FED 1 - Industar 10 damage

[Woutervg97]

Ive just bought a FED 1 on a market in Vienna, before seeing this chip in the lens. Is it still usable, or should I get a new lens?

 

[koraks]

I bet that will produce some extremely fuzzy pictures. Yes, you'll need a new lens if you want normal photos.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Try it! I once had a Nikkor lens with a split/cracked element right down the middle and it was still a great picture taker. You might be surprised, but I'd expected it to flare in bright lighting. Also, it shouldn't set you back much to replace this one with a much better looking one.

 

[Woutervg97]

Try it! I once had a Nikkor lens with a split/cracked element right down the middle and it was still a great picture taker. You might be surprised, but I'd expected it to flare in bright lighting. Also, it shouldn't set you back much to replace this one with a much better looking one.

Thanks! Im not quite familiar with the m39 lenses (also because of the ffd). Got any recommendations for a replacement if need be?

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks! Im not quite familiar with the m39 lenses (also because of the ffd). Got any recommendations for a replacement if need be?

Well, if it were me I'd like to stay with what the FED camera came with and would look for a lens exactly like you have only with good glass. You then can venture out into other M39 or Leica Thread Mount lenses. There are millions of M39/LTM lenses on the big auction site and other places as well.

 

[Don_ih]

I have an old folder that has a cracked front element. Makes no difference (which was somewhat of a disappointment). You'll probably get flare more easily.

Got any recommendations for a replacement if need be?

Industar 26m.

 

[blee1996]

In terms of aesthetics, I would argue that another Industar-10 will fit the FED 1 best. But like others said, try it first since you might get surprisingly interesting results.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

If there are any aspiring Miroslav Tichy's out there they might take that lens off your hands. His famous statement:

“If you want to be famous, you must do something more badly than anybody in the entire world.” And to do this, “First of all, you have to have a bad camera.”​

Some Assembly Required: Miroslav Tichý — Online - Don't Take Pictures

This series focuses on those who take the making of pictures a step or two further, creating their own photographic tools.

www.donttakepictures.com

https://www.invaluable.com/artist/tichy-miroslav-l8zge1ijmn/sold-at-auction-prices/

To bad that to be a successful artist you have to be safely dead. Otherwise the following may occur: Miroslav: "They want $4,000 for that? I'll print you a copy for $10. I may even use fresh fixer. Or not."

* * *​

But I agree, try the camera - you might like it.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I'd at least give it a shot out of curiosity.

 

[reddesert]

I too would take some pics with the lens as-is just to see what they come out like. Front element damage may not be that obvious in photos until you point it into a bright light source. (Rear element damage is likely to be worse.) Here is a related comparison from lensrentals: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/

That said, it also shouldn't be hard to find another compatible Soviet-era 50mm lens, perhaps harder to find an Industar-10, but there are other collapsible 50mm.

Also, since the damage is localized, you could put a piece of black tape over the damaged area and take some pictures. You'll probably lose about 1/3 of the aperture area so roughly 2/3 of a stop of exposure, but with the damage blacked out, it may be difficult to detect any effect on the pictures.