Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/09/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]- --On Monday, September 9, 2002 2:11 PM -0700 JP M <skeenut@yahoo.com> wrote: > I've been thinking about trying a Jupiter 12 on my > recently acquired IIIf. > I poked around on e-bay and found zillions of them, > all put up by outfits (or outfit) in Russia and > Estonia and Latvia. I've never had a bad experience > trading on the internet, I generally just send things > out before payment is received (unless it's really > big)and have never been burned. > But these ads seem funny. Have any luggers had > experience with these folks? I don't want to be > naive. > Thanks, > Jeff Please consider my experience to be only one data point as I think Russian lenses are one case in which YMMV, very definitely :-). Curious about these lenses, I set out to acquire a good example of the Jupiter 12, Jupiter 3, and Jupiter 9. These are 35mm f2.8, 50mm f1.5 and 85mm f2 lenses respectively. I spent some time on the auction site whose name may not be mentioned and wound up with one of each. The vendors operated professionally, with all taking Paypal or Billpay. As far as grading, I would say that their definition of a "new" condition lens would probably equate to our definition of 9 or 9+. While I haven't done Erwin style testing, my experiences are that: 1. The 50mm is mediocre at full aperture, fine if stopped down a bit, excellent at f4 or f5.6. I believe this lens is a copy of the Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. 2. The 35mm is pretty darn good at full aperture (only 2.8) but the unique nature of the the aperture ring makes using the lens somewhat inconvenient. (The aperture ring is actually recessed inside the outer lens hood.) This lens is a copy of the Zeiss 35mm Biogon. The back of the lens intrudes too deeply into the body to mount on the Bessa bodies. One plus: It is a *very* tiny lens, much smaller than the 35mm Summicron for example. 3. For m, the 85mm is the standout performer of the crowd. It is crisp and contrasty even wide open, at least in the central area. The only problem is that I would not trust the focus to be exact (to within 1cm) at closest focus. It appears to be fine at the distance used for an actual head and shoulders portrait. I've tested this on several bodies, so it is a lens issue, not a body issue. This lens is a copy of the Zeiss 85mm Sonnar. A further comment onf the 85mm. I picked up a good example for around $100. The focus ring was so stiff as to make the otherwise pristine lens almost unusable. I understand this is the rule rather than the exception, due to the lubricants the Russians used. My usual repair shop took the lens, relubricated it, and gave me a bill for over $100. So be aware that if you want one of these lenses, getting it to usable shape may cost as much as the purchase price. Yes, the focus ring now rotates very nicely :-). Even at $200, it is a very credible performer. Oh yes, don't forget to add the price of the LTM too M mount converter ring. Did I say YMMV? - -- Rolfe Tessem rolfe@ldp.com Lucky Duck Productions, Inc. - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html