An interesting Helios 40 vs Jupiter 9 comparision

[pulatom]

I found that page a while ago and I think it's worth reading if you're interested in these lenses. It's originally in French, I don't know if the translation is accurate, but there are lots of pics there anyway

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monuniverspentax.com%2Ftest_helios_jupiter%2Ftest_helios_jupiter.html

[Kram]

Thanks for that, pulatom. Good read. I like them both but the Jupiter is more affordale, maybe because it does not eat bread!

[LucisPictor]

Thanks for the link.
The problem with comparisons like this one is that the "testers" normally only have ONE copy of each lens. So, what if his copy of the Helios was a particularly good one and his copy of the Jupiter was a lemon?

It might be that the Helios is better but I don't think that my J9 behaves as badly as that tester's one. And I perfer the J9 because of its size and weight as well.

[themoleman342]

Jupiter 9s are known to have fairly wide-ranging copy variance. It is certainly plausible that this tester had a poor copy. Many people, including myself, have found the older chrome m39 copies to be sharper. This is true especially wide open.

The performance difference between my Helios 40 and Helios 40-2 is hard to nail down. I can really only tell them apart if used with color film, as the 40 has a slight yellow cast. I would imagine that because this was designed as a sort of "elite-class" portrait lens and because production numbers were smaller when compared to the Jupiter 9 that quality control was just a bit better.

They have completely different signatures when used wide open. I think anyone would prefer the size and weight of the jupiter but you're looking for the Helios swirl, you won't get it.

[pulatom]

I personally use J9 most of the time, and switch to Helios (well, Cyclop actually) only when I have a taste for some swirl . J9 is lighter and smaller, so it's better for "normal" shoots .

[valli]

Interesting test, I'm glad there are alternatives to the Helios, now that it costs so much to get it.

Speaking of swirl, am I right in thinking that the Helios 44-x 58/2 produces a similar bokeh swirl? It's a much cheaper alternative especially if used with an APS-C sensor.

[Joosep]

[BRunner]

I've tried already about five Jupiters-9. The copy in test looks like true lemon in comparison to some of the better copies of J9.

[martinsmith99]

Not a bad article. Shame that the H40 is now stupid money.