Interesting observations from alexandru_voicu and fad gadget.
I had mine for a few days and the experience was closer to what alexandru_voicu said. Mine had
• Slight play in focusing ring
• Not "wobble" level but the front part of the lens could shift tiny bit
• Focusing was better than old Russian lens I once had, but rather inconsistent smoothness and I could fee some rougher spots here and there.
• Had several black specks of dust and a couple of fibers in elements.
• Aperture ring was drier feeling in action. My Contax Option Sonnar 50/2 has a lot smoother action.
• Back focusing a bit (was expecting some shift due to Sonnar design so I wasn't really put off by it tho)
I think it is definitely far far better than the old Jupiter for overall construction and the brass barrel looked great. Focus shifting (whichever way it should go) was expected and it is a character lens I was OK with it, but I ended up returning it as the overall quality was not what I was expecting from the price point and some early reports I've read (at least my copy was no where near "velvet smooth" or "super smooth"). I wasn't super disappointed and had hard time deciding, but in the end the combination of overall construction quality and the price point wasn't working for me.
I did like the pictures I got from my limited time with the lens. I wanted to shoot more, but I needed to decide quick so the lens remained returnable.
Smashing hair you got there by
Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
Shot with New Jupiter 3+ on M4-P. Neopan 400 at 640.
Again, I LOVE the Sonnar look, and I could imagine myself giving it another try in the future (maybe send it off to Don or someone to really perfect it, then keep for good) I ever regretted selling the Nikkor SC 50/2. I wanted this lens to be IT, but I'm opting to use my Contax Sonnar 50/2 (already had it, part of Contax IIa kit I got for $150) with the latest Amedeo adapter ($200).