50/1.5 Jupiter J-3 LTM back in production at Lomo

Just want to push back on the naysaying a little. I like what Lomography is up to. They're moving into more premium optics; the Russar reissue is another example. It seems like they're trying to get away from the "lo-fi" branding and more into "photography with character" and I think that's great. They've now got their "art" lenses and their "experimental" lenses.
 
The price is not crazy for a new lens, but it is if the performance is no better than the 50/1.4 Nikkors, 50/1.5 Canons, and even 50/1.5 ZMs out there. Well, for that price, you could even get a mint Opton Sonnar plus Amedeo's most deluxe adapter. I'm dubious about the rear groups being triple-cemented like the original Sonnars, but if they pull it off competently at that price, cool.

It's a handsome piece, except for having the words "Lomography" and "Art Lens" plastered all over the front ring. Because if you have to keep reminding people that your pictures are "fine art," there is a big possibility you are really just shooting pr0n.

Those sample pictures are not exactly mind-blowing - it looks like the focus just flat-out missed in places (lack of practice by the shooter).

And for the people drooling over multicoating, it's meaningless. I've compared the 1937 uncoated version to the 1961 coated version to the ZM to the Sonnetar - and the coatings (or lack thereof) add nothing in 90% of your cases - the lenses simply have too few air-glass surfaces. Coatings do help in sidelight (the failure mode of the uncoated ones). And when you place a light source incorrectly, you get rainbow circle flare no matter what version you are using. Multicoating will not magically change things, but it is good marketing.

D
 
Why new lens should cost as some old lens?
How much was LTM 50 1.5 CV, how much is new 50 1.5 VM, or Zeiss or Lux.
If you compare prices of NEW lenses, the J-3 new price is right.
And why it is compared with some old Cron here. The difference between f2 and f1.5 is huge.
Old J-3 has absolutely working, without IQ deterioration (Leica glow) maximum aperture. I assume new one has it as well.
So show me which NEW, working at 1.5 lens I could buy for less than new J-3 price in RF department.
 
I wonder how many would complain about a price if Nikon decided to do a new production run of Nikkor-S.C 50/1.5 in LTM.

If I didn't have post-WW2 West Zeiss Sonnar 1,5/50 with Amedeo adapter I would be all over this new J-3.
 
I think this is a great idea. The J-3 is a much loved and very useful fast lens, a lot better and more useful than the resurrected Meyer Trioplan and at half the price.
 
Website says 650USD.

Finding a really nice J3 is not that easy, and the good ones are over 200 bucks used. Most come from the former USSR which is a nightmare.

The CV 50/1.5 is 800USD.

Why cry about the price before we have a clue about the build or performance?

If the lens is made in small numbers with good quality control, 650 is not outrageous, contrary to all the posting here.
 
After getting access to the link i could see myself jump at one when they become available.
I have a very clean sample from early 53 but have not managed to get it shimmed well enough.
If the new J-3 focus accurately on an M it would like to try one.
 
The new version is built of chrome plated brass, much better than the old aluminium ones with their stiff old helical grease, and it will not need shimming to match the Leica standard.

Plus you are getting a new lens with a warranty.
 
uhoh7 said:
...Most come from the former USSR which is a nightmare.

...
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I guess, it really depends where YOU are.

I'm in Canada and shipping from Russia and Ukraine is fast and cheap, with full tracking capabilities. I just have the case resolved last night, they shipped me from Moscow it left and never showed up here until I opened the case and seller contacted Russian Pochta and they contacted Canada Post and my parcel was lost at Canadian side for 30+ days and now it is one the move to me.

While ebay shipping from USA is often expensive and shipping is very slow. Like ridiculously slow. Plus this USA ebay scam with shipping costs abroad. Third world practice, really.
 
Imho they should maker a cheaper, lighter black version.
Possibly one for the e-mount that focuses closer and no rangefinder coupling.

But I guess they've figured out this is the best option, economy-wise.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I guess, it really depends where YOU are.

I'm in Canada and shipping from Russia and Ukraine is fast and cheap, with full tracking capabilities. I just have the case resolved last night, they shipped me from Moscow it left and never showed up here until I opened the case and seller contacted Russian Pochta and they contacted Canada Post and my parcel was lost at Canadian side for 30+ days and now it is one the move to me.

While ebay shipping from USA is often expensive and shipping is very slow. Like ridiculously slow. Plus this USA ebay scam with shipping costs abroad. Third world practice, really.
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Hi,

I'll second that and add that I've had an excellent service and splendid bargains from all but one (many years ago and long gone) of the Russian sellers. And they don't do the dreadful flat rate box trick that a lot of USA sellers try for even an instruction manual.

Regards, David
 
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Ko.Fe. said:
Why new lens should cost as some old lens?
How much was LTM 50 1.5 CV, how much is new 50 1.5 VM, or Zeiss or Lux.
If you compare prices of NEW lenses, the J-3 new price is right.
And why it is compared with some old Cron here. The difference between f2 and f1.5 is huge.
Old J-3 has absolutely working, without IQ deterioration (Leica glow) maximum aperture. I assume new one has it as well.
So show me which NEW, working at 1.5 lens I could buy for less than new J-3 price in RF department.
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Agreed.

Why people compare new lens price to used gear is beyond me but nothing new with lomo. This is what to expect when you are one of the few companies actually making new gear in 2016.

Also keep in mind that this new lens would come with a warranty. Something that should be considered of value when buying russian/lomo.
 
brbo said:
If I didn't have post-WW2 West Zeiss Sonnar 1,5/50 with Amedeo adapter I would be all over this new J-3.
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I have one of those configurations too, and it is probably the best of all of the [let's not say how many] Sonnar types I currently own.

The workmanship on the Opton (later Carl Zeiss) western lenses is jewel-like, right down to the aperture blades. These lenses make 1950s Leica lenses look like Soviet tractors. And with the new Amedeo helicoid adapters (with the lever), you can now focus down to 0.6 (and quite accurately...).

Dante
 
WJJ3 said:
I think this price is fine. I would hope the people building them are making a livable wage.
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Well said!

WJJ3 said:
one point that is not being brought up is that this lens is screw mount, and will mount on a lot more cameras than the M mount lenses people are comparing. You gotta give lomo credit for bringing a new screw mount lens to market
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Well said again! :)
 
wow this is fantastic and competes with all the other brand new LTM lenses from the other mfgs.
Oh wait, noone else makes one.
How dare Lomo sell a new warranteed LTM lens (w M adapter) for much less money than anyone else's NEW LTM or M mount lens of equivalent speed.
 
Dante_Stella said:
The workmanship on the Opton (later Carl Zeiss) western lenses is jewel-like, right down to the aperture blades. These lenses make 1950s Leica lenses look like Soviet tractors. And with the new Amedeo helicoid adapters (with the lever), you can now focus down to 0.6 (and quite accurately...).

Dante
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+1 on the Opton, that's a great lens.
 
Dante_Stella said:
I have one of those configurations too, and it is probably the best of all of the [let's not say how many] Sonnar types I currently own.

The workmanship on the Opton (later Carl Zeiss) western lenses is jewel-like, right down to the aperture blades. These lenses make 1950s Leica lenses look like Soviet tractors. And with the new Amedeo helicoid adapters (with the lever), you can now focus down to 0.6 (and quite accurately...).

Dante
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This is a strong point, Dante. I have one "Opton" lens, and I have Amedeo's old adapter and not the one with the lever.
 
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