Use J-3 on DSLR

[zhang xk]

Hi all,

I have 3 LTM J-3s made by 3 factories and I tried them on a DLSR as a macro lens. The KMZ made J-3(52xxxx) flared a lot wide open, and the other two were made in 1961 and 1964 that are much better, but I can't recall their factory names at the moment. The 1952 J-3 seems to have a bit more cleanning marks.
Stopped down to F8, all three performed very well, but the 1961 and 1964 J-3s are still a bit more contrasty. The 1952 J-3 might still have Zeiss glass as it has some hand engraved numbers on the rear lens tube.

Here are images of a sea-shell shot by CZJ 2.4/35 and one of the later J-3s.

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[zhang xk]

Here are the J-3s made by various factories. Only one is in Kiev mount.

 

[QUAsit]

Upper left J-3 is ZOMZ made (Zagorsk factory)
Upper right is KMZ
Two below are made on Valday factory. (Valdai factory "Jupiter")

 

[zuikologist]

A nice J3 collection!

The J3s seem to work well as macro lenses. I wonder how an Industar 61L/Z would work, as it has an excellent reputation for sharpness and contrast.

 

[zhang xk]

Upper left J-3 is ZOMZ made (Zagorsk factory)
Upper right is KMZ
Two below are made on Valday factory. (Valdai factory "Jupiter")

Thanks. Those factory names are hard to find on the "bible". :bang: Are those numbers on the KMZ J-3 Zeiss S/Ns?

 

[zhang xk]

A nice J3 collection!

The J3s seem to work well as macro lenses. I wonder how an Industar 61L/Z would work, as it has an excellent reputation for sharpness and contrast.

I have an I-61 L/Z in M42 mount. That is a sharp semi-macro lens. The Volna-9 is a true macro lens. But I still prefer the Zeiss Flektogon 2.4/35 for its image quality. Perhaps a bit more contrasty and the color a bit warmer.

 

[xayraa33]

Upper left J-3 is ZOMZ made (Zagorsk factory)
Upper right is KMZ
Two below are made on Valday factory. (Valdai factory "Jupiter")

of the three factories that made the J-3, which one has the best reputation for making the best J-3's ?

 

[QUAsit]

Yes, these digits are S/Ns, first two digits is Year of production. For instance, these two made on Valday VOMZ are made in 1961 (M39 J-3) and in 1957 (Kiev J-3)

Concerning reputation: White lens are believed to be best of KMZ production, black series of J-3 believed to be the best of ZOMZ design. But, as usual, the best russian lens is that lens which YOU found to be the best.