureux que vous appréciez les vidéos!

[@johnwest7228]

I own all three of these- need to get them out more for photography walk- abouts - always enjoy your presentations

[@zenography7923]

It sounds like they need to be used!

[@JachtingMotorowy]

Świetny głos, przyjemnie posłuchać. Pożyteczne informacje.

[@zenography7923]

Wielkie dzięki, cieszę się, że Ci się podobało!

[@MichaelRusso]

The Auto-Takumar 55mm's are great. Non radioactive I believe. I like them better then the Super Takumar's that proceeded them. The Industar's are also great. The Industar 50 makes a great macro with extension tubes.

[@carltanner9065]

Just went on ebay to have a look for these lenses. Found them. Some are even new lenses!!! Will be buying them as soon as I get paid :) One thing I did find with the Industar 26 is two "limited edition" lenses that have orange and yellow highlights on the lenses :) I think a silver, yellow and orange set would look nice not only on a shelf, but also in my camera bag!!! :)

[@zenography7923]

Yes, there's still plenty of new old stock former USSR photo gear available, which is wonderful! Those colours sound pretty groovy too!

[@tomjanowski8584]

Just got my Industar 50. It's silver and has the red P. M39 mount. I have it on a Canon DSLR. Took it out after work and the sharpness is impressive. Minimum focus distance seems to be right around 6 inches. Maximum focus distance is around 10 feet. So, definitely not a landscape lens. Background blur is smooth. Colors are accurate. Contrast is good. Lens flare can be wild at times.

[@georgekrasheninnikov6791]

Accurate colors? Color formula 7-0-0. If you photograph on film on slides, there is always a bluish tint.

[@AnimeHairSyndrome]

The Industar-50 is kind of absurd in how many different ones were made, not only the L39 mount and M42 mount versions you mentioned, but also an M39 mount version made for early Zenit SLRs (before they switched to M42). There's also the Industar-50U, which is an enlarger lens that came on the UPA-6 and other enlargers. EDIT: The M39 version was just called the Industar-50, not Industar-50M

[@zenography7923]

Gosh, that's one versatile optic!

[@Русский-з9о]

Вы совершенно правы! Индус 50 - использовался и на дальномерных фотокамерах, резьба м39, в то же время и на зеркальном Зените 3м, отличается лишь рабочим отрезком. Индус 50-2 - с резьбой м42 - только на зеркальных.

[@matthewneleigh567]

I actually have two of these- almost. My 55mm f/1.8 is the early SMC Pentax-K version, from before the M/A split. Doesn't have the lovely "golden glow" from the coatings on the older Takumars, but otherwise it should be optically the same, I guess. It does need some attention, as the front barrel (where the filter thread is) is loose, but all the screws are there and I have the tools to fix that. I have two Industar-50s (L39 and M42 versions) and while they remain untested, due to the pandemic, they look in good shape (one had the packaging and manual!) and should give good performance.

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll like that little Industar, when you shoot it!

[@matthewneleigh567]

@@zenography7923 I imagine I will- most reviews have been positive. By now I have an Industar-26m on order as well, so I'll have all three of these in a few weeks. :)

[@RuiFilipeBacelardeOliveira]

Another great vídeo, i have two copies of the Industar 50 and they are like a toy lens, but loads of fun and good results

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@ИванПетров-л1щ6р]

That b/w photograph of Mister Squirrel on "9:29" is just brilliant. And the other images, which you have made by "Industar 26", are surprisingly good, all of them. I would never believe, that such a simple, mass-produced soviet lens could give us such interesting and lovely pictures... Well, did you use any post-production or in-camera filters, by the way? =))

[@zenography7923]

No, no pp or filters, all straight out of camera! Great little lenses...

[@Русский-з9о]

Индус 26м - очень неоднозначен! У меня есть возможность сравнивать, уверяю, что лучшая цветопередача у поводковых Индусов 26м. Яркая, сочная, а у тех, у которых геликоид круглый, ребристый, цветопередача более спокойная, приглушённая. Индус 61 - ярко выраженно синит картинку! Но последний Индус 61ЛД - шикарная цветопередача, очень похожая на поводковый 50х годов. Резкость у всех одинакова.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

So you found your Tak 55/1,8, congrats. I'm still on a lookout for mine...

[@zenography7923]

Yes, I've finally found one - and it's great! You'll love it when you find it...

[@Daidaho]

Fun fact: to my knowledge Industar 50/3.5 weighs less than any m42 adapter to any mirrorless system. Puts it into "bayonet cap" territory.

[@zenography7923]

It really does deserve the term 'pancake'!

[@jonlouis2582]

Great photos as always.

[@dlajb]

About the Tukumar 50 1.8 it's not that it's not loved. it sure is, but it's considered a step down compared to 1.4 but it still a wonderful one indeed.

[@zenography7923]

A step down perhaps, but I think it's a little bit nicer all the same!

[@philhodgkinson1460]

I have ST, 1.4 50mm...also my son has one he bought his on ebay stateside while working in Canada..the front element had lost a screw I pinched a screw from old sigma lens had to cut to length but fixed it... and I took photo of lavender garden that I like... with it... amazing..

[@briandipierro8865]

I've never used a Pentax lens before, but this made me want one and I'm honestly going to look when I get paid.

[@zenography7923]

This little Pentax is one of the nicest lenses you can buy for the money, bar none, and it beats some more expensive options too! I don't think you'll be disappointed...

[@jacovanlith5082]

How does the "big" Pentax 50/55 mm looks like?@@zenography7923

[@cameratrav]

I have an Industar 61 instead of the 26, I hadn't thought of trying a lens hood. You prompted me to look in a box of odd bits obtained with job lots of cameras etc. I found that I have an old but smart Actina 42mm push fit hood which fits perfectly onto the 61, now to try the 61 again :-) I also have an Industar 50 as new, but no lens hood to fit that one.

[@zenography7923]

I think you'll find the I-61 better with a hood. The 50 is a different matter as its a very small size, though hoods must be out there for it...

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Your Industar 26 was made in 1956 (last two figures of serial number). Great review, thumbs up.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, I didn't realise that!

[@VintageCameraGuy.]

Great lenses, but Industar-50-2 f3.5 is a real hidden gem among cheap lenses.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip!

[@SeternaS]

Thanks for the reviews of these three lenses.In my opinion, according to the characteristics and should not be, the Industriar 50-2 showed the best sharpness and the best colors.Very surprised.at the time of writing this comment, this lens costs 500 rubles or $ 5 in Russia. Igor,Moscow,Russia

[@TheOctodread]

you made me regret selling the auto-takumar in an instant

[@chronicfish]

This is long overdue, and I can only hope for a response, but it will be ever so much appreciated. I'm new to all this. I have a Fed 1 with its retractable L39 "Elmar-type" lens. I was given a broken Zorki 4 with the Industar 50/3.5 lens (in lovely condition). I didn't know much about thread mounts at the time and proceeded to put the Industar, easily on my Fed 1. I then got extremely confused, because every article I read, they mentioned the Industar 50 to be a M42 mount.. and here I swore it fit perfectly on my L39 threaded Fed 1... So thank you for clarifying! What I don't get is, why I can see the edge of the Industar lens, when viewing through the viewfinder. Is this an issue with image taking or will I need some kind of external rangefinder to make up for different focal length (which to my common sense, but little knowledge, makes no sense as both lenses are 50mm lenses)? Or am I grossly missing something? Thank you kindly.

[@curiobill]

I have yet to “pull the trigger” to buy an old film camera after twenty years of cellphone photos, but I just wanted to thank you for your channel! Your videos are simply wonderful and unique art! Please keep up the good work!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks so much, very glad you're enjoying them!

[@dingothps]

i own a super-takumar 55/1.8 but it should produce the same kind of images as the auto-takumar 55/1.8 right? its one of my favourite fast 50ish lenses together with the pentacon 50/1.8. while its not quite as sharp as the pentacon lens and the bokeh can be a just bit busy at times, i really like the way it renders colors in nature and it has a very pretty rainbow lensflare. overall the best built quality vintage lens in my collection. it still feels factory new and yellowish glass and body makes it look very beautiful

[@zenography7923]

Great lenses, for sure!

[@idmuoi]

Beautiful photos

[@zenography7923]

Thank you so much!

[@MathieuAlepin]

Your videos are so good! They have reconnected me with the passion I had about twenty-two years ago for photography and shooting and experimenting with light and darkness and weather and more. I have a Nikon D7100 dslr, but I reckon I need a different camera to use your suggested vintage lens so to not damage it and to be able to see the whole image. Either a vintage film camera or a mirrorless are my options, right? I'm an indie filmmaker interested in experimenting with vintage lenses. But I also intend to do photography regularly with them every single day now because of your splendid videos. So I might invest in a mirrorless camera. Are the vintage lenses compatible with the fujifilm xt2-3-4? Thank you for inspiring old and new photographers to reconnect or to connect for the first time with the essence of photography!

[@briandipierro8865]

If you get the proper adapter, pretty much any lens will work on any mirrorless camera, including the Fuji XT cameras! Most lenses won't work WELL on DSLR's because of flange distance, you won't have the whole focusing range, I've tried it with my Canon T2 and Sony A55. I ended up going cheaper on a slightly older mirrorless camera, and it's still so fun to go out with it and get photos.

[@MathieuAlepin]

@@briandipierro8865 Thanks, Brian! I think that's what I'll do besides diving into film. I ended up buying a Fed 4 and also a retired photographer's well kept darkroom equipment, including a good colour enlarger, all and all for about the price of an old dslr. I want to get back into the old school art of shooting and developing and enlarging besides getting an older mirrorless body and vintage lenses. Taking Ansel Adams for example, he enlarged his own work and developed his technique throughout his life. It'll be fun and interesting.

[@glaurung666]

Industar 50-2 M39 version could be easily turned into M42 version. All you need is to unscrew tail extender.

[@gsimagen4355]

Excellent video! I would like to know your opinion about the Jupiter 9 lens...Greetings from Mexico

[@kensho62]

Excellent reviews, thanks! Poetic and precise at the same time. The intonation of your voice is hypnotic. In minute 2 I want to run to buy the lens ... always! Please stop!!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@barrycohen311]

Cool video.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@alvinmorris5404]

I have the 50mm f1.7 version of the pentax lens you show in this video I'm wondering if you have ever used this particular lens before? maybe tried it on a dslr?

[@VanDanmark]

I own or have owned all three of these - in the case of Industar 50, I think I have six or seven! Would love to see your thoughts on the Jupiter 3. I'd lend you mine, but I'm afraid an ocean and half a continent separate us!

[@Русский_Мыслитель]

Во времена СССР, в 70-ые - 80-ые годы объектив Индустар-50-2 (для зеркальных "зенитов") продавался во всех магазинах за 7 рублей ровно (~$10). Сейчас его можно купить за эквивалент $3-$5.

[@zenography7923]

Вау, это довольно дешево! Я предполагаю, что факт, что было так много сделанных, помогает также снизить цену.

[@ataraxia4526]

55mm F1.8 looks very interesting. But from what I read on Pentaxforums, someone had measured 0.16uSv/h radiation behind a DSLR it is attached to. It is equivalent to taking atleast 1 dental x-ray every hour in to your eye.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Apparently they are coated in thorium. The yellow tint gives it away.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

@@PhilOsGarage Not coated, it's actually in the glass of the rear elements.

[@grahvis]

There is nothing to worry about. "A study carried out by the Physics department of Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology estimates that total exposure to a professional photographer using a typical thoriated lens would amount to only 0.2% yearly allowable exposure to the eye and 0.17% to the whole body under the conservative standards of the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority." camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Radioactive_lenses

[@sclogse1]

The camera will block the radiation.

[@joiscara7191]

I have the WHAYCTAP-50-2, and I’m trying to figure out the filter size. Can you please clarify what that is? Thank you.

[@sergeantcrow]

For our Nikon F mount friends.. The Takumar 55 will work to infinity on your Nikon if you wind out the rear element a turn or so.. and lock it somehow.. I bought the 35mm version and that little trick did not work.. Of course canon EF users can avail of that longer 'Registry' distance...

[@zenography7923]

A useful tip, thanks!

[@stephanecalleri4692]

Hi there! I'm looking for a front cap lens for my industar 50. Which one do I need? I meam which measure? Thank you! :-)

[@QippysChannel]

Wonderful review! Btw what was the camera body used in combination with these lenses?

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! All images were shot on a Sony a7 mark 1.

[@lockness3723]

Great video. What camera are you using to test these lenses.

[@zenography7923]

All images were shot on a Sony a7 mark 1.

[@jaysaw8151]

Nice video

[@mardenhill]

industar is not the manufacturer, but kmz (krasnogorsk mechanical plant) -- it’s the name of the lens. same with the takumar -- pentax is just a brand, the manufacturer was asahi optical company.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the correction - although I think KMZ produced the Jupiter lenses, not the Industars...

[@mardenhill]

@@zenography7923 my pleasure. depends on which period you refer to -- as the plants of the communist era were not equivalents to companies or enterprises of the capitalist block, products were manufactured at various locations sometimes. my statement was an oversimplification and partially incorrect -- the industar 26m you tested was manufactured by fed in the ukraine, albeit kmz manufactured them as well. the industar 50-2 was manufactured by kmz, later zenit. i'll post a link to a list of the logos which help identify the respective plant that produced the items. cameras.alfredklomp.com/logos/ sovietcams.com is also a briliant source of information on all the variations and types of lenses that have been manufactured for range finders, see the entry for the industar 26m: www.sovietcams.com/indexdecd.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=554&_m_e_id=5&_menu_i_id=530 thanks for the videos! cheers, tomis

[@philhodgkinson1460]

My silver Industar 26 dosent have that grippy boss to focus with???

[@oneeye7581]

thank you! 당신의 영상은 저에게 좋은 영감이 됩니다

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@sayoragulyamova9620]

Beautiful! And what about camera, which one you use?

[@zenography7923]

All the images in the video were shot on a Sony A7 Mark 1. Thanks for watching!

[@sayoragulyamova9620]

@@zenography7923 Thank you!

[@Русский_Мыслитель]

Индустар-26 - предшественник объектива Индустар-61Л/Д.

[@zenography7923]

Да, по моему опыту, он также дает похожее изображение, но более чувствителен к свету!

[@Bearhawk58]

Will these vintage lenses work on Canon EOS RP?

[@choyhongtan9]

The takumar really impressed me with its colour, while sharpness is just nice enough. While industar 50mm f3.5 is truly underated lens, possibly due to its "slow" aperture?

[@Русский_Мыслитель]

И-50-2 создан по оптической схеме Tessar - он принципиально не может быть светосильным.

[@zenography7923]

I think the slowish aperture has someting to do with it - great little lens though!

[@jameswburke]

Must be true - lots of people seem to be obsessed with shooting at f1.4 or wider. I don't really understand why unless it's focus stacked or something. I always shoot at f5.6 or f8 - good old-fashioned f stops. Must get one of those little Industars for my trusty Canon 5D bodies. Small lenses are less intimidating for portraits and street photography too.

[@anbar5675]

Right. The drawback of the Tessar formula is the slow max. aperture. Dear Zenography, imagine if our beloved Pentax 50mm f4 Macro could have an f2 aperture.

[@NevardArt]

awesome

[@zenography7923]

Thank you!

[@barrymclachlan892]

will any of the lenses that you apraise fit with adaptors Nikon 1 J1and J2 cameras thank you

[@zenography7923]

Yes, all will fit with the right adaptor!

[@paulomonteiro2208]

Grato. Adoro seus vídeos!

[@zenography7923]

Molte grazie, felice che ti piacciano!

[@anthonygainsford1893]

I would love a chat about this subject and my teaching program to bring a younger audience into appreciating the "Feel" of vintage photography, just as wonderful as softness, tone and feel? Let me know. Best

[@zenography7923]

Sure, you can email me at [e-mail]

[@rocheuro]

I have Takumar 55 1.8 and I think it is amasing, it has some specific magic like no other lenses , but I didnt tried 50mm 1.7 from pentax Takumar, is 1.7 SMC Takumar a better / sharper, more contrasty lens than this 55 1.8 SMC ? btw. my serial no. is similar to yours starts 4988...

[@zenography7923]

They're both pretty nice, but on balance I prefer the 1.8...

[@Shigeshajo]

Can industar 26 work on zorki c?

[@soultrekcentral]

This guy must be a poet.

[@zenography7923]

Well I do scribble a bit, now you come to mention it!

[@soultrekcentral]

@@zenography7923 keep on scribbling, its good!

[@montazownianr1]

or creepy freak

[@scrptwic]

I have the Pentax 55mm1.8 M lens I wonder if there if there is a difference between the M lens and the Takumar 55mm1.8?

[@zenography7923]

I don't know for sure, but would suspect they are optically similar. The 1.8 would certainly be difficult to improve on!

[@johnw2318]

what is the difference between the auto and the super takumar 55mm? are they optically the same and are there any usability benefits with either? Is the version in the video the early version with 10 aperture blades please/

[@zenography7923]

They are optically similar, but the 'auto' and 'super' designations refer to the way the aperture operates.

[@johnw2318]

@@zenography7923 thank you...ive been doing some research...interesting stuff. Ordered one last night! Auto. Thanks for the vids!

[@wildcat22]

I have the 50-2 m42, it doesn't focus to infinity though. Would this be a result of it been taken apart and reassembled incorrectly. I'm using it on a lumix g3 with the mft adapter.

[@zenography7923]

If you're using an M42 to micro four thirds adaptor, your lens should focus properly. If it's not then the lens must be at fault, and incorrect assembly could certainly be responsible. Do other M42 lenses work correctly with the same adaptor?

[@wildcat22]

@@zenography7923 yes, have a 28mm and it works fine. Everyt6 moves nicely on the 50mm, there's no looseness or excessive tightness,

[@zenography7923]

@@wildcat22 I guess it can only be the lens at fault then. It would be worth checking the front and rear retaining rings for tightness - looseness here could produce the symptoms you describe, otherwise further stripping down will be needed.

[@wildcat22]

@@zenography7923 I will check that out. It's no big deal as when I use it with a T2(telescope) adapter ring for the canon then I can use the industar for really close macro shots, focuses down to 6cm. Thanks for your input.

[@georgeparkins777]

I have both the Industars, though I have the Z39-mount version of the I-50, which has a bare aluminum body and somewhat different shape. I have found the color response of the I-26 to be fantastic. I have an I-61L/D in the mail as well.

[@zenography7923]

The Industars are great, and somewhat overlooked, little lenses!

[@AchimTheEagle]

Sorry, but what are you talking about? The 1.8 55mm Auto-Takumar isn't an unloved lens at all. It's known to be a great lens by almost everyone. That said most people prefer the 1.8 55mm Super-Takumar version but in the end those two lenses are almost the same. Even the difference between the 7 and the 8 element version is bigger. ^^ Apart from that a very good video! ;)

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it - at least in part!

[@Poludioskroz]

Can Industar 26 50mm f2.8 be used on dslr camera with m39 adapter?

[@Русский_Мыслитель]

На зеркальных камерах только как макрообъектив. На беззеркальных камерах И-26 можно использовать как нормальный объектив, но нужен соответствующий адаптер.

[@zenography7923]

Unfortunately not - rangefinder lenses focus much closer to the rear of the lens than SLR (and DSLR) lenses do, so you'd probably only get macro focus. Depending on your DSLR model though, an Industar 50 (SLR version, as in this video) may work. Which camera do you have?

[@Poludioskroz]

@@zenography7923 Nikon D7000

[@AndreyShredder]

please fix the lens info in desc. Pentax 55mm not 50mm

[@zenography7923]

Fixed!

[@EmotionVFX]

Taks can be awesome...

[@zenography7923]

They usually are!

[@Русский_Мыслитель]

Объективом Индустар-50-2 (7 рублей => $10) комплектовались фотоаппараты для тех жителей СССР, кто не мог себе позволить Гелиос-44-2 (30 рублей => $40) или Гелиос-44М(-4) (40 рублей => $55).

[@zenography7923]

Да, это был базовый объектив для камер Zenit, насколько я понимаю. Хороший маленький объектив, хотя!

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Are you talking about the time when a one ounce jar of beluga was sold for 50 cents (копейки)?

[@JohannesMichaelK]

Waht means "AUTO" at the most old Lenses? Anyone an Idea?

[@zenography7923]

It's to do with the way the aperture is set while shooting - this page should clarify: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takumar

[@Just-a-bystander]

When you talk about sharpness, aren’t you confusing contrast with sharpness.. for instance, when you are talking about the first Industar, the image looks like the contrast increases between f-stop changes, which provides the appearance of increased sharpness. Software sharpening is only the practice of localized contrast adjustment and frankly, that is what it looks like from one f-stop to the next. Actual sharpness really comes down to the crispness of textures and details as rendered by the focus plane. A sharpness increase should mean more things are in clear focus.

[@zenography7923]

I'm pretty sure sharpness increased as I closed down the lens from wide open - as is the case with most lenses - although you're right, there was also an increase in contrast.

[@hoanglong-nv6wv]

What the sign mean? 02:15 Gaucho ???

[@zenography7923]

It's some sort of fancy club in London - I just liked the way the sign looked!

[@LeendertCordemans]

I think, this man is living near London. Isn't? Because a lot of his pictures show's. I like that very much.

[@MidnightSky69]

Can radioactive lenses get infected by fungus?

[@zenography7923]

An interesting question - I've not heard that fungus growth is retarded by radioactive lenses, although that may well be the case!

[@LeendertCordemans]

Nice review. Take pictures with those lenses allways using a lenshood. It comes better to his rights.