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stevebrot · 12-23-2012, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

Speaking of me, I have found my best bargain to this day: an Industar 61 L/Z, for the equivalent of $12. I'm planning to give it as a Christmas present to my girlfriend, although I will get to use it as well (I hope). Since I purchased it, I became super interested in this lens, and Soviet lenses in general. I think many of them are great, and underappreciated gems, as opposed to the much-hyped Takumars (there's internet hype about some Russian lenses too, though, but not this one).
I have managed to pull out this picture with it, I hope she'll like it

The Industar-61 L/Z is well-respected, though not particularly popular. I think the relatively slow maximum aperture might be a factor. Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive?

Steve

vladimiroltean · 12-24-2012, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You might want to contact the blogger to see if he is willing to share his article again.

Or even simpler, use Wayback Machine

Originally posted by stevebrot

The Industar-61 L/Z is well-respected, though not particularly popular. I think the relatively slow maximum aperture might be a factor. Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive?

Thanks, Steve. Yep, the small aperture is a big sigh, because you only get to see the stars from f/5.6 to f/8, and that's a shame, because there's so much DOF at that aperture. But f/2.8 is pretty standard for a macro lens (or, at least as close to a Russian macro as you're gonna get)

fiveseven · 12-24-2012, 12:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive?

Steve

Not from what I understand.
Lanthanum-138 is radioactive.
Lanthanum that is used in optics and other consumer products is not 138 and is not radioactive at all.

TheOsOProject · 12-24-2012, 06:10 PM - **1 Like**

I'm really starting to like this MC Mir-20

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bigrex · 12-24-2012, 08:59 PM

Here's the Arsat 20mm with a Nikon PK mount adapter. I attribute a lot of the high IQ to having the K-5 in iso 80 and the lens at f8. This lens is sharpest at f8 and also very good f5.6 to f11 above or below that aren't worth messing with due to the quality drop off. The photo also was sharpened in Photoshop within the RAW settings interface and then again for the smaller sized down image. It was only sharpened in the RAW settings interface in the full res crop. It really takes the sharpening well with no graininess in iso 80. I picked this lens up off of eBay new but haven't seen it for sale on there for several years.

Crop:

TheOsOProject · 12-27-2012, 08:58 PM - **1 Like**

I just picked up a Helios MC 44m-5. I have to shoot it wide open until/when I decide to do that trick to shim the pin in... but until then, I think I found my new favorite lens. 60 bucks US I paid and a used camera shop.

enemix · 12-27-2012, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by TheOsOProject

I just picked up a Helios MC 44m-5. I have to shoot it wide open until/when I decide to do that trick to shim the pin in... but until then, I think I found my new favorite lens. 60 bucks US I paid and a used camera shop.

Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer.

vladimiroltean · 12-28-2012, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by TheOsOProject

I just picked up a Helios MC 44m-5. I have to shoot it wide open until/when I decide to do that trick to shim the pin in... but until then, I think I found my new favorite lens. 60 bucks US I paid and a used camera shop.

Nice pictures with the Helios. I find its best performance is wide open.
But I have to remark, though, that you have quite a budget for these Russian lenses. I don't know if I would have spent half the money for those

TheOsOProject · 12-28-2012, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

But I have to remark, though, that you have quite a budget for these Russian lenses. I don't know if I would have spent half the money for those

They seem to be inline with what I see them go for on eBay. Plus, recently my whole kit was stolen so I'm starting over from scratch. The way I see it is, I'm starting over for a lot cheaper then I started the last time. My first non-kit lens purchase was the DA*50-135 last time.

TheOsOProject · 12-28-2012, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by enemix

Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer.

Cool. Will probably take a stab at it this weekend.

stevebrot · 12-29-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

Nice pictures with the Helios. I find its best performance is wide open.

That is one of the design benefits of the Biotar design, consistent sharpness at all apertures. There is, however, the issue of severe falloff in resolution in the corners, but this is not an issue with APS-C cameras. Shoot the same lens on a 35mm film camera and the problem is pretty obvious.

Steve

simbon4o · 12-31-2012, 03:35 PM - **3 Likes**

My favorite soviet lens!
KMZ Zenitar-M 50 1.7

TheOsOProject · 01-01-2013, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by enemix

Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer.

I finally did it. Used a toothpick

And you're right. Took about 5 minutes.

vladimiroltean · 01-03-2013, 07:32 AM

Picture from last summer, re-edited. Helios 44M.

vladimiroltean · 01-11-2013, 12:36 PM

OK, so it's me again. Nice to see me. Here's some more Helios love.

12-24-2012, 02:47 AM	#1742
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by stevebrot You might want to contact the blogger to see if he is willing to share his article again. Or even simpler, use Wayback Machine Originally posted by stevebrot The Industar-61 L/Z is well-respected, though not particularly popular. I think the relatively slow maximum aperture might be a factor. Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive? Thanks, Steve. Yep, the small aperture is a big sigh, because you only get to see the stars from f/5.6 to f/8, and that's a shame, because there's so much DOF at that aperture. But f/2.8 is pretty standard for a macro lens (or, at least as close to a Russian macro as you're gonna get) Last edited by vladimiroltean; 12-24-2012 at 02:30 PM.

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12-23-2012, 10:58 PM	#1741
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kcobain1992 Speaking of me, I have found my best bargain to this day: an Industar 61 L/Z, for the equivalent of $12. I'm planning to give it as a Christmas present to my girlfriend, although I will get to use it as well (I hope). Since I purchased it, I became super interested in this lens, and Soviet lenses in general. I think many of them are great, and underappreciated gems, as opposed to the much-hyped Takumars (there's internet hype about some Russian lenses too, though, but not this one). I have managed to pull out this picture with it, I hope she'll like it The Industar-61 L/Z is well-respected, though not particularly popular. I think the relatively slow maximum aperture might be a factor. Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive? Steve

12-24-2012, 12:08 PM - 1 Like	#1743
fiveseven Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NV/CA Posts: 370	Originally posted by stevebrot Might we also mention that it is mildly radioactive? Steve Not from what I understand. Lanthanum-138 is radioactive. Lanthanum that is used in optics and other consumer products is not 138 and is not radioactive at all.

12-24-2012, 08:59 PM	#1745
bigrex Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 69	Here's the Arsat 20mm with a Nikon PK mount adapter. I attribute a lot of the high IQ to having the K-5 in iso 80 and the lens at f8. This lens is sharpest at f8 and also very good f5.6 to f11 above or below that aren't worth messing with due to the quality drop off. The photo also was sharpened in Photoshop within the RAW settings interface and then again for the smaller sized down image. It was only sharpened in the RAW settings interface in the full res crop. It really takes the sharpening well with no graininess in iso 80. I picked this lens up off of eBay new but haven't seen it for sale on there for several years. Crop:

12-27-2012, 11:13 PM	#1747
enemix Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Borås, Sweden Posts: 57	Originally posted by TheOsOProject I just picked up a Helios MC 44m-5. I have to shoot it wide open until/when I decide to do that trick to shim the pin in... but until then, I think I found my new favorite lens. 60 bucks US I paid and a used camera shop. Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer.

12-28-2012, 07:10 AM	#1748
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by TheOsOProject I just picked up a Helios MC 44m-5. I have to shoot it wide open until/when I decide to do that trick to shim the pin in... but until then, I think I found my new favorite lens. 60 bucks US I paid and a used camera shop. Nice pictures with the Helios. I find its best performance is wide open. But I have to remark, though, that you have quite a budget for these Russian lenses. I don't know if I would have spent half the money for those

12-28-2012, 07:30 AM	#1749
TheOsOProject Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta - US Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Originally posted by kcobain1992 But I have to remark, though, that you have quite a budget for these Russian lenses. I don't know if I would have spent half the money for those They seem to be inline with what I see them go for on eBay. Plus, recently my whole kit was stolen so I'm starting over from scratch. The way I see it is, I'm starting over for a lot cheaper then I started the last time. My first non-kit lens purchase was the DA*50-135 last time.

12-28-2012, 07:34 AM	#1750
TheOsOProject Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta - US Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Originally posted by enemix Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer. Cool. Will probably take a stab at it this weekend.

12-29-2012, 04:49 PM	#1751
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kcobain1992 Nice pictures with the Helios. I find its best performance is wide open. That is one of the design benefits of the Biotar design, consistent sharpness at all apertures. There is, however, the issue of severe falloff in resolution in the corners, but this is not an issue with APS-C cameras. Shoot the same lens on a 35mm film camera and the problem is pretty obvious. Steve

12-31-2012, 03:35 PM - 3 Likes	#1752
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258	My favorite soviet lens! KMZ Zenitar-M 50 1.7

01-01-2013, 11:29 AM	#1753
TheOsOProject Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta - US Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Originally posted by enemix Just wanted to tell you that it's easily done, it took me less than 5 min and I have never modified a lens before. I used a piece of the rod from a cotton swab as a spacer. I finally did it. Used a toothpick And you're right. Took about 5 minutes.

01-03-2013, 07:32 AM	#1754
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Picture from last summer, re-edited. Helios 44M.

01-11-2013, 12:36 PM	#1755
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	OK, so it's me again. Nice to see me. Here's some more Helios love.

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