Difference between revisions of "Jupiter-8"
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| − | The Jupiter-8 is a postwar copy of the prewar [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] Sonnar 50mm f/2 for the [[Contax]]. | + | The '''Jupiter-8''' is a postwar Soviet copy of the prewar [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] Sonnar 50mm f/2 for the [[Contax]]. It was made in Contax and [[L39]] mounts, both for [[rangefinder camera]]s. |
| − | + | [[KMZ]] originally made the Jupiter-8 for [[Arsenal]]'s [[Kiev]] (a copy of the [[Contax]]); it later produced a version in [[L39]] mount for its [[Zorki]] [[rangefinder camera]]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. | |
| − | + | One of its weak points of this lens is the aluminum [[lens barrel]], which is easily damaged if dropped. The filter thread on the front is particularly vulnerable. The lens takes 40.5mm filters. The [[aperture]] ring lacks [[click stops]], so it is easy to accidently change the setting. | |
| − | The lens was originally available only in | + | 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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| + | As with most Soviet products, many examples of this lens have minor defects or are put together poorly. Buying one of these lenses is a gamble. Still, these lenses are more reliable than the other Jupiter models, and the price is lower. | ||
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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. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 15:35, 10 October 2006
The Jupiter-8 is a postwar Soviet copy of the prewar Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/2 for the Contax. It was made in Contax and L39 mounts, both for rangefinder cameras.
KMZ originally made the Jupiter-8 for Arsenal's Kiev (a copy of the Contax); it later produced a version in L39 mount for its Zorki rangefinder camera series.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.
One of its weak points of this lens is the aluminum lens barrel, which is easily damaged if dropped. The filter thread on the front is particularly vulnerable. The lens takes 40.5mm filters. The aperture ring lacks click stops, so it is easy to accidently change the setting.
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.
As with most Soviet products, many examples of this lens have minor defects or are put together poorly. Buying one of these lenses is a gamble. Still, these lenses are more reliable than the other Jupiter models, and the price is lower.
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.
Links
- PGallery.net has a page of images made with a Jupiter-8
- Wayne Cornell lists some information on Soviet lenses, including the Jupiter-8
- A Jupiter-8 page at Alfred's Camera Page
