Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/03/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 09:33 PM 3/1/06 -0500, Rob McClure wrote: > >I just wanted to share my experience with my latest lens acquisition -- >a Jupiter 8 50 2.8 in LTM. I paid $62 for this baby from Fedka.com and >I am very impressed. The build quality is excellent; it looks and >feels a lot like the Summicron I sold to fund other purchases. The >finish is good and focusing is smooth. The glass is spotless and it >looked new. I miss the focusing tab, but given the price difference, >I can live without it. I 've only gotten one roll through it so far, >but have been please with a couple low light shots and some of my >favorite tree pictures. I also bought the round metal lens hood and it >probably will work well enough, but it is pretty bulky compared to the >vented round hood I had on my Summicron. This is one of the few >Leica-related accessories I've purchased since going digital (the other >being a Russian 50 Elmar clone), but at these prices, I can justify >expanding my film equipment. Rob Your LTM Jupiter-8 almost certainly comes for the KMZ works just outside of Moscow. These vary a bit in quality but almost all are really capable performers. (The ones made by the Arsenal works for their Contax RF clone, the Kiev II through 4AM) generally are a bit better but the differences are minor.) The 1.5/50 Jupiter-3 is an even better lens, especially the latest ones. This was a lens design which it took Leitz three decades to equal and they still haven't beaten it even with the new APO-ASPH miracle Summilux recently introduced. And Fedka (Yuri Bogoslavsky in real time) is a grand person and an absolutely honest trader. I have had many very happy dealings with him. No, a Jupiter-8 will never replace my beloved Summitar and Summicron NF lenses nor my trusted Summilux-M, but mine is a capable lens with which I have taken many a happy snap. Dump digiital, and get back where it is happening, in real chemical photography. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir! NEW FAX NUMBER: +540-343-8505