Jupiter 8

the optical design between the ltm and kiev mount are not different.

so that will not make any difference. they were made for a long time, and glass formulas and coatings changed across time and across plants. also i think the later models had a more circular aperture when stop down vs the old models. these, as well as the quality control will have more impact on your image quality versus the mount. so you may have to try a couple of them, but i think the later the make, the better chance to get a good one. (though that does not always hold true)

 

I have a few and prefer the 62. It's sharp enough with medium or better contrast.
It draws light wonderfully. Its not a Cron but it's also a few bucks less.

 

Kevin,
First 2 digits is the year of production.
I mentioned the Cron as it's the closest in design ... But not price.
The J8 performs similar to the early Summitars.

 

Not the best pictures but here's a couple of Jupiter-8

1956 (Silver) Jupiter-8

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1973 (Black) jupiter-8

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1942 Leitz Summitar (for comparison)

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Industar-61 (for comparison)

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1962 Silver J8. I probably could make this sharper/contrastier but I wanted it to look like this.....



This lens is LTM and I've had it since 1970. It was given to me by an Aussie shooter in Nam.

 

Be very careful buying an adapter - most are for telephoto lenses ONLY .
Kiev lenses have two mounts - outer for 50mm J8 etc and outer for the telephotos .
You can tell the 50mm adapters 'cos they have the helical which you would see ona Kiev or Contax .
A good Helios is stunning , J8s vary in quality and age related problems .
The later J8m has click stops like the Helios and modern lenses .

 

There's a guy on Ebay from Poland. He's a machinist and makes adapters. He's only on a few times but his adapters are the best. They have 3 set screws in the flange that allows the threads to be adjusted for focus and orientation.
I posted a link somewhere on a thread some time ago.
Shooter

 

Here are few of my pictures with Jupiter 8 - these were taken with older one (silver) - I also have later black version. The silver seems better in quality and it is better match (excellent match to be more precise) with my silver E-P1 body.

The lens itself is very small and fairly light compared to the other 50mm lenses - you can easily fit it into pocket as a portrait prime. It is also built like a tank - recently dropped black one from my bag on the flor - it was intacted.

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Have you got it mounted yet?

Hi Kevin, not to hijack the thread, but I was searching for Helios 103 and saw your post...

I have a Helois 103 and I canabalized the mount from a dead Kiev 4.

I tested shooting with it by sticking the whole mount in a m42 adapter that had removable threads, I poped the threads out and made a foam pad ring to keep the light out, but before mounting it on any adapter permanently, I'm hoping to find an adapter that will let me get the lense a little closer to the CCD, the way I had it mounted for testing basicaly made it into a macro lens. I'll post the test shots I took with it when I get home.

Anyone have any thoughts on how to piece this mess all togther ?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shereenstuff/5222372673/" title="PB293265 by shereenstuff, on Flickr">

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"500" height="375" alt="PB293265" /></a>

Thanks,
Shereen

 

More questions

Also, since I'm trying to make my own Contax/Kiev Bayonet mount adapter, are there any other little gems out there that would fit into that mount that I should be keeping my eyes peeled for? (besided the J8)

One more though, I've been looking at the mount on this :

JUPITER-11 4/135mm Lens KIEV/CONTAX Sonnar MINT 1957y - eBay (item 170545958966 end time Dec-26-10 07:34:40 PST)

and although it says it's for the Contax/Kiev Bayonet mount, I can't quite wrap my mind around how it would work... :smile:

 

Help needed...

So... after much discussion and posting of images here, I decided I'd give a try to all those wonderful Jupiter lenses - and got myself a chrome Jupiter-8 from 1959. The problem is that I simply can't figure what adapter I need to use it ? I'm posting images of the front and bayonet mount, hoping someone here will point me to the right one... The mount was described as "Contax-Kiev type internal bayonet" - Thanks in advance !

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Sounds harsh, but: forget about this one and buy one in Leica Thread Mount. The LTM lens can be used with an inexpensive adapter.

The Contax/Kiev mount lenses require an adapter that will run well over $100. The COntax/Kiev adapters must incorporate a focus helical in it.