A couple new old lenses: Summitar and Jupiter 8

[Disaster_Area]

I picked up a couple new old lenses this month... a user Summitar and a Jupiter 8. The Jupiter 8 was actually for a friend, but I took it for a test drive and liked it so much I'm picking up one for myself.

First... the Summitar. This is my first Leica lens... and I'm not dissapointed. I've always been somewhat suspicious that terms like "Leica Glow" and "3D effect" were things made up to justify outrageous lens prices to ones self. But you really have to see things you've shot before shot through a Leica lens. I can't say if they'll all exhibit these qualities, but this Summitar sure does.






Next up is the Jupiter 8... I had a couple of these kicking around, intending to eventually strip them down and clean the gunk out of the helicoids eventually. After playing with a very nice copy I picked up for a friend... I've decided it's time to get out the clean and lube kit 🙂 I've always loved the Sonnar bokeh... I'm just hoping I can get mine to focus as nicely as this one:

 

[Krzys]

The Jupiter-8 has lovely bokeh.

I recently sold mine though, due to excessive use of the Canon 1.4 which won't die down any time soon.

I hope to see more shots from yours!

 

[Mablo]

I have two Jupiter-8 lenses. The one I took this shot with is a chrome 1956 model and the other is 'new old stock', unused black 1992 model. I like them both.

 

[payasam]

Every Summitar needs a SOOPD.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I tried my friends SOOPD but found it a bit unweildy... I'm trying to find a decently priced IROOA, but even without a hood I'm finding the flare not nearly as bad as everyone says it is, although I haven't taken any shots on a bright sunny day with it yet.

 

[Disaster_Area]

ok... well I nabbed a SOOPD off ebay for $16... so I guess I'll give it a longer try 🙂

 

[coolfotog]

my incredibly flawless 60 year young summitar...will trade for food...LOL

 

[Frontman]

I love my Summitar, it certainly has that "glow" to it. Unfortunately, the glow sometimes becomes a full-blown flare. I always put a hood on my Summitar, to me it is essential.

The "barn door" hood is rather big and clumsy looking when attached to the lens, but it is the best one to use. Folded up, it fits easily in any pocket, and with the lens collapsed, I can leave the folded hood attached and still fit the camera in my coat pocket.

I also use a Canon S-42 hood on my Summitar. It is small, inexpensive, and does the job. It does obstruct the viewfinder a bit (the obstruction is worse in the Barnack style cameras than the M) series, but these hoods can be found for $20 to $40 pretty easily.

 

[coolfotog]

I love my Summitar, it certainly has that "glow" to it. Unfortunately, the glow sometimes becomes a full-blown flare. I always put a hood on my Summitar, to me it is essential.

The "barn door" hood is rather big and clumsy looking when attached to the lens, but it is the best one to use. Folded up, it fits easily in any pocket, and with the lens collapsed, I can leave the folded hood attached and still fit the camera in my coat pocket.

I also use a Canon S-42 hood on my Summitar. It is small, inexpensive, and does the job. It does obstruct the viewfinder a bit (the obstruction is worse in the Barnack style cameras than the M) series, but these hoods can be found for $20 to $40 pretty easily.

Reminds me of a dealer up here in Canada who wanted $140.00 for the barn door hood ("rare Leitz New York copy" purportedly and when I declined offered me $150 for my pristine summitar (pictured above.)

 

[Disaster_Area]

It is ridiculous that some Leica gadgets are going for more than some of the lenses and bodies... the adapter to put E39 filters on a Summitar can't be had for love nor money 🙂

 

[fotomeow]

coolfotog: what a gorgeous piece of glass you have! I have a 'tar on order, and am looking into hoods myself. thanks for all the info from the posts above; Im assuming that the barndoor hood blocks more light (as payasam has said in another post) than say a round hood (is the canon S-42 round? rubber collapsible?).
Im getting the summitar for similar reasons to others: capturing the glow, or flare if you will. However, what I'd like to know is if the barndoor blocks TOO MUCH light so that there is less flare/glow.....and vice-versa, do the round and/or vented hoods prevent too little flare/glow?

 

[Bingley]

Yes, indeed, that's one clean Summitar!! My is in good nick, but not so clean as that. For a hood, I've discovered that the Canon clamp-on hood for the 50/1.8 works perfectly on a Summitar, so that's what I use, although I've also got the barn door shade. As for the lens, mine fits the profile: soft wide open, but sharp from f.4 on down, and the lower contrast gives great tones.

 

[Bingley]

Wide open:

 

[khc1013]

My new old Summitar will be arrive tomorrow. I will see how it's like. I am definitely going after the glow.

coolfotog: your does't look like 60 years old at all.

 

[colyn]

It is ridiculous that some Leica gadgets are going for more than some of the lenses and bodies... the adapter to put E39 filters on a Summitar can't be had for love nor money 🙂

I watched this SNHOO till it closed earlier this evening. Check out the USD price it sold for!!!! 😱 😱 😱

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-SNHOO-Filter-Adapter-from-E39-to-SUMMITAR-36mm_W0QQitemZ260567641399QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item3cab0aad37