Difference between revisions of "Jupiter-8"

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The '''Jupiter-8''' (sometimes marked in Cyrillic, '''ЮПИТЕР-8''') is a postwar Soviet copy of the prewar [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] Sonnar 50mm f/2 for the [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]], built with six elements in three groups. It was made in Contax and [[M39]] mounts, both for [[rangefinder camera]]s.
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The '''Jupiter-8''' (sometimes marked in Cyrillic, '''ЮПИТЕР-8''') is a 50 mm f/2 lens made by [[KMZ]] in the years after the Second World War.<ref name=J8page>[http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/lenses/jupiter-8.html Jupiter-8 page] (in Russian) at the [http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/index-eng.html KMZ archive site].</ref> It is a close copy of the [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] [[Sonnar]], with six elements in three groups; the Soviet Union took the design data for several Zeiss products in War reparations (equipment, and even staff, were also taken to the Soviet Union). The Sonnar had been the standard lens for the [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]], and the J-8 became the standard lens for the [[Kiev]], the Soviet copy of it.  
  
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[[KMZ]] originally made the Jupiter-8 for [[Arsenal]]'s [[Kiev]] (a copy of the [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]]); it later produced a version in [[M39]] mount for its [[Zorki]] [[rangefinder camera]] series.  It first appeared on the [[Zorki 3]] in 1953, and later was the standard lens on the [[Zorki 3S]]. [[GOMZ]]'s [[Leningrad]] came with a KMZ-built Jupiter-8, but it is unclear whether they were custom built or the regular production model.
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[[KMZ]] originally made the Jupiter-8 for the Kiev; it was made by the Arsenal factory from about 1956. KMZ also made the J-8 in an [[M39]] screw mount for its [[Zorki]] [[rangefinder camera]] series: it first appeared on the [[Zorki 3]] in 1953, and later was the standard lens on the [[Zorki 3S]]. Both versions of the lens appear in a 1949 lens catalogue.<ref name=Cat1949>[http://www.zenitcamera.com/catalog/catalog-lenses-1949.html Soviet lens catalogue, 1949] (in Russian) at the KMZ archive site.</ref>
  
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One of its weak points of this lens is the aluminium [[lens barrel]], which is easily damaged if dropped. The filter thread on the front is particularly vulnerable, though there are some uncommon examples of this lens in a stainless-steel barrel, desirable for their durability. The lens takes 40.5mm filters. The [[aperture]] ring lacks [[click stops]], so it is easy to accidentally change the setting. Click stops were introduced in Jupiter 8M version in [[Contax rangefinder mount]].  
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[[GOMZ]]'s [[Leningrad]] rangefinder of 1956-8 also came with a Jupiter-8, made by KMZ.
  
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Without a doubt the strength of the lens is the image quality. Soviet optical factories were known for sharp optics, and this one is no exception. The edges are not so good but the center is.
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The J-8 was originally made with a polished aluminium barrel, though some examples exist in stainless steel. From the 1970s, the lens was made in a black finish (the barrel is still aluminium).
  
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The lens was originally available only in the natural rather dull "silver" of aluminium but in the 1970s was also made with a black finish. It belonged to the Soviet class of lenses which was named [[Jupiter (lenses)|Jupiter]]
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The lens takes 40.5mm filters. The [[aperture]] ring lacks [[click stops]]: these were introduced in the Jupiter 8M version in [[Contax rangefinder mount]].
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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* [http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/lenses/jupiter-8.html Technical Data] provided by the manufacturers (KMZ, now Zenit Camera)
 
 
* PGallery.net has a page of [http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-3356.html images made with a Jupiter-8]
 
* PGallery.net has a page of [http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-3356.html images made with a Jupiter-8]
 
<!-- NOT FOUND: * Wayne Cornell lists some [http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-3356.html information on Soviet lenses], including the Jupiter-8 -->
 
<!-- NOT FOUND: * Wayne Cornell lists some [http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-3356.html information on Soviet lenses], including the Jupiter-8 -->

Revision as of 22:41, 19 September 2011

2178999956_25b0030417.jpg
Jupiter-8 (M39 mount).
image by Michael Gatchell (Image rights)

The Jupiter-8 (sometimes marked in Cyrillic, ЮПИТЕР-8) is a 50 mm f/2 lens made by KMZ in the years after the Second World War.[1] It is a close copy of the Zeiss Sonnar, with six elements in three groups; the Soviet Union took the design data for several Zeiss products in War reparations (equipment, and even staff, were also taken to the Soviet Union). The Sonnar had been the standard lens for the Contax, and the J-8 became the standard lens for the Kiev, the Soviet copy of it.

KMZ originally made the Jupiter-8 for the Kiev; it was made by the Arsenal factory from about 1956. KMZ also made the J-8 in an M39 screw mount for its Zorki rangefinder camera series: it first appeared on the Zorki 3 in 1953, and later was the standard lens on the Zorki 3S. Both versions of the lens appear in a 1949 lens catalogue.[2]

GOMZ's Leningrad rangefinder of 1956-8 also came with a Jupiter-8, made by KMZ.

The J-8 was originally made with a polished aluminium barrel, though some examples exist in stainless steel. From the 1970s, the lens was made in a black finish (the barrel is still aluminium).

The lens takes 40.5mm filters. The aperture ring lacks click stops: these were introduced in the Jupiter 8M version in Contax rangefinder mount.

References

  1. ↑ Jupiter-8 page (in Russian) at the KMZ archive site.
  2. ↑ Soviet lens catalogue, 1949 (in Russian) at the KMZ archive site.

Links

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