Industar-29 2.8/80 Review

Industar-29 f/2.8 80 mm (Russian name “Индустар-29″) is a standard lens for medium format camera “Salute.” Made in USSR, produced from 1957 through 1973, in the “Arsenal” Kyiv factory.

Since 1973, the camera “Salute” change the camera “Salyut-C,” with the lens Vega 12 2.8/90.

The lens has a bayonet “V” mount (Hallesblad mount analog); you can use the Hasselblad-Nikon F adapter for mount on a modern DSLR camera.

The lens optical design is “Tessar.” Rumor has it that Industar-29 is a copy of Carl Zeiss Tessar 2.8/80. But as said collector friend, “apparently not very successful.”

Industar-29 2.8/80 Specs

Focal length: 80 mm
Aperture: f/ 2.8 — f/ 22
Weight (gr/oz): 340 / 12
Length (mm/in): 62 / 2,4
Filter Ø (mm.): 58
Aperture blades: 11
Min. focus distance (m.): 0.9

Industar-29 2.8/80 Handling and Mechanics

The lens has a chrome metal barrel that is different from the modern and stands out on the camera, looks stylish. Build quality is good. The front lens is deeply planted, which reduces the flare and the amount of stray light.

The aperture switching mechanism unusual and uncomfortable.

Industar-29 2.8/80 Sample Photos

All samples were taken on Nikon D3100 Camera. RAW export, minimal exposure correction

Industar-29 2.8/80 Sharpness

A wide-open aperture lens is very glowed due to the spherical aberration. And from aperture f/4 image comes back to normal.

f/ 2.8

100% Crop of the previous photo

The lens has low resolution, only 25/10 lines/mm (center/edge); on the 35mm format, we have 25 lines on all frames.

f/ 4

Therefore, a high sharpness of it is not worth waiting, even to closes apertures. But in this and its advantage. Portraits obtained plastic without harshness and dryness.

Industar-29 2.8/80 Character and Bokeh

The lens is interesting for its design, a classic Tessar. Nice character.

f/ 4

Thanks to 11 aperture blades, beautiful bokeh even to cover the apertures. Especially beautiful are obtained with the 22-corner stars from the night lights.

f/ 4

f/ 5.6

Industar-29 2.8/80 Contrast and Color Rendering

The lens has good contrast. It singles coated.

f/ 5.6

Color reproduction is good. The colors are natural, vivid.

f/ 5.6

The aperture blades shiny, brass, and gives yellowness. It’s a bit much in photographs taken on a sunny day.

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

Summary
Industar-29 2.8/80 is now more collectible value rather than optical. Will be interesting creative people who are not deterred by the spherical aberration and low sharpness.

Perform an interesting, individual image. He does not belong to the lens “for all occasions” and certain subjects and creative ideas.

f/ 4