1957 KMZ Jupiter-8 2/50 M39 on NEX-3

[iangreenhalgh1]

I found this lens in my drawer, forgot I had it, and it's in mint condition, looks like it was never used.

Performance is great, same as my other 1950's J8s. Gotta love a Sonnar! Was a real pleasure to use this lens after my tribulations with that crappy Chinon 1.4/55.

No PP on these, just resize for web.

#1 f4

#2 f8

#3 f2.8

#4 f2

#5 f2.8

[iangreenhalgh1]

Some stitched images, these are either 16 or 24 shot stitches, so beaucoup megapixels. The old Church hall has started to collapse, the top of the gable end collapsed yesterday, sadly this is what is happening to all the large buildings in Millom.


#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

[Attila]

Way to go ... great images!

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers, we have such nice light here at the moment, which makes things much easier.

[mfman]

Excellent images. I like how this lens renders colors.

I have a J8 made in '56, but it's in average condition. Focusing with it is quite a pain but I still use it more than any other lens.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers, I have a lot of 50mm lenses but the humble J8 remains one of my very favourite.

I have a 55 or 56 that's been though the wars, it shoots as well as this one,but the focus is pretty stiff, I never got round to relubing it, I really should do.

[skida]

Cracking shots, Ian, that really show off the qualities of this lens.

Sadly, I went through my drawers today and only found a left sock I had forgotten about.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers Skida.

If you have a mirrorless or a M39 rangefinder to put the J8 on, you can have my other copy, which is ratty looking but soots just as well as this mint one.

[pdccameras]

HI Ian,

I have a J8 M39 in black, like this one (not my listing or photos):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jupiter-8-2-50-mm-No-7544952-for-M39-/251305102955?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3a82f38e6b


Unfortunately my copy has some tenacious fungus that has etched the coatings. Despite the fungi, it still shoots very nicely, but I would like to replace it. What is the consensus as to the best of the J8 M39 versions?

Thanks for any help,

Paul

P.S.: great shots with your copy, by the way!

[Attila]

Made before 1960 and issue free, not many small marks on front, countable marks usually not harm.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers Paul. What Attila says is spot-on, I have 4 1950s copies of the J8, two in Contax/Kiev, two in M39, they all shoot the same - wonderfully well.

I've had two copies of the later J8M, one was 1968, the other 1971, they weren't as good, a little less sharp, a little less contrasty. The only improvement they made to the M is click stops for the aperture.

[pdccameras]

Thanks for the info Attila and Ian, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Soviet gear. Princelle is the definitive reference source, correct?

I really like the way my copy shoots, fungus and all. I also like the feel of this particular black version - fits nicely on the NEX!

I have cleaned what I can of the fungus with a 50/50 mix of Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia, but sadly the front coating has been etched. As both of you point out, I am certain the etching won't produce many ill effects, but sometimes I wonder if spores could spread to other lenses!

All the best,

Paul

[Attila]

Your wellcome! I use sovietcams.com as bible , until you store your lenses properly don't have to worry about fungus, spores are every where in air, once humidity is high above 60% and lenses in dark fungus will come. If humidity never go above 40-50% your lenses will be in safe.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I used my j8 today actually, and yesterday, it is one of my very favourite lenses to use on my NEX, as you say, it fits so well.

[Katastrofo]

[anktonio]

Good lens and samples. This lens is fashionable and like them all... Why? She has an outdated design, lower IQ if to double gauss compared. I also like, small and light, a 1968 copy fits good in my G1.



Very sensitive to light side, a lens hood is necessary.

Without lens hood:


With lens hood:


I see enough sharpness and contrast. Maybe even too much contrast sometimes, as some Zeiss. (No PP, unediting, direct JPG neutral settings).


Full resolution: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/9428372742_1efacd7ced_o.jpg

What really attracts me to this lens is out of focus area, smooth and progressive... yes, yes, yeesss! none double gauss can offer this. Moreover, beautiful color reproduction.

At f/2 or 2.8 (I not remeber):


Full resolution: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9428359388_12905dd87c_o.jpg

At f/4 or 5.6:


Full resolution: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/9425586623_ab1e9b7b57_o.jpg

I think it is a fine lens, soft and pleasant to use, offering some special.
Happy shots!

[pdccameras]

Kastrofo - beautiful camera image!

Anktonio- great shots, I really like the last two. They are an excellent example of the wide variety of bokeh choices available with this lens based on chosen aperture. The first shot (nearly wide open is quite smooth and sedate, stop down a bit and as the focus comes up a bit in the background, you get a much more swirly feel.

Great shooter's lens.

P.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hey Bill, that's the twin of my combo - my NEX is red too, for some reason the red ones weren't selling so I got mine for 189ukp with the 16mm kit lens when the silver and black ones were 249.

Anktonio, very nice review, I agree with you completely - a Planar/double-gauss type is technically 'better' but the good old Sonnar design has this special smoothness that produces a classical, beautiful rendering. It is this character that makes me love Sonnars so much.

[Katastrofo]

The red is not a downside to me, think it looks great! This was cheap, too, $189, like new with batt/charger, free shipping.

[philslizzy]

A good topic Ian, I quite like my Jupiter 8 too, its just a little too long for use as a standard lens but its small and goes nixe on the NEX. Mine is a crappy 70's copy but still produces excellent results. Notwithstanding my old eyes.

[BrianS]

Wide-open on the M9, after a full CLA and custom shim for Leica:



This is a late year, export version with perfect glass.

[Attila]

Thank you Brian, rarely seen a Russian mass produced lens on M9, nice sample shoot as well!

[BurstMox]

I have 2 Jupiter-8M, but for some reason, I'm not big fan of it...I don't know why. Both are Contax mount. Is there optical difference between contax and L39 mount?

[BrianS]

[Attila]

Quite unbeliavable J3 is favorite lens for a Leica owner, nice to hear