raid
Dad Photographer
Such discussions will end this thread soon .... 
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
Have you forgotten your table manners? No talk about religion or politics by the dinner table, nor camera forums.
DominikDUK
Well-known
........
Talking about cameras and lenses is much nicer than talking about politics less blood and perversion. So please let's return to the original topic.
Talking about cameras and lenses is much nicer than talking about politics less blood and perversion. So please let's return to the original topic.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
It's likely to see Steve Huff write one....
Which we can predict will read:
OMG!!! This is the [one of the] best lens[es] ever! Sure it doesn't score well on resolution tests, but if you have THE FIRE IN YOUR BELLY or know what the kids are doing on the ART SCENE, you understand that sometimes technical stuff has to take a BACK SEAT to AESTHETICS!
D
raid
Dad Photographer
This is a thread about a lens, at a photography website.
There is a forum for "Other Topics". Use it instead.
There is a forum for "Other Topics". Use it instead.
DominikDUK
Well-known
Thank you raid
valdas
Veteran
OK, so we are back track 
Well, I was first who said on this thred - I would pass. But now I am not that categorical. Brass vs aluminium, 0,7 vs 1m min focus, calibrated to fit M (plus adapter), warranty... Still - would like to see thorough review with image samples (not ones from the seller page) and then maybe, just maybe...
Well, I was first who said on this thred - I would pass. But now I am not that categorical. Brass vs aluminium, 0,7 vs 1m min focus, calibrated to fit M (plus adapter), warranty... Still - would like to see thorough review with image samples (not ones from the seller page) and then maybe, just maybe...
DominikDUK
Well-known
My, my, my, that was quite different before I refreshed the page.
It was and I thought that it was the wrong place to post it so I deleted it after a short cooling down phase
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Not politics but...
To sell in the USA they have to have the country of origin on them don't they? (It was/is a good way of dating things to before or after 1871.) Can anyone say where they are made as I must have missed it somewhere and can't be bothered to re-read it all.
I know some of the original Jupiter-3's were made by KMZ but I'm not too sure about this modern one.
Regards, David
Not politics but...
To sell in the USA they have to have the country of origin on them don't they? (It was/is a good way of dating things to before or after 1871.) Can anyone say where they are made as I must have missed it somewhere and can't be bothered to re-read it all.
I know some of the original Jupiter-3's were made by KMZ but I'm not too sure about this modern one.
Regards, David
valdas
Veteran
Hi,
Not politics but...
To sell in the USA they have to have the country of origin on them don't they? (It was/is a good way of dating things to before or after 1871.) Can anyone say where they are made as I must have missed it somewhere and can't be bothered to re-read it all.
I know some of the original Jupiter-3's were made by KMZ but I'm not too sure about this modern one.
Regards, David
Same place - it's Zenit factory now, same Krasnogorsk near Moscow.
David Hughes
David Hughes
...+1.
Personally, I don't demand an abstract technical perfection from a lens (in fact I think that's probably why I don't have much feeling for lenses from the last 10 years or so) I just mostly don't like "surprises" when I'm working. Consistency in focus is a lot better than sharpness or resolution. I mean there's a limit to that example, of course, but something functioning the same way every time has a greater value for me than a particular "look". It is nice to have a wide variety of options though.
I'll second that, if I want the look of using a Contax pre-war uncoated lens I'll use one. And so on and so forth for all the other variations; most of which I can't see...
Regards, David
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Love the idea.
Classic Sonnar rendering, 0.7m min focus, LTM, brass construction, correct focus on M/LTM, compact for the speed. As a photographer I want clicky aperture ring, but probably this is a good thing for those intending to use it for video.
I could probably find Japanese Sonnar copy (Nikon or Canon), for lower price, but I personally favor 0.7m min focus quite big time over 1m for versatility. C-Sonnar could focus down, but no LTM compatibility.
Love to try one out at some point in the future, and love to see some photos taken with it By the members here.
Classic Sonnar rendering, 0.7m min focus, LTM, brass construction, correct focus on M/LTM, compact for the speed. As a photographer I want clicky aperture ring, but probably this is a good thing for those intending to use it for video.
I could probably find Japanese Sonnar copy (Nikon or Canon), for lower price, but I personally favor 0.7m min focus quite big time over 1m for versatility. C-Sonnar could focus down, but no LTM compatibility.
Love to try one out at some point in the future, and love to see some photos taken with it By the members here.
raid
Dad Photographer
Will its market value soon jump to $1000?
Why not. It could become an instant classic.
Why not. It could become an instant classic.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
50/1.5 Jupiter J-3 LTM back in production at Lomo
heh heh you're full of beans today, Dante 😄¸
I've actually added a question mark to the Opton Sonnar + Amadeo adapter I've got on my reacquisition wish list, after hearing of Brian's enthusiasm for the lens. I'll be watching this one closely!
Which we can predict will read:
OMG!!! This is the [one of the] best lens[es] ever! Sure it doesn't score well on resolution tests, but if you have THE FIRE IN YOUR BELLY or know what the kids are doing on the ART SCENE, you understand that sometimes technical stuff has to take a BACK SEAT to AESTHETICS!
D
heh heh you're full of beans today, Dante 😄¸
I've actually added a question mark to the Opton Sonnar + Amadeo adapter I've got on my reacquisition wish list, after hearing of Brian's enthusiasm for the lens. I'll be watching this one closely!
Huss
Veteran
![]()
Lomography doesn't say what that naugahyde binder is supposed to be. Any ideas?
My guess: a special place to write down how artsy I am.
Also, what deeper knowledge and ecstatic truth is contained within those thick pamphlets, I wonder?
Lomo packages their products really nicely. That will be a binder for the documentation and book containing images and tips. They want you to be excited about the purchase, and make you want to go out and take photos.
What do you get from other mfgs? A registration card and warranty slip.
Huss
Veteran
Which we can predict will read:
OMG!!! This is the [one of the] best lens[es] ever! Sure it doesn't score well on resolution tests, but if you have THE FIRE IN YOUR BELLY or know what the kids are doing on the ART SCENE, you understand that sometimes technical stuff has to take a BACK SEAT to AESTHETICS!
D
Unless there is a 'buy it here' link on his site, you won't find a review.
(I exaggerate for effect, but not by much..)
Jan Pedersen
Well-known
I could probably find Japanese Sonnar copy (Nikon or Canon), for lower price, but I personally favor 0.7m min focus quite big time over 1m for versatility. C-Sonnar could focus down, but no LTM compatibility.
The Nikon 50 1.4 in LTM mount (Nippon Kogaku Tokyo) will focus down to 1.5 feet but you will naturally need preview on your camera to use the close focus range.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
The Nikon 50 1.4 in LTM mount (Nippon Kogaku Tokyo) will focus down to 1.5 feet but you will naturally need preview on your camera to use the close focus range.
(sorry for going off-topic)
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Do you know if the RF coupling can go down to 0.7m (so M body can focus down to the body side of minimum focus distance limit).
Brian Legge
Veteran
(sorry for going off-topic)
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Do you know if the RF coupling can go down to 0.7m (so M body can focus down to the body side of minimum focus distance limit).
Coupled focus requires modifying the lens. Imagine putting an M adapter on it and then filing down the lens to match the cutout section.
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
Which we can predict will read:
OMG!!! This is the [one of the] best lens[es] ever! Sure it doesn't score well on resolution tests, but if you have THE FIRE IN YOUR BELLY or know what the kids are doing on the ART SCENE, you understand that sometimes technical stuff has to take a BACK SEAT to AESTHETICS!
D
+1, that really made me laugh! Thanks for the Huff-isms, they were spot-on.
You also should add things like "since I got this lens I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT OFF MY CAMERA, IT'S THAT GOOD" and "THIS LENS HAS AMAZING DRAMA AND RENDERING", then add some exciting sample photos of trees and rocks.
Now let me try my hand at a faux KenRockwell review:
[SIZE=+4]KMZ Jupiter-3 50mm F1.5 [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+4] [SIZE=+3]JUPITER-3 "PLUS" (2016-)[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+4] [SIZE=+3]JUPITER-3 "PLUS" (2016-)[/SIZE][/SIZE]

JUPITER-3 50mm F1.5, silver (40.5mm filters, 16.2 oz./460g; $649). This free website's biggest source of support is when you click on some silly links. They are never in stock; you have to order yours and wait. If you're in a hurry, you can always find questionable old Jupiter-3's from dodgy sellers on eBay). It helps me when you get anything through these links, regardless of the country in which you live. Or just send me piles of money through PayPal. Thanks! Ken.
[SIZE=+3]Introduction[/SIZE]
Intro Specs Performance Compared Recommendations
The KMZ/Lomography Jupiter-3 "plus" is a remarkable lens, being the world's only Russian lens with the ability to instantly hipsterize even the most straight-laced photographer.
The KMZ/Lomography Jupiter-3 "plus" is a remarkable lens, being the world's only Russian lens with the ability to instantly hipsterize even the most straight-laced photographer.
This JUPITER-3 has the best bokeh of any lens, and it is KMZ's best lens ever, however it is still not as sharp as the LEICA SUMMICRON-M 50mm F2. Nothing beats a SUMMICRON. Except maybe another SUMMICRON.
This KMZ JUPITER-3 comes in solid chromed brass, as shown here. This solid-brass silver version is very dense and heavy; my gas chromatograph machine indicated the aperture ring is made from finely-milled depleted uranium. That's why it's so heavy.
[SIZE=+2]Compatibility
[/SIZE]
This KMZ JUPITER-3 works perfectly on every Leica camera, from 1954's LEICA M3 to 2016's LEICA SL Typ 601. Changing camera mounts with the JUPITER-3 is simple: the LEICAMAN needs to pay extra money for an adapter. Of course, the LEICAMAN uses $100 bills to light his Cuban cigars, so buying adapters is trivial.
[SIZE=+2][SIZE=+3]Specifications
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Name[/SIZE]
Lomo calls this the KMZ JUPITER-3 PLUS 50mm F1.5 ART LENS.
Lomo is from the original Byelorussian "ломо" meaning "hipster". KMZ is an Anglicized acronym from the original Russian, meaning "Красногорский механический завод", or "Red Hill Mechanical Plant".
The plus means it's not an original Jupiter-3, but rather a re-engineered design. The ART LENS means you'll put up with this lens's idiosyncrasies in order to justify paying $649 for a Russian lens.
[SIZE=+3]Performance[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Overall[/SIZE]
The JUPITER-3 is KMZ's best 50mm f/1.5 yet. This lens has the best bokeh of any 50mm lens -- except the JUPITER-8. Now THAT'S an amazing lens!
[SIZE=+2]Bokeh[/SIZE]
Bokeh, the character of out of focus backgrounds, not simply how far out of focus they are, is extraordinary. Out of the dozens and dozens of different lenses I've evaluated, including the ballyhooed LEICA NOCTILUX 50mm f/1.0, this 50mm lens has by far the best bokeh of any rangefinder lens. Since the JUPITER-3 PLUS is made in Russia, I'd equate its bokeh to a creamy, savory borscht.
[SIZE=+3]Performance[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Overall[/SIZE]
The JUPITER-3 is KMZ's best 50mm f/1.5 yet. This lens has the best bokeh of any 50mm lens -- except the JUPITER-8. Now THAT'S an amazing lens!
[SIZE=+2]Bokeh[/SIZE]
Bokeh, the character of out of focus backgrounds, not simply how far out of focus they are, is extraordinary. Out of the dozens and dozens of different lenses I've evaluated, including the ballyhooed LEICA NOCTILUX 50mm f/1.0, this 50mm lens has by far the best bokeh of any rangefinder lens. Since the JUPITER-3 PLUS is made in Russia, I'd equate its bokeh to a creamy, savory borscht.
Bokeh is much, much better than the LEICA SUMMICRON 50mm f/2.0, and better than the LEICA SUMMILUX 50mm f/1.4.
I will post crops from extremely enlarged photos of some out-of-focus thingies.
In my examples, a vertically polarized phase lattice was set up at 3 meters (10 feet) on which the JUPITER-3 PLUS was focused, while synthetic reference vegetation seen out of focus in the background was at 15 meters (50 feet).
Note: my "vertically polarized phase lattice" was created using Alien technology from Area 51. This technology is from my days working as a Very Important Person at the US Department of Defense "Skunkworks". The "synthetic reference vegetation" is a favorite snack of extraterrestrials. Naturally, I have lots of it lying around my house.
[SIZE=+2][SIZE=+3]Recommendations[/SIZE][/SIZE]
This is the LEICAMAN'S 50mm lens. The LEICAMAN, like LEICA, isn't about photography; he's about the experience. This is the lens to have if you expect the best. Especially if "the best" means something from Russia.
If you're a photographer/audio engineer/opinionated blogger like me, I prefer the KMZ JUPITER-8 50mm f/2 which is sharper, smaller, lighter, doesn't block the viewfinder, and is easy to buy. Plus, the original JUPITER-8 smells of industrial axle grease. This JUPITER-3 PLUS excels only at élan, bokeh, and giving you that intangible Lomo vibe.
[SIZE=+2]Help me help you[/SIZE]
If you've gotten your gear through one of my links, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time.
Since you're family, I'd like to take photos of you eating french fries at the local family restaurant and doing cute things at various SoCal locations. Please email me for your contact info. Thanks!
Share:
-
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.