Industar 29 2.8/80 review

The specifications of Industar 29 2.8/80:

Focal length: 80mm

Aperture: F/2.8-F/22.0

The number of aperture blades: 11 pieces

Optical design: 4 lenses in 3 groups, the scheme Tessar (Tessar, eagle eye)

Mount\thread: lens Mount from the camera a salute.

Weight: 340

MDF: 0.9 m

The diameter of front filter: 58mm

As usual, there are several versions of Industar 29 2.8/80. Modifications  only differ in the socket housing and in a  diaphragm control. Industar-29 was copied from Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 80 mm f/ 2.8 for Pentacon Six, because the pattern of the lens is very similar to the pictures with Tessaro.

Industar 29 2.8/80  is lens from medium format cameras.  If you want to experience the full potential,  you need to use digital backs. Even on full-frame cameras it will give your original image. But on full-frame cameras there is almost no vignetting at F/2.8.

Industar 29 2.8/80 is a gorgeous lens. It gives a very high-quality image. Besides, it  has a relatively low weight and nice ergonomics. I recommend this lens to all amateur photographers. However, Industar-29 is quite rare and quite rare sample of Soviet lenses.

Industar 29 2.8/80  has a very smooth focusing from infinity to 90 centimeters. The focus ring is all metal and located in front of the lens.

The disadvantage of Industar 29 2.8/80 is the fact that when focusing, the front element and the focus ring travels forward. This is  a little bit not convenient. But at the same time the front lens and its rim is not rotating. The design is quite unusual.

The body of  Industar 29 2.8/80 is made of stainless steel. The body is not covered with paint and has an unusual vintage metal look with black detailing near the lenses.

Industar 29 2.8/80  has a blinking (jumping) aperture. The aperture ring has a nice clicking mechanism. A distinctive feature of  Industar 29 2.8/80   is the presence of more than 11 aperture blades.

Industar 29 2.8/80  is a great lens with good image quality. If he had  focal length 85 mm, I would have included it in the vote for best Soviet portretik.

Comments:

Roman: Great lens.   I was surprised with its picture, even on a crop — some kind of picture’s nobility. The  sharpness and ductility happen simultaneously

Ivan: I like  lens’ plasticity. The portraits are soft. I think this is because the lens resolution is only 25/10.

Ilya: Excellent review! Lens is indeed perfect!