My Jupiter-9, the first three days: some pics

pixelbart

Last monday I bought a Zenit-E and a Praktica EE2. With a Jupiter-11 and a Jupiter-9. I paid 75 Euros for it, which was about as much as I was willing to pay for the J9.

My first impression was one of disappointment. Hard to focus, very soft at f/2. But I'm getting used to it... I want to use it for concerts, so next saturday is the first real-world test.

The lens:

It's from 1971, s/n 7102313, with m42 mount.

Some pics I made this week:

In the rain. My umbrella demanded about 90% of my attention (which wouldn't be the case if I had three hands), so there wasn't much left for taking good pictures.

Same day, same rain. Clothes rack with a lot of drops.

The cat. Unknown name, unknown owner.

Today I went to a park, trying to get used to focusing because I don't want to buy an expensive focusing screen. Some shots:

f/5.6

f/2.0

Freaky bokeh

Four trees

Weeds

Berries @ f/2.8

(all pics @ f/2.0 unless mentioned otherwise)

It's not the all-round lens I hoped it would be. But It's gonna find its place in my collection.

More pics in my Jupiter-9 set on Flickr.
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Pentax *ist DL | Pentax K200D | Pentax Program A | Pentax Spotmatic SP | Pentax ME Super | Pentax SF7 | Olympus OM2 | Cosina 1000S | Ricoh Singlex TLS | Praktica EE2 | Zenit-E || Olympus Trip 35 | Olympus Trip 35 || Petri MC Macro 24mm f/2.8 KA | Takumar-A Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 KA | Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 m42 | SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 K | Pentacon (not so) Electric (anymore) 50mm f/1.8 (m42) | Domiplan 50mm f/2.8 m42 | Olympus F.Zuiko S 50mm f/1.8 OM | Auto Revuenon (Tomioka) 55mm f/1.4 | Cosinon Auto 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Auto Rikenon 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Helios-44-2 58mm f/2 m42 | Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 (1971) m42 | Auto Petri 135mm f/2.8 m42 | Hi-Q 135mm f/3.5 T2/m42 | Jupiter-11 135mm f/4 m42 | Jupiter-11A 135mm f/4 m42 | Takumar-A Zoom 70-200mm f/4 KA | RMC Tokina 70-210 f/3.5 K (same as Vivitar Series 1 model 2) | Sun Auto Zoom 85-210mm f/4.8 m42(ish) | Kenlock 500mm f/8 T2/m42 || Weltblick auto 2x tele converter m42

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 907 Location: Argentina

Nice pics!!

The J9 seems to me OK for the job. Not so sharp? May be, but I like the pics with it.

Enjoy. Rino
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M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

pixelbart · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

It is sharp, but it's hard to focus on the standard focusing screens of my Pentax dSLR's and the out-of-focus areas are something to get used to. Sometimes something looks sharp with a strange flare of softness around it, while it is just plain unsharp. Or it looks absolutely sharp in the viewfinder while it isn't on the photo. I have to figure out what happens exactly.

I know that the J9 is quite popular with concert photographers, but I have yet to see how my non-MC version is going to behave. But on the other hand, I've shot a whole festival last weekend with my Jupiter-11A, which also has no coating to speak of and I had no problems at all.
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Pentax *ist DL | Pentax K200D | Pentax Program A | Pentax Spotmatic SP | Pentax ME Super | Pentax SF7 | Olympus OM2 | Cosina 1000S | Ricoh Singlex TLS | Praktica EE2 | Zenit-E || Olympus Trip 35 | Olympus Trip 35 || Petri MC Macro 24mm f/2.8 KA | Takumar-A Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 KA | Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 m42 | SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 K | Pentacon (not so) Electric (anymore) 50mm f/1.8 (m42) | Domiplan 50mm f/2.8 m42 | Olympus F.Zuiko S 50mm f/1.8 OM | Auto Revuenon (Tomioka) 55mm f/1.4 | Cosinon Auto 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Auto Rikenon 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Helios-44-2 58mm f/2 m42 | Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 (1971) m42 | Auto Petri 135mm f/2.8 m42 | Hi-Q 135mm f/3.5 T2/m42 | Jupiter-11 135mm f/4 m42 | Jupiter-11A 135mm f/4 m42 | Takumar-A Zoom 70-200mm f/4 KA | RMC Tokina 70-210 f/3.5 K (same as Vivitar Series 1 model 2) | Sun Auto Zoom 85-210mm f/4.8 m42(ish) | Kenlock 500mm f/8 T2/m42 || Weltblick auto 2x tele converter m42

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 126 Location: Philippines

i use an el-cheapo focusing screen from Virtual Village.

it's inaccurate so i shimmed it with sticky tape Embarassed

seems to be OK now... but the J-9 does have strange, unpredictable flare... like this...

i have a late-80s/early-90s multicoated version. have to say the CZJ 135/3.5 is much more well-behaved (and predictable!) lens but its only f/3.5 and is quite a bit longer (200mm EFL vs 135mm EFL). but the J-9 doesn't behave well wide-open so maybe the f/2 is not really that useful..
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Pentax K10D
Pentax: SMC-A 50/2, SMC-M 135/3.5, Takumar-A 70-200/4, SMC-DA 16-45/4 ED AL, Super-Tak 35/3.5, Super-Tak 50/1.4, Auto-Tak 135/3.5
Other: 37/2.8 Mir-1b, 55/2.2 Fujinon, 85/2 Jupiter-9, 135/3.5 CZ Jena

Attila · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 17754 Location: Budapest,Hungary

Use this lens for what is designed FOR PORTRAIT! I am sure you will love it, wide open softness very good for portraits if need more sharp at F4 tack sharp. Give it a more practice , this is a very nice lens. I like your result especially the green grass.
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Olympus E-1,Bessa L,Bessa RF Skopar 10,5cm,Besa I Color Skopar 105mm,Olympus OM2n,Nikon FA,Yashica Eletro 35 GN,
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Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon: 3.5/20mm,2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,1.2/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/105mm,2.5/105mm,4/200mm macro,4.5/300mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,1.4/50mm,3.5/55mm macro,2.8/135mm,2/90mm macro,35-70mm,60-250mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro Elmar,2.8/90 Elmarit last version
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Puplet · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 378

Keep practising! It's a great lens - like you said, maybe not the sharpest, but you start looking for pictures that look better taken with a J9.

patrickh · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 3659 Location: Oregon

I go with the last two comments - keep going it is a lens that will reward you at the right times

patrickh
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DSLR: Nikon D70 Nikon D200 Canon 40D
MF Zooms: Kiron 28-85/3.5, 28-105/3.2, 75-150/3.5, Nikkor 50-135/3.5 AIS // MF Primes: Nikkor 20/4 AI, 24/2 AI, 28/2 AI, 28/2.8 AIS, 28/3.5 AI, 35/1.4 AIS, 35/2 AIS, 35/2.8 PC, 45/2.8 P, 50/1.4 AIS, 50/1.8 AIS, 50/2 AI, 55/2.8 AIS micro, 55/3.5 AI micro, 85/2 AI, 100/2,8 E, 105/1,8 AIS, 105/2,5 AIS, 135/2 AIS, 135/2.8 AIS, Nikkor 200/4 AI, 200/4 AIS micro, 3004.5 AI, 300/4.5 AI ED, Kiron 28/2 Panagor 135/2.8, Tamron 28/2.5, Tamron 90/2.5 macro, Vivitar 90/2.5 macro (Tokina) Voigtlander 90/3.5 Vivitar 105/2.5 macro (Kiron) Kaleinar 100/2.8 AI Tamron 135/2.5, Vivitar 135/2.8CF, 200/3.5, Tokina 400/5,6
M42: Vivitar 28/2.5, Flektogon 35/2.4, Takumar 35/3.5, Curtagon 35/4, Arsat 50/1.4, Volna-6 50/2.8 macro,Mamiya 50/1.4, CZJ Pancolar 50/1,8, Oreston 50/1.8, Industar 50/3.5, Sears 55/1.4, Helios 58/2, Jupiter 85/2, Helios 85/1.5, Jupiter 135/4, Jupiter 135/3.5, Takumar 135/3.5, Tair 135/2.8, Takumar 150/4, Jupiter 200/4
Exakta: Topcon 100/2.8, 35/2.8
C/Y: Yashica 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8
P6 : Mir 38 65/3.5, Biometar 80/2.8, Kaleinar 150/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8

Ballu · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

Till I bought Leica 90/2.8, I used to like the bokeh of this lens..
But this lens fails miserably in harsh background situation..

I think, this lens is designed with 16 blade aperture to hide its optical deficiencies... Wink

Without any harh background.. its really a WOW lens... I am able to get my best shots with this lens only..

http://flickr.com/photos/asbalyan/sets/72157600043335133/

learn the weakness of this lens (flare and bokeh in particular situations)... enjoy the lens...

(But its really overpriced now in the market... Last week I was offered Nikkor 85mm f1.8 for $80 with very small dust particle... and Jupiters are going for $125... crazy prices)
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-Ballu
http://balyanpage.blogspot.com/

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 907 Location: Argentina

BALLU

The elmarit R is a great lens, of course, but if you want to have the best in leica line, sure you know that the M is the line. Summilux 75/1,4 and/or Summicron 90/2 apo - may be the elmarit 90/2,8 short too- I recomended them a lot. If you can, get one.

Good luck. Rino.
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M42: tak 3,5/28
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Fuji: , 1,8/55, 1,4 50, 2.2/55, 4/85
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

trifox · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 649 Location: UK

perfect!!! when the proper disatnce is kept - what was by you - this lens is superb...! Smile

thanks for your post!

my finding -

jup 9 is perfect for fine textures! especially clothes - and also for flowers... Smile

)

tf

Riku · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 585 Location: Finland

pixelbart · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:13 am Post subject:

thanks for the comments Smile

I'm slowly but surely discovering that this is a lens with character, a lens that has to grow on you, not just something that fills the gap between 50mm and 135mm.

I think I'm gonna love it. Tonight I'm only taking this lens with me, I'll see how it performs in low light at a metal/punk concert. I'll post the pics here tomorrow Smile

Oh and btw, Leica does not exist for me. I simply don't have the money, and even if I did, I still wouldn't buy one.
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Pentax *ist DL | Pentax K200D | Pentax Program A | Pentax Spotmatic SP | Pentax ME Super | Pentax SF7 | Olympus OM2 | Cosina 1000S | Ricoh Singlex TLS | Praktica EE2 | Zenit-E || Olympus Trip 35 | Olympus Trip 35 || Petri MC Macro 24mm f/2.8 KA | Takumar-A Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 KA | Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 m42 | SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 K | Pentacon (not so) Electric (anymore) 50mm f/1.8 (m42) | Domiplan 50mm f/2.8 m42 | Olympus F.Zuiko S 50mm f/1.8 OM | Auto Revuenon (Tomioka) 55mm f/1.4 | Cosinon Auto 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Auto Rikenon 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Helios-44-2 58mm f/2 m42 | Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 (1971) m42 | Auto Petri 135mm f/2.8 m42 | Hi-Q 135mm f/3.5 T2/m42 | Jupiter-11 135mm f/4 m42 | Jupiter-11A 135mm f/4 m42 | Takumar-A Zoom 70-200mm f/4 KA | RMC Tokina 70-210 f/3.5 K (same as Vivitar Series 1 model 2) | Sun Auto Zoom 85-210mm f/4.8 m42(ish) | Kenlock 500mm f/8 T2/m42 || Weltblick auto 2x tele converter m42

pixelbart · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

My J9 passed the final test. It's a keeper Smile

I also did some shots with my Super Takumar 50mm, of course that was a lot easier because I just see stages with my mind in 50mm mode, but this lens is pretty nice for a lot of shots Smile

. Focusing is hard, but easier than I thought. I like the combination of my Pentax K200d's shake reduction and the J9's bokeh (last pic) Smile

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Pentax *ist DL | Pentax K200D | Pentax Program A | Pentax Spotmatic SP | Pentax ME Super | Pentax SF7 | Olympus OM2 | Cosina 1000S | Ricoh Singlex TLS | Praktica EE2 | Zenit-E || Olympus Trip 35 | Olympus Trip 35 || Petri MC Macro 24mm f/2.8 KA | Takumar-A Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 KA | Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 m42 | SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 K | Pentacon (not so) Electric (anymore) 50mm f/1.8 (m42) | Domiplan 50mm f/2.8 m42 | Olympus F.Zuiko S 50mm f/1.8 OM | Auto Revuenon (Tomioka) 55mm f/1.4 | Cosinon Auto 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Auto Rikenon 55mm f/2.8 m42 | Helios-44-2 58mm f/2 m42 | Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 (1971) m42 | Auto Petri 135mm f/2.8 m42 | Hi-Q 135mm f/3.5 T2/m42 | Jupiter-11 135mm f/4 m42 | Jupiter-11A 135mm f/4 m42 | Takumar-A Zoom 70-200mm f/4 KA | RMC Tokina 70-210 f/3.5 K (same as Vivitar Series 1 model 2) | Sun Auto Zoom 85-210mm f/4.8 m42(ish) | Kenlock 500mm f/8 T2/m42 || Weltblick auto 2x tele converter m42