Tessar Battle: Industar 50mm f3.5 vs Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 5cm f3.5

These two lenses are very small, but the Industar 50mm f3.5 is even smaller than the CZJ 5cm f3.5.  It's tiny!  Both lenses are based on the same optical design and have same maximum aperture of f3.5 and both have circular aperture.  The Russian lens is in M42 mount while the German lens is Exakta.  I used both only a couple of times so I really don't have much experience with them yet, but I like the pictures from them.

I believe these lenses were first designed as rangefinder lenses and later added other mounts, but that doesn't matter.  Let's look at how they perform against each other.  Please note that this is a very UNSCIENTIFIC test.  No tripod, no cable release.  All pictures were shot handheld with the optional viewfinder on the NEX-5N.  So, take everything with a pinch of salt.

Industar 50mm f3.5 on the left, CZJ Tessar 5cm f3.5 on the right.

Getting Close Wide Open

The Industar 50mm f3.5 has a minimum focus distance of 0.65m, while the CZJ 5cm f3.5 has 0.7m.  So close we can ignore the difference.  Not a lens for close-ups for sure.

The pictures below are processed identically, and shown at 100% crop. You can see the colour is slightly warmer and more intense on the Industar.  I think it's a tiny bit sharper too.

Bokeh - Who has the the prettier picture?

Before the test, I assume the bokeh would be similar to both lenses, since they share the same design and have circular apertures.  I think they are pretty close, but you be the judge.

CZJ 5cm f3.5 @ f3.5

Industar 50mm f3.5 @ f3.5

Sharpness - Who Wins?

Most people's main criteria when looking for a lens, but there is more to a lens than just sharpness.  In any case, the Industar seems like the sharper one at the same aperture, just by a hair, but noticeable.

Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f3.5 @ f8. Click for 100% crop.

Industar 50mm f3.5 @ f8. Click for 100% crop.

No doubt the Carl Zeiss Jena is better build and feels nicer in the hand and is focuses smoother.  But, both lenses are so close image quality.

Pink Bicycle Bell

Pink Bell -- NEX-5 & Industar 50mm f3.5 @ f3.5. Click to see larger.

Over the years, I have had a few Russian lenses.  Most of them were copies of the Zeiss designer, such as the 85mm f2 (Sonnar) and 58mm f2 (Biotar).  The Industar 50mm f3.5 is a tiny pancake lenses that I picked up at the Photo Show on the weekend.  This lens is a copy of the Tessar design and produces surprisingly good and pleasing pictures.  As with most Tessar lenses, this on is sharp wide open and very sharp stopped down.

If you are looking for that Zeiss look, but don't want to pay through the nose, these old Russian lenses are good alternatives.