Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61 – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X100F
Part 1 – Helios 44-2 Part 2 – Jupiter 21M
The Industar 61 is another vintage Soviet Union lens that I’ve paired with my Fujifilm X-A3. This lens came attached to a FED 5c 35mm rangefinder that I purchased for $40 a decade ago. I really appreciate the photographs that I’ve captured with it on the film camera. I used to also pair it frequently with an X-E1 that I once owned. It’s an excellent lens with plenty of character.
My Industar 61 was made in 1983. It has an M39 screw mount (some were made with a M42 screw mount) and a focal length of 55mm (some versions have slightly different focal lengths). Because of the crop factor, it has an equivalent focal length of about 82mm on the X-A3. Even though it was intended as a “standard” lens it’s more of a “portrait” lens on the Fujifilm camera. The maximum aperture is f/2.8.
This lens is a German knockoff. It’s basically a modified Leitz Elmar 50mm f/2.8. It is very sharp but with some significant pincushion distortion. It’s known for “soap bubble” bokeh, which is highly sought after by some photographers. There is a radioactive coating on the lens, and that might frighten some people, but it’s safe to be around, since only a tiny amount of Lanthanum was used in the production. I find that it delivers a slightly warmer tone than other lenses, even on digital cameras.
What’s great about pairing the Industar 61 with the X-A3 is that it’s a small and lightweight setup. The lens is smaller than the kit lens that came with the camera. It sticks out about as far as the X100F lens does with a lens hood. It can fit into a large pocket. I’ve carried the X100F in one jacket pocket and the X-A3 with the Industar 61 in the other. It’s great for travel or street photography.
You can find Industar 61 lenses for next to nothing (and the adapters are usually about $10), and for very little money you can add a quality manual-focus prime lens to your camera. No doubt about it, I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of this lens and then some. While the Industar 61 isn’t my favorite lens to attach to my X-A3, it’s still a good lens that certainly has its place.
Patio Lights – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
Red Knobs – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
Be Careful – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
Industrial Patriots – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
Coffee & Paper – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
To Go Cup – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
9 – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
SP & UP Railroad – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Industar 61
I just wanted to say that I love your posts about vintage lenses. My first gen X100 has finally given up the ghost, and your blog helped me to decide to pick up an X-A5 to replace it. (I also appreciated your post with a comparison to the Sigma DP2m, although I’m not sure I agree with you that the two lenses are as close as you mention. One of my goals is to eventually pick up a DP2m just to use as a monochrome technical camera; an old co-worker of mine used to have one, and the monochrome mode in Sigma’s software combined with that sensor is just so, so good, the excruciating slowness notwithstanding.)
I think you’ll like the X-A5, it’s a good option that is overlooked in the Fujifilm lineup. The DP2M is both the best and worst camera I’ve ever owned. I miss it sometimes. Thanks for commenting!
Great write up! Do you find the Industar 61 focuses to infinity? Mine does, but not at the infinity mark on the lens – just before, and if you focus further until ‘the end’ it goes out of focus. Same with my Industar 26m. Using a K&F M39-FX adapter.
Yes, my Industar lens focuses past infinity. It’s strange, but the lens works fine otherwise.
Very interessant review and nice shots ! Thank you.
Could you tell me please what is the filter diameter on this lens ?
The filter thread size is 40.5mm. I believe that there might be a couple variations of the Industar 61 that have a different filter thread size, but most are 40.5mm.
Thank you !
I think I’ll find one…