Adaptor for my jupiter 8 and R3A

[pesci]

hi

i just want to know what kind of lens adaptor i need to put my jupiter 8 on my Bessa R3A

 

[rover]

Yes, here is an example of one for a 28 or 90mm lens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30059&item=3880485191&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

On a Bessa you can use this adaptor because you manually select the framelines in the viewfinder. There are adaptors for other sets of framelines, including one for the 50/75 pair. If your camera automaticly selected the framelines, then the appropropiate adaptor would be needed.

If you want to get a specific adaptor I would suggest emailing this seller.

 

[tedwhite]

Is the Jupiter 8 any 'good'? Also, is it rangefinder coupled so that it will work on my Bessa R?

Ted

 

[Rex]

I am looking for this lens also....
I have the M42 mount version, and it produce good colour & bokeh,
however, my lens is scratch of the front element.... so i seldom use it.....
But it really very cheap!
So I am finding the M39 version and use it on my R3a!
In HongKong, it jast cost about US$50-$60, what a pretty cheap toy!

 

[tedwhite]

Rex: Your "poor" English is not so poor. As a former English professor who taught English to foreign students for two years, I have come to appreciate how difficult the Engllish language is to learn if you haven't grown up with it. For example, an unfortunate percentage of rules of grammar have exceptions to those rules. Worse, the English we have today is a motley crew of other languages, from Norse invaders to German seafarers to the Norman invasion, which infused latinates into the language, but unfortunately also brought with it latin-based grammar rules. Which don't work at all on English.

If I were forced to learn another language I'd pick Spanish, French, Italian or Portugese any day. They have rules, and the rules work.

But I digress. I am pleased to learn that the Jupiter 8 might be a lens to buy and use.

Ted

 

[rich815]

Any Leica LTM to M adapter will work. I have a Jupiter 8 I use on my RA3 and it works great and RF couples too. Gorgeous, amazingly sharp lens. And I paid too much! $40 USD! See my gallery for a few examples.

 

[Roman]

Ted, it will work, but be careful with it wide-open and close-up, since they were made to another than the Leica standard - your focussing will be off by a few inches under these circumstances...

Roman

 

[peter_n]

This may vary by lens. I have a J-8 on a Leica M6TTL and it focuses accurately both at infinity and close-up (wide-open). My lens is kind of odd because it has no "ears" on the aperture ring (see attached pic), I don't know if that means anything with respect to the focusing issue but it does focus properly.

 

[rich815]

Do J-8 lenses usually have "ears"? My black one doesn't.

 

[peter_n]

"Ears" is a term I have seen used by Russian sellers to describe the thin ridged grip on the front of the aperture ring. The J-8 in the attached pics has these raised ears/ridges, as do most lenses - never mind J-8s. Mine is completely smooth as the above pic shows - almost as if you're not supposed to change the aperture. Its a weird design. 🙄

 

[tedwhite]

Is the Jupiter 8 rangefinder coupled? Does it come in M39 and will it work (if rangefinder coupled) on my Bessa R?

 

[peter_n]

rich815 above says it is RF coupled and he is right. And it should work on your Bessa R too.

 

[tedwhite]

Thanks. I'll see if I can pick one up. Seems like a an economical alternative to the CV 50/2.5, which goes for something like $289. The Jupiter 8 I missed went for $20 and change.

OTOH, it's probably not of the same quality as the CV lens.

TED

(still waiting for the Bessa L and the 25/4 Skopar....)

 

[Scarpia]

The Jupiter 8 comes in 39mm LTM, is rangefinder coupled and works on any Bessa. Mine, a black one is very sharp but I have heard (on this forum) that quality can vary. As a rule they are soft wide open but become sharp at f4 or 5.6 which is the case with mine. They also have good bokeh wide open and are actually a copy of a Zeiss Sonar. Happy shooting
Kurt M.

 

[rich815]

As someone mentions below the quality can vary. Supposedly people buy two or three and keep one when they find a good one, then sell the others. Some say that's why you should avoid buying one from someone within the US or Europe as they may be selling off a lemon. That said, I bought mine from an American who listed it in a posting on the VC or LEica forum (I forget which) but he seemed honest and said it was a good one. Turns out it was. I paid a high price ($40 vs. typical $15-25) but it paid off. I love it.

Here's one from my gallery shot with the J8:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/6825/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

 

[Warren T.]

Ted,

One of the reasons that I bought my Bessa R was because I wanted a reliable, modern rf body to use with my J-8. I lucked out and got a good J-8 with clean glass, and it came with a working Zorki-4 attached to it 🙂

Here's a shot from my first test roll through the Bessa w/J-8. Don't remember exactly, but I think it was taken at either wide open aperture or close to it.

Warren

 

[tedwhite]

Warren:

That's an impressive photograph. Yes, it does look to be at maximum or near maximum aperture. Note the green cloth.

I've been playing with my new Bessa L and the 35/4 Skopar today. Takes a bit of getting used to.

I'm following a couple of J-8's on ebay. Is Ruscamera a reputable dealer? (If you know).

Regards,
Ted

 

[Warren T.]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with Ruscamera.

I can't wait to see some shots taken with your new L and 25/4 (I think it's a 25mm, right?). And also some more with your 35mm f2.5.

Warren

 

[tedwhite]

I can't wait, either. Now I'm tracking 4 J-8's. Wish I knew who was the most reputable dealer. They are all in either Russia or the Ukraine.

 

[peter_n]

Is Ruscamera a reputable dealer? (If you know).

Ted my Jupiter-8 is from ruscamera and its a good lens. Optically the same as most other descriptions - a bit soft wide open but lovely OOF. For $20-30 I think its a good buy. 🙂