Austintatious
Well-known
I started out with the J8. A nice lens IMHO. I have added the 35mm color Skopar also.
BESSA-R and Jupiter 8 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
Here is an image I made with the J8. Mostly use the Skopar now, J8 is on my FED 2.
Magnolia #2 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
BESSA-R and Jupiter 8 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
Here is an image I made with the J8. Mostly use the Skopar now, J8 is on my FED 2.
Magnolia #2 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
Cameron
seasick, yet still docked
Man, that must have been a mint J8. Awesome looking setup.I started out with the J8. A nice lens IMHO. I have added the 35mm color Skopar also.
BESSA-R and Jupiter 8 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
Here is an image I made with the J8. Mostly use the Skopar now, J8 is on my FED 2.
Magnolia #2 by carlosyashinon, on Flickr
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I think the consensus here is in favor of the J-8, with the I-61 as a contender. Of course the CV lenses are all nice too, just a bit more expensive.
I really like the J-8 more than the I-61. Although, I should say I don't own an I-61, just borrowed one for a bit. Comes down to personal preference. I think I see "Sonnar" when I use my J-8. Again, that could all be in my head. However, it is a tad faster and I use it at f2 often enough.
pdx... My Bessa R did come from Pro Photo. I got it at $150 because I was buying lots of other stuff as well. I consider it one of my best value purchases. I use that camera so much, and it is one of the least expensive of my "herd".
I think I looked at that 35/2.5. pdx, was yours a silver version?
One more thing about the Bessa R, it will keep you thinking about LTM lenses. I believe all my lenses are LTM (except one in M) mostly because I try to exploit the fullest capabilities of them among all my gear. I just use an adapter to put them on my M-mount gear. Thanks to CV, I have some very capable lenses in LTM. I also have some wonderful vintage lenses from Leitz, Canon, FSU, and 3rd party Japanese brands to choose from. My black-rim Summar (scourge of the Leitz lenses) sees a lot of use on the Bessa. By the way, those can be found for prices approaching the J-8, but I'd still get the J-8 if you're looking for your first lens.
I really like the J-8 more than the I-61. Although, I should say I don't own an I-61, just borrowed one for a bit. Comes down to personal preference. I think I see "Sonnar" when I use my J-8. Again, that could all be in my head. However, it is a tad faster and I use it at f2 often enough.
pdx... My Bessa R did come from Pro Photo. I got it at $150 because I was buying lots of other stuff as well. I consider it one of my best value purchases. I use that camera so much, and it is one of the least expensive of my "herd".
I think I looked at that 35/2.5. pdx, was yours a silver version?
One more thing about the Bessa R, it will keep you thinking about LTM lenses. I believe all my lenses are LTM (except one in M) mostly because I try to exploit the fullest capabilities of them among all my gear. I just use an adapter to put them on my M-mount gear. Thanks to CV, I have some very capable lenses in LTM. I also have some wonderful vintage lenses from Leitz, Canon, FSU, and 3rd party Japanese brands to choose from. My black-rim Summar (scourge of the Leitz lenses) sees a lot of use on the Bessa. By the way, those can be found for prices approaching the J-8, but I'd still get the J-8 if you're looking for your first lens.
ferider
Veteran
I vote against the J8 and for a good Canon 50/1.8 that you can have for around US 150, and that - in contrast to the typical J8 - will work out of the box and save you some frustration. And is much better built to boot.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I got one of those (Canon 50/1.8). I'm looking at it right now. It is a nicer performer than my J-8, but not that much. Definitely better built. Much better.
One thing I dislike about my Canon 50/1.8 is that darned 40mm filter thread (very uncommon size). Yes, I bought a stepping ring and put 40.5 hood on it. If I insert a UV (or other) filter in the stack, it starts to get unwieldy. The J-8 has the very common 40.5mm filter threads.
I do see Canon 50/1.8 going for as little as $150 these days, but often a bit more. I sometimes see Elmars (50/3.5) going for as little as $150 too, but usually more. My Elmar is sharp, but 3.5 is a tad slow. I also worry about collapsible lenses on the Bessa.
The original poster can get into his/her rangefinder for cheap with a J-8, start making images and generally be happy with using a rangefinder in short order (I can relate) then pursue a lens with nicer performance characteristics at their leisure. There should be no problem finding an adequate J-8 right now. You might have to search and wait for a Canon 50/1.8 at $150. The J-8 should not cost more than $100. I haven't checked with Yuri (Fedka.com) lately, but I know that if you purchase a J-8 (or even I-61) from him, it will be good. And, it will come from New York. Assuming the original poster is North American, that means the lens will arrive quickly and without *any* uncertainty of buying from an "unknown" seller, regardless of whether they're in the former Soviet Union or not.
Just checked Fedka.com: chrome J-8 $73.50, black J-8 72.50. The I-61 is $49.00. For some reason, he wants $289.00 for a chrome J-3 -- that's too much in my opinion.
One thing I dislike about my Canon 50/1.8 is that darned 40mm filter thread (very uncommon size). Yes, I bought a stepping ring and put 40.5 hood on it. If I insert a UV (or other) filter in the stack, it starts to get unwieldy. The J-8 has the very common 40.5mm filter threads.
I do see Canon 50/1.8 going for as little as $150 these days, but often a bit more. I sometimes see Elmars (50/3.5) going for as little as $150 too, but usually more. My Elmar is sharp, but 3.5 is a tad slow. I also worry about collapsible lenses on the Bessa.
The original poster can get into his/her rangefinder for cheap with a J-8, start making images and generally be happy with using a rangefinder in short order (I can relate) then pursue a lens with nicer performance characteristics at their leisure. There should be no problem finding an adequate J-8 right now. You might have to search and wait for a Canon 50/1.8 at $150. The J-8 should not cost more than $100. I haven't checked with Yuri (Fedka.com) lately, but I know that if you purchase a J-8 (or even I-61) from him, it will be good. And, it will come from New York. Assuming the original poster is North American, that means the lens will arrive quickly and without *any* uncertainty of buying from an "unknown" seller, regardless of whether they're in the former Soviet Union or not.
Just checked Fedka.com: chrome J-8 $73.50, black J-8 72.50. The I-61 is $49.00. For some reason, he wants $289.00 for a chrome J-3 -- that's too much in my opinion.
ferider
Veteran
Due to the Fuji X10, 40mm filters are now widely available.
And yes, Yuri (Fedka) is a great seller. And he will collimate a J8 to work properly at infinity. But most J8 copies are calibrated to Contax standard and won't work properly at close focus.
Roland.
And yes, Yuri (Fedka) is a great seller. And he will collimate a J8 to work properly at infinity. But most J8 copies are calibrated to Contax standard and won't work properly at close focus.
Roland.
mretina
Well-known
J-3 has become kind of cult. Given the risk of not good copies, it is in my opinion not worth because at that price you can get a lot of stuff in LTM. I think for a J-8 / I61 you should spend 30-40 USD. I have two J-8s and I paid less than that for both.
I am very keen on russian gear, but at around USD 100 i would definitely look for a 50/1.8 canon (150 USD) - it is a next level up both in terms of construction, performance and a piece of rangefinder history - although they are not easy to find in very clean condition/ no front lens marks.
I am very keen on russian gear, but at around USD 100 i would definitely look for a 50/1.8 canon (150 USD) - it is a next level up both in terms of construction, performance and a piece of rangefinder history - although they are not easy to find in very clean condition/ no front lens marks.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Ah, hooray for the Fuji X10! I would love it if 40mm filters and hoods (am I dreaming now?) became easier to find. Are the new ones Fuji branded? Any leads on where to find? Thanks.
I'm aware the J-3 is becoming a cult item. Most of us know that it's a copy of CZJ Sonnar 50/1.5. A great lens, so I'm told. The funny thing is I can find the real thing (Sonnars) for just over $300 (usually a bit more). Why pay nearly $300 for an aluminum copy that has a reputation of spotty quality control when I can get a real one? My guess is Yuri wouldn't sell a bad apple, but still...market dynamics, I suppose.
I don't remember what I paid for my J-8 or any other Russian lens, but I wouldn't feel bad paying $73.50 for a Fedka J-8. It will work nicely or Yuri will send you another that does. He's very good about that.
As for those $150 Canon 50/1.8 lenses. I just don't see many of those. I keep my eye out too. I got lucky with mine. It came attached to a Canon IIF that "didn't work" so bargain priced at $50. I rarely come across such deals, but very happy my luck was with me that day. Happened to have $50 cash in my pocket (that's unusual!). Anyway, seems the typical price for a clean Canon 50/1.8 is usually higher than $150. Last one I looked at was $225. Funny thing is these old Japanese LTM lenses used to be very inexpensive. Then along came m4/3 and Nex...
I'm aware the J-3 is becoming a cult item. Most of us know that it's a copy of CZJ Sonnar 50/1.5. A great lens, so I'm told. The funny thing is I can find the real thing (Sonnars) for just over $300 (usually a bit more). Why pay nearly $300 for an aluminum copy that has a reputation of spotty quality control when I can get a real one? My guess is Yuri wouldn't sell a bad apple, but still...market dynamics, I suppose.
I don't remember what I paid for my J-8 or any other Russian lens, but I wouldn't feel bad paying $73.50 for a Fedka J-8. It will work nicely or Yuri will send you another that does. He's very good about that.
As for those $150 Canon 50/1.8 lenses. I just don't see many of those. I keep my eye out too. I got lucky with mine. It came attached to a Canon IIF that "didn't work" so bargain priced at $50. I rarely come across such deals, but very happy my luck was with me that day. Happened to have $50 cash in my pocket (that's unusual!). Anyway, seems the typical price for a clean Canon 50/1.8 is usually higher than $150. Last one I looked at was $225. Funny thing is these old Japanese LTM lenses used to be very inexpensive. Then along came m4/3 and Nex...
ferider
Veteran
I can recommend Marumi 40mm filters. 40mm hoods are available from non-brand sellers, sometimes together with filter. For instance, 150858938008@ebay, or similar. That being said, I still use 40->Series VI filter and hood, since I have some good series VI filters for other lenses, too.
Agree with you on the 150$ Canon lenses: one has to be patient. I just got another one a couple of weeks ago, 261184931664@ebay. More often than not they run for more, though.
Cheers,
Roland.
Cameron
seasick, yet still docked
Happy to say that I have a setup now. Bessa-R w/ I61LD 53/2.8 - will invest in a Color Skopar or Canon when the time comes.
Thank you all for your tremendous help.
Thank you all for your tremendous help.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
Another vote for the Canon 50mm f1.8.
It has several advantages over the J8:
- MUCH better build quality
- Comparable or maybe a bit better optically, and doesn't need to be adjusted to focus accurately at close range, as do many J8's
- The aperture ring turns in the same direction as the indicating arrows in the VF. In the J8 it is reversed
- The aperture ring stays put when focusing, unlike the black J8
- The aperture ring has clickstops
If you are looking at a black barrelled Canon 1.8, be careful of internal haze. This often cannot be cleaned; as far as I know that particular problem does not occur with the older chrome barrelled ones.
Cheers,
Dez
It has several advantages over the J8:
- MUCH better build quality
- Comparable or maybe a bit better optically, and doesn't need to be adjusted to focus accurately at close range, as do many J8's
- The aperture ring turns in the same direction as the indicating arrows in the VF. In the J8 it is reversed
- The aperture ring stays put when focusing, unlike the black J8
- The aperture ring has clickstops
If you are looking at a black barrelled Canon 1.8, be careful of internal haze. This often cannot be cleaned; as far as I know that particular problem does not occur with the older chrome barrelled ones.
Cheers,
Dez
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