Instrument version of the lens FS-2 300 / 4.5, a review from the reader Radozhiva

View of the lens FS-2 300 / 4.5, examples of photos from it, and the review itself specifically for Radozhiva, prepared Rodion Eshmakov.

Appearance of FS-2 300 / 4.5

Appearance of FS-2 300 / 4.5

The lens is kindly provided by an antique shop for review and a small TO.

Characteristics of FS-2:
Optical design: 3 elements in three groups (future “Tair” design);
Resolution (center / edge, on an AM type film): 25/12 lines / mm;
Light transmittance: 0,82;
Field of view angle (APS format): 8 degrees;
Aperture Limits: F / 4.5-F / 16
Aperture design: 16 blade, without preset mechanism, without matte blacking. Switches one stop with clicks.
Filter thread: 71 * 1 mm
Mounting to the camera: M46 * 0,75 (this sample), the working segment is 47,8 mm (according to zenitcamera.com - it clearly does not coincide with the segment of the sample from the review)
Lens weight: 1150 g.

Development History and Design Features of FS-2

FS-2, which is sometimes referred to incorrectly "Tair-2”(Then there was no such name yet), was developed in 1943 by the Soviet optician D. S. Volosov and was originally intended for military photo reconnaissance. In fact "FS-2»- originally the name of the entire set, which consisted of a special camera FED, a wooden stock, a mirror attachment and a GOI lens (or FS-2 - at KMZ) 300 / 4.5.

Set FS-2 for photo reconnaissance

Set FS-2 for photo reconnaissance

At the end of the war, the lens was launched at KOMZ in the version for photo reconnaissance and for photocontrol devices (according to the lens-club, they were used on MiG-21 aircraft).

The review presents exactly the instrument version of the lens.

It is difficult to install what the original equipment of this FS-2 version was, but the test sample consists of the FS-2 lens unit with a diaphragm, a simple factory-made focusing mechanism with a thread for attaching M42 * 1 to the camera, a simple eyepiece with an M42 * 1 "mother" thread ... In addition, there is an orange filter OS-12, which serves to enhance contrast and suppress chromatism in black and white photography.

FS-2, filter and eyepiece

FS-2, filter and eyepiece

FS-2 disassembled

FS-2 disassembled

Apparently, the focusing mechanism and the eyepiece of the lens are not native.

Due to its initial non-use for conventional cameras, the FS-2 does not have such convenient devices as a tripod mount and aperture preset mechanism. Even the focusing mechanism of handicraft production is clearly not designed for the active use of the lens for photography. Of the advantages of such a simple design, it can be noted less than Tair-3, weight - 1,2 kg. But is this a plus?

Like most old lenses, the FS-2 has a circular aperture with sixteen petals. Unfortunately, the petals, although dark, still shine:

Aperture FS-2

Aperture FS-2

The inside of the lens also shines - blacking is unsatisfactory.

In general, the constructive version of the instrument version of the FS-2 is unsuccessful, it is not well adapted for ordinary shooting.

Optical properties of the lens FS-2

FS-2 is in many ways similar to its younger brother - Tair-3. But, because FS-2 is much older, it is optically weaker: sharpness is not enough on an open aperture, good sharpness starts with F / 8.

F / 4.5

F / 4.5

F / 8

F / 8

The contrast of the FS-2 is very sluggish - it does not save single-layer enlightenment (typical for the 50s, similar to the coating KO-120), it does not have a hood, and the insides are poorly blackened.

The color rendition is noticeably shifted to the green-yellow gamut - “bottle glass”.

All this spoils the impression of the lens, although it is obvious that contrast is quite profitable (cleaning inside and blackening will save), colors are corrected in the editor, and sharpness ... Close the aperture for it.

This is how the lens behaves in comparison with the Tair-3A (open aperture, both without a hood, images without processing, conversion from RAW):

FS-2

FS-2

Tair-3A

Tair-3A

FS-2

FS-2

Tair-3A

Tair-3A

It is clearly seen that there are no differences in the drawing, but in contrast and color the differences are great.

Having to the lens filter OS-12It’s a sin not to try it out in black and white photography (camera jpeg, “Monochrome” mode, contrast added):

Water Mosquito

Water Mosquito

Chamomile

Chamomile

Sparrow

Sparrow

It seemed to me that with the filter, the sharpness of the lens is better, although I did not conduct any special tests.

Color photographs are in many ways similar to photographs from Tair-3, most of them were shot at F / 8, all photographs were processed (contrast, light, shadow). Aberrations are not corrected.

Ah, the lens still has an eyepiece! It is worth saying that during visual observation through it there is a strong cushion distortion, the picture is low-contrast, but distinctly sharp. Tair-3A with a cheap eyepiece with FR = 10mm copes much better with visual observations. But, again, this lens is also used by astronomers as a guide for astrophotography.

Conclusions

FS-2 is an interesting and non-standard old lens. It does not have good optical quality, initially poorly adapted for photography. I do not recommend using it as a three-hundredth television, only if for free :). FS-2 would have shown itself well in a museum or collection as one of the important stages in the development of Soviet optics.

You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.

Add a comment: Alexey

 

 

Comments: 13, on the topic: Instrument version of the lens FS-2 300 / 4.5, a review from the reader Radozhiva

  • Noa

    Thanks for the article, it was interesting to read.
    The convenience lens is worthless. But how nice it is sometimes to get a good result on something antique)

  • Michael

    Yes, the lens is tin, even at f / 8. Thank you for the article, it was interesting to read about the history of the TAIR brand

  • photo shooter

    thanks! interesting!

  • Alexey

    Thank you interesting

  • zengarden

    But once they shot it and did not complain :) Thanks for the review, Rodion.

    • Rodion

      In b / w with a filter, it’s even nothing

    • Ivan

      It was with this lens that, if they were filmed, then the position of a potential enemy from the plane of the aircraft, since this version, apparently, was intended for aerial photography - a filter without an external thread, no focuser - it can be assumed that the lens was one-time tuned to hyperfocal and focusing on other the distance was not supposed, well, the fact that such lenses are endless starts from 30-40m, suggests their purpose for aerial photography
      I agree with the conclusions on the lens - the picture is similar to tiers 3, but it is suitable only for the collection - tiers 3a and 3c are more practical, and the picture is more pleasant

  • Sergei

    Thank you very much, I learned a lot of interesting things ... good reviews and good photos

  • Rodion

    We will still try to find something interesting)
    But while there seems to be nothing on the horizon)

  • Ilyas

    At most there is Tair-3FS white enameled with a butt. I redid the butt, now the trigger works on the canon .. beauty!

  • GILERA

    I have two such lenses fS-2, both with their own orange light filters and both in excellent condition of the optics and body. It is strange that on one the diaphragm moves smoothly, and on the other there is a special mechanism for jumping. And outwardly they are slightly different. In general, they are the same. The one that with a smooth movement of the diaphragm is converted into a telescope with an extension to a focal length and an eyepiece from some military equipment with a leather eyecup. I don't use them in any way - just good museum items 0 no more.

  • Vadim

    A good review, but I completely disagree with the author about comparing the sharpness of FS-2 and Tair-3.
    I had two Tair-3s of various modifications and three FS-2s in my collection, the conclusion is: I won’t buy Tairs-3 again, only if they give it away for free. FS-2 left one for himself, with a helicoid and a shank under M42, FS-2 yellows the image, BUT !, it is SIGNIFICANTLY sharper than Tair-3! This is the first, and the second - it’s completely impossible to put a converter on Tair-3 - it’s just that the helicoid thread is already ending, but there is still no sharpness, but it’s quite possible to put it on FS-2, maybe this is due to the fact that the helicoid is homemade, with a large stroke, and not a factory one, as on Tair-3.

    • Rodion

      The review provides specific examples of photographs for comparing two lenses. Perhaps I have a very good Tair-3 or not a very good FS-2. Give your comparisons and give information about the Tair lenses with which you compared.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2016/07/fs-2-300mm-f4-5/?replytocom=122612

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2016/07/fs-2-300mm-f4-5/?replytocom=122612