The Westar lens works, sort of

[Beaker]

I finally got the ISCO lens apart and fixed the focus problem.
Couldn't get into the iris mechanism, so I ignored it.

The lens has some fungus marks in it. I think that is what is giving the
misty, old-fashioned look. It isn't a lens for everyday use, but it will
make a nice special-purpose lens.

It has an aluminum body. The lens is marked "JSCO", instead of "ISCO".
Scott posted that using a "J" instead of an "I" died out after WWII,  
so I'm
guessing this lens was made just after WWII. (When was the M42 mount
introduced?)

Its first pictures on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62343763@N00/sets/72157600588847029/

I did a little experimentation with B&W conversions with Lightroom.
Let me know what you think- comments and criticisms are welcome!

Cheers
Mike



On Apr 17, 2007, at 9:58 AM, P. J. Alling wrote:


> ISCO is a German manufacture of precision lenses.  They made a lot of
> well respected of lenses for the Exacta, and later varying quality
> lenses in M42 mount.  The quality seems to run from just awful to
> excellent, with build quality in the same range depending on era.   I
> don't know if yours is one of the newer plastic body .lenses or an  
> older
> machined metal version, but I doubt it's worth repairing.  It probably
> isn't all that rare and thought there are really very few 50mm lenses
> optically terrible it's unlikely to be a sterling performer after  
> fungus
> removal.
>
> Beaker wrote:
>
>> Hi-
>>
>> What is the reputation of JSCO-GOTTINGEN?
>>
>> I just bought a Westar 50mm, f2.8 lens, in M-42 mount, on e-bay. For
>> $12.00, including shipping. Was curious about the lens, and he price
>> was right.
>>
>> It arrived today, and I'm glad that is all I paid. Dosn't look like
>> it is coated, it has traces of fungus, the iris is stiff, and focus
>> isn't very smooth. Unless it is valuable enough to send out for
>> repair, I think I'll use it as my first attempt at lens repair.
>>
>> Any favorite web pages that deal with lens repair?
>>
>> Thanks for your help,
>> Mike Beacom
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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