Industar 50-2: A Vintage Lens You can FEEL

What makes a vintage lens so special? What makes it remarkable? Is it the age? Is it the story behind the lens? What about the features? 

Most of us hear about the character of vintage lenses? What is the character? Is it the size of the aperture? Is it the number of aperture blades? Is it the design of the mount, or the glass involved in its construction? Where is it something else?

What if it's none of these things?

According to Vintage-Camera-lenses.com

“The Industar-50-2 is a curious little 50mm prime lens. It was manufactured in the soviet union for decades until the 1990ies, mostly for the Zenit SLR cameras. The Industar-50-2 is based on the Carl Zeiss Tessar design and is available in M42 mount.”

I. Introduction A. Brief overview of the Industar 50-2 lens B. Purpose of the review

The Industar 50-2 50mm f/3.5 is a compact and affordable lens that offers a unique shooting experience. It's not the most modern lens. It's not the sharpest lens either. The focus kind of falls off at the corners, and it's prone to flares. But none of that is the point. Because that's not why you use a vintage lens.

When you're shooting with a lens like this you want to ask yourself only one question:

"How does it feel?"

II. Technical Specifications A. Focal length: 50mm B. Maximum aperture: f/3.5 C. Minimum aperture: f/16 D. Lens mount compatibility E. Construction and build quality F. Filter size

For me, using this lens feels like I'm doing something right. It feels like I'm going back to the basics of photography, and getting in touch with the reasons for why I picked up a camera in the first place.

Everything about this lens is minimal, from its build quality to its specifications. It's slow in comparison to my other primes. Most primes in my collection are at least 1.4 or at the very least 2.8, but the industar's aperture is barely noticeable, at a humbling 3.5

III. Image Quality A. Sharpness and resolution 1. Center sharpness 2. Edge sharpness B. Color rendition and contrast C. Distortion and vignetting D. Bokeh quality E. Low-light performance

In terms of image quality, the lens performs admirably. It produces sharp and detailed images, particularly in the center of the frame. However, some softness and loss of sharpness can be observed towards the edges. The color rendition and contrast are generally pleasing, lending a vintage feel to the photographs. Distortion and vignetting are minimal, and the lens can create a pleasing bokeh effect.

That being said I have to crank the ISO a  bit, which teams to lend itself to the texture that this lens produces in its images. It reminds me of the days of film when we shot with heavy grain, and can definitely lend itself to a photographer's nostalgia for black and white or even sepia tone.

IV. Handling and Ergonomics A. Size and weight B. Manual focus operation C. Aperture control D. Depth of field scale E. Compatibility with camera systems

Handling the Industar 50-2 is a delight, especially for photographers who enjoy manual focus. The lens has a smooth focusing ring, allowing for precise control over the point of focus. The aperture control is also manual, providing a tactile experience. Its small size and lightweight construction make it a portable option for photographers on the go.

V. Sample Images A. Showcase a variety of photographs taken with the Industar 50-2 B. Demonstrate the lens' capabilities in different scenarios C. Evaluate the overall image quality based on the sample images

It's important to note that the Industar 50-2 is a fully manual lens, so it requires a compatible camera body with manual focus and aperture control. This limits its compatibility with certain modern camera systems that heavily rely on autofocus and electronic communication between the lens and camera.

VI. Pros and Cons A. Advantages of the Industar 50-2 lens B. Limitations or drawbacks of the lens

When it comes to low-light performance, the lens may struggle due to its relatively narrow maximum aperture of f/3.5. This makes it less suitable for situations that demand fast shutter speeds and low-light shooting.

VII. Comparison with Similar Lenses A. Compare the Industar 50-2 with other 50mm lenses in terms of image quality, price, and features B. Highlight the unique characteristics of the Industar 50-2

VIII. Conclusion A. Summary of the lens' performance and features B. Overall assessment and recommendation based on various factors C. Final thoughts and closing remarks

In conclusion, the Industar 50-2 50mm f/3.5 is a lens that caters to those seeking a vintage aesthetic and manual shooting experience. Its image quality and handling characteristics make it a worthwhile option for photographers who enjoy the quirks and unique characteristics of older lenses. However, it may not be the best choice for those who prioritize modern features or require exceptional low-light performance.

You say Character, quirks and flaws. But I say “feeling”. This is a lens I can FEEL.