Any experiences with a Jupiter-8-1?

[alexbachin]

I'm excited to get into FSU lenses and want to get a Jupiter-8. I'm deciding between trying to find a tabbed version circa 1960 or buying a new (old stock) Jupiter-8-1 from Fedka.

I haven't been able to find a lot about people's experiences with the newer '90s Jupiters. Does anyone have any information about them?

 

[brachal]

I have an 8-1. I don't like it as much as my 80's J-8. The images just aren't as nice. Also, the second aperture scale doesn't line up correctly.

 

[batterytypehah!]

From Brian Sweeney, buried in this current thread about the black J-3 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102906:

Completely different story on the Black J-8: I have had many that are optically as good as their 1950s versions. I have had several Black J-8's that compared well with the Nikkor 5cm f2.

 

[ray*j*gun]

My suggestion is to buy one from a member who has already used it and determined that its a goodie. I have tried exxxxy and other sources with LIMITED success.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

This is with a 1980s J-8 that I just sold in the RFF classifieds:

Wide-Open

Tight Crop:

Wide-Open:

Tight Crop of above.

This lens required adding 0.1mm to the shim, was back-focusing when I got it.

Note: This one is from 1985, and is a J-8, NOT J-8-1.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Note: This one is from 1985, and is a J-8, NOT J-8-1.

Thanks for the clarification, Brian. My bad, I missed that.

 

[alexbachin]

Thanks for all the information. It seems like it'd be worth getting a '80s J-8 or one of the really early ones.

 

[Borghesia]

I have a early black version of the J8, and I also have seen the Fedka NOS J8.
I ordered and received the Fedka NOS J8, but actually my old black J8 is much prettier with its white figures then the NOS one with its yellow/green/red figures, from this aesthetics I tend use the old one more.
There is no difference between the two, both perform the same to me.
Here's a test-picture from my old black J8 @ F4 taken with a Bessa-T, Sonnar all over :

 

[kievman]

Fantastic images of what a J-8 lens, old or new can do. I love the Bokeh in your shots, Brian. They really show the beauty of the J-8 and remind me why I like that lens so much. I have 8 J-8s from 1957 to 1985 and all except the 72" and 57" ones are stellar performers. The 72' suffers from haze and the 57' is a little low in contrast but pretty sharp stopped down. You really can't beat a good J-8 or Helios 103 for their price to performance ratio. They really blow some more expensive brands out of the water when you make that comparison -Kievman

 

[greyelm]

I just popped out half an hour ago to get some shots with my black Jupiter-8 (s/n 09092340) which came with a 1973 Zorki 4. Bright but overcast day, 11:00 BST. Camera = Lumix GF1

 

[jarski]

not only Fedka -90's J8-1's are sold as "NOS". also -80's J8's pop up in eBay and are sold as new-old stock, never used. seems, based on the comments here, -80's version has slightly better build but only marginally ?

 

[Brian Legge]

I have a Jupiter 8 from 1961. It isn't the tabbed version but I can see the potential in the lens:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/5792877774/

I'm still working on shimming it correctly though. Its close but not as sharp as the Keiv J8s I used. This one was purchased from Fedka as Exc-. It has some very subtle cleaning marks but nothing I've seen causing problems.

 

[kshapero]

I guess I have the early version, black, no tab, that wacky two sets of aperture scales. But the IQ is so damn unique that I can not part with it.

 

[d_sikes]

I had a 1964 J-8 (again, not tabbed) and I loved it. I gave it and the Zorki-4 that came with it to a good friend of mine and regretted it ever since. I need to start looking for another one soon.