Jupiter-12 for Kiev

Drack · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 735 Location: Lithuania

Hello,
So , recently I`ve started using my Kiev-4m and liked it very much and I have decided to buy a new lens for it. A few days ago I have found a very nice looking Jupiter-12 in a local junk shop. I can say it`s in mint condition : no scratches , fungus , everything moves freely , comes with both front and back caps ,plastic box and even purchase documents. The price is ~30$ , and I know it`s not much , but I`m not so sure about the quality of the lens. From what I`ve heard the last patch of Jupiter lenses, made in the late 70s and early 80s are not so good as the earlier one`s, is that true ? What are your opinions ?

Thanks Smile

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

did you catch the start of the serial number, as it indicates the year. For $30 though, who cares, it's worth the try and you can easily get your money out of it if you sell.

I think there are two schools of thought on this - there's the early red P school and then there's the later the better (for the coatings) school, and the standard legend is that there will be a lot of variability between samples.

I had a LTM 70s J-12 which was good, but not as good as the Kiev '57 red P I have now. I don't know if that's sample variation or an indication of general trend - I have an impression though that Kiev mount lenses tend to be 'better' than their LTM siblings. I don't know.

On the other hand I have a j-8 from the 70s which is very capable of 3d sharpness.

I say go for it! Hurry! Laughing

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

+1 what take lens and run Wink

I am RED P Russian lens collector , due quality and low price level, looking they are beauties. You can get from any years good one fore sure. All of my RED P lenses are stunning except one, so from RED P chance is pretty high to get a good one. I have good experience with non RED P lenses too , all are minimum good one , no lemon of them at all. On their price level you can buy only garbage or nothing.
I did test a few times parallel with Leica , sometimes Russian was better , sometimes good as than Leica, but never worst!

Drack · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 735 Location: Lithuania

I believe the serial number was 83xxxx. I`m not 100% sure though . Anyway I`ll go ahead and buy the lens in the upcoming week Smile

Thanks for the info Wink

WolverineX · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject:

i have kiev 4 with 3 Jupiter lenses and i just recently put the first film through it and i was actually surprised at how sharp negatives are when i developed the film
i have Jupiter 8m , Jupiter 11 and Jupiter 12 and tried them all on this film, all seem to perform quite good

Jupiter 8M - 50mm/2 serial 6518446 made by Zavod Arsenal
Jupiter 11 - 135mm/4 serial 6505358 made by KOMZ: Kazan Optical-Mechanical Factory
Jupiter 12 - 35mm/2.8 serial 6504186 made by LZOS Lytkarino Optical Glass Factory
all with russian cyrillic inscriptions

Drack · Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 735 Location: Lithuania

WolverineX · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:39 pm Post subject:

when i manage to scan the negatives i will post some results