Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Review

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm (russian name “Индустар-23”) is a standard lens for medium format camera "Moscow" (Москва).

Produced since 1946. Apparently, the prototype linings Industar-23 was triplet lens Novar-Anastigmat 4,5/110 produced by Zeiss Ikon AG, converted under the Tessar optical design. This is confirmed by the fact that the diffuser element at Industar-23 is in the middle of the inside barrel, a constructive characteristic of triplets. At the same time, most Tessar diffuser elements are assembled with the front or rear and have a blank space in the middle. It is said that the first series of Industar-23 (serial numbers starting with 00) was made of German glass, brought from Germany to the Soviet Union as reparations. You can also see the first copy of the Industar-23 assembly in the Zeiss Ikon shutter.

In this review, the lens of the first series. The “KMZ” logo does not yet have the arrow. The common people, these first lenses called "a coffin" because of the shape of the logo. In my instance, noticeable clouding of lenses in a violet-green hue reminiscent of coating. This lens has no coating. Their lenses "Industar-23" has a logo with an arrow, but also without coating, assembled in the "Moment 1" shutter of an operated camera "Moscow-2". It is likely that a camera "Moscow-3." already produced lenses with enlightenment - "Индустар-23 П." Have not accurate information, when they began to make the coating. There is also the facility "Industar-23U" (Индустар-23У) for medium format enlarger, but structurally it is quite another lens. It has a higher resolution.

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Constructive

The lens is assembled in the central shutter. On my copy does not say which one. 

In front, there focusing mechanism in the form of adjusting the distance between the front and middle of the lens. On the barrel marked the focusing distance of 1.5 m to infinity. This focus ring rotates 360 degrees. But the focusing of this mechanism is inconvenient. There is a thread M28 for the filter. The diaphragm has 10 blades. I mounted Industar-23 on Nikon D3100 digital camera using the focusing helicoid. The lens has a flange distance, such as in 9x12 format lenses. Maybe it will cover this format. Also, I recommend read How to Mount Large Format Lenses on DSLR Camera.

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Sample Photos

All examples were shooted on Nikon D3100 at wide open. The RAW export without any post-processing.

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Sharpness

If you compare Industar-23 with their peers, it has good sharpness. It is safe to call it "an eagle eye."   

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Character and Bokeh

There is a standard Tessars Bokeh. Seen doubling lines.

Distance about 1 meter

Any special artistic qualities in the picture, I did not notice, but the overall picture pleasant.

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm Contrast and Color Render

The lens has a nice color reproduction. Colors quiet, naturally. Wonderful colors in bright sunny weather.

Blue sky color render

The backlight does not tolerate. Shooting this lens, you realize how difficult it was for this year, photographers. Nevertheless, this has some charm. Sometimes, especially to let the light in the frame get the veil or style a retro photo. Examples shooting backlit: 

Summary

Industar-23 1:4,5 F=11cm is more collectible value rather than optical. But still, it is pleasant to shoot. And if you want to get pictures of the unusual, the old Industar-23 will help you.