Fed macro on A7.

Printed from: USSRPhoto Forums

Topic URL: http://localhost:8088/modern/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3203

Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:41:37 PM

Topic

Topic author: Jacques M.

Posted on: 20170707073335

Hello,

A photo made with my prewar macro Fed. Not easy: sure this lens was not a daily one...

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/772017_DSC00222.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/772017_DSC00222.JPG

Of course, the result is soft. But at minimum distance, it's difficult to focus correctly. Other photos to come, when there is less wind here.

Amitiés. Jacques.

Replies

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170708152035

Another one, better, I think.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/872017_DSC00228.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/872017_DSC00228.JPG

Not so bad. But I really wonder how it was possible to use such a lens in the thirties, without rangefinder, of course, and with a very limited depth of field...

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170709152512

Good question. I never thought about that. I'm used to all those Leica macro equipment and I never thought there is no equivalent in FED equipment.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180108081527

Always with a Fed macro "rigid":

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/812018_DSC00328.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/812018_DSC00328.JPG

Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180108162915

I love cats. I grew up with cats.
A very nice photo and a very nice cat. And horrible lens. [;)]

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180109051723

Not so horrible, in fact, even if sharpness is not its main quality. But when using the magnifying on the nose, it's not so bad... Anyway, my other Fed macro lens is worse!

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180114095010

Here sharpness is OK. But contrast is poor.

Reply author: seany65

Replied on: 20180115174329

That cat looks like it's thinking "Another inch closer with that thing and I'll rip your head off!"

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180118095559

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by seany65
 That cat looks like it's thinking "Another inch closer with that thing and I'll rip your head off!"
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha, ha!

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180118112538

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Alfa2
 Here sharpness is OK. But contrast is poor.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think you are a bit severe with our old things, Alfa.
Of course, contrast is poor. But my cat itself is not very contrasted (!) and the light was low. When I have time, I will take some photos with a prewar Elmar on a NOOKY to compare.

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180118142957

Jacques, you're right on one hand but on the other hand - just please lok below.

Now I don't have any cat but I can show you a photo made with non coated Elmar 5cm f/3.5 in 2016. I mounted it on NEX 5N.
Contrast seems to be better.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1812018_karnity.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1812018_karnity.jpg

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180208085146

It's of course not possible to compare photos made in different conditions.
That said, you are right, alfa. I made some photos with a prewar Elmar and an appropriate ring of 5 cm. No doubt: the contrast is much better.

So, as I never desert, I have bought another macro Fed lens. That time, photos are much better. The cat you have already seen, but with the "new" macro Fed:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/822018_DSC00375.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/822018_DSC00375.JPG

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180208090100

My wife's stuff (focus on the paper, in the middle):

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/822018_DSC00371.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/822018_DSC00371.JPG

The lens is really very clear, without that common "milky" haze. I'll have to try it outside.

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180208152723

And a last one with a small part of my own stuff:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/822018_DSC00372.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/822018_DSC00372.JPG

With a A7, it's possible to avoid the image of the diaphragm, when the light is too straight. I think that this macro Fed could be a very good common lens on a numerics. The second life for that lens which certainly never knew its first one?

Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180209124018

Thank you for nice photos. [:)]

Now I'm a little bit surprised.
Your "new" macro FED lens is really good.
I have tested on digital cameras and on film a few standard Industar 10 lenses made for FED NKVD. Sharpness was very starnge. Photos seemed to be sharp and not sharp simultaneously. Contrast was good at some of lenses while it was pour at other of them.
But here your lens is sharp and contrasted.

Congratulationen Jacques.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180210153042

Thanks, Alfa.
No doubt the lens was cleaned: there are some light traces of demontage.
But I had not expected such results which are better than my prewar Elmar's. For me, these early Fed lenses were only for collection...

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180211080044

The same macro lens for an outdoor photo. The sun is poor, here...

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1122018_DSC00383.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1122018_DSC00383.JPG

No real difference with those taken by my prewar 3,5/50mm Fed lenses.

Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180211145326

Yes, it's good lens.
Jacques, do you have any photos taken with prewar 3,5/50mm Fed lenses ?
Could you share some of them ?

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180214035449

As soon as I can, Alfa. In a separate thread, so that we can compare the results of different 3,5/50mm lenses.[:)]

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20180214045106

Great.
I thought about the same thing, I mean to create separate thread to compare the results of different 3,5/50mm lenses.