Bessa R + Jupiter 8 Pictures

[JamesW]

I said in an earlier thread that I'd post some scans from the first roll shot with my new Bessa R and Jupiter 8, as some people said that they'd be interested to see the results. So here they are...

A few things to note:

1) This is only my second attempt at shooting with a rangefinder, so I might not have the technique and style down yet. Be gentle...

2) These were shot on Neopan CN, and scanned on a cheap BenQ flatbed.

3) The J8 is black, marked "Made in the USSR", and has a serial number starting 80xxx. I believe this means that it was manufactured in 1980?

As far as I can tell, the lens seems to focus properly!

Overall, I have been very impressed with the quality of this lens, which cost me around 15GBP, especially as I wouldn't have been able to afford to enter the wonderful world of Bessa shooting without it!

I've really enjoyed the experience of using this combination. I've shot two more rolls which I'm going to develop myself at the next available opportunity. I have shot a few test pics using every aperture on the lens which I will post when I can.

I can't log in to the gallery at the moment, but when this is resolved I'll put some more samples there.

I hope you like them/ find them informative!

 

[Terence T]

Hi James,

Nice effort. The scans probably need a bit more work but I like the composition. Pic #1 with the 2 scooters do look a tad oversharpened though.

 

[JoeFriday]

thanks for sharing! I have a nearly identical J8 that I'll be using with a Bessa R3A.. so your shots are very interesting to me

 

[Antonio Shalder]

I like the pictures and I am sure that they doesn't match the negative in quality. Jupiter-8 lenses are excellent when correctly colimated and good as any Sonnar should be. I have one from 1954 and its image quality is so high that I use it more than my Summicron 50. I'm not telling you that J8s are better than Summicrons, but they are *far* less expensive and the ilage quality , at least from mine, is very near.

Next time, try an Industar-61L/D. A good I-61L/D is not simple to obtain, but if you get a good sample, like new, this lens will surprise you. Far better than some much more expensive lenses.

 

[matu]

Hi James, nice set of pictures, you did very well scanning your prints, I agree that there is something left on the negs, but for a monitor is far ok.
The Jupiter 8 is known for its cute Bokeh, I think is an excellent lense for shooting people, I also agree with Antonio that the Industar 61 ld is an excellent lense, but for some people it has a very sharp bokeh that makes it ugly, I think it's a lense better suited for landscapes or architectural sharp pictures. I've learned that sharpness isn't what a photograph is all about.

Antonio, is good to see someone from South America arround, now I feel less lonely in this forum.

Pablo

 

[sockeyed]

You may notice some close-focus issues using a J-8 on a Bessa R as there is a slightly different distance from lens to film plane on FSU cameras than Leicas and Bessas. For example, I took a head on picture of my friend holding a Rolleiflex about 6" in front of this chest. While I focused on the Rollei, the actual focus was about 4" further away from me. This issue has been discussed on RFF before. It's not a big deal and is only apparent close up and wide open.

 

[JamesW]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The scans aren't great, but then I'm more of a 'wet' darkroom man!

I'm not sure if there is an issue with close focussing or not. I think we'll see with the test pictures I shot the other day (well as soon as I develop them!)

 

[Bertram2]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The scans aren't great, but then I'm more of a 'wet' darkroom man!
I'm not sure if there is an issue with close focussing or not. I think we'll see with the test pictures I shot the other day (well as soon as I develop them!)

I like the motorbike and the scooter, could be titeled "Glances" ! 😀
I use the same combo , no problem at close focus . Depends on the sample you have. Mine is a black one fro 1972 and it is working so fine that I thought about selling the bulky Nokton.

Best,
Bertram

 

[peter_n]

Great pics with the J-8 James! Yes your lens was made in 1980 and is an "export" model - supposedly higher quality than the ones with Cyrillic lettering. You need to register separately into the gallery with the same userID and password you use for this site.

 

[John Robertson]

When I was working part time in a local camera store about 10yrs ago, we couldn't give away J8's, and more than a few are now in a land fill site. I always knew mine was good so I kept a few mint ones which I have given to friends. I wish I had "rescued" a lot more of them. How times change!! :bang:

 

[snaggs]

Where can you get these lenses?

Daniel.

 

[John Robertson]

Sorry about the long URL but try here, I've bought from him and stuff was as advertised.
http://www.cameramate.com/cgi-bin/s...&session=4269b2215b01642b&L=eng&Category=6000

 

[John Robertson]

Another reliable source.
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=24&osCsid=25f57870f52549d36e225395010b07e4

 

[joeyjoe]

is the J8 rangefinder coupled for the bessas?

 

[John Robertson]

Yes, see posts above.

 

[robertdfeinman]

Jupiter 8 tests

Jupiter 8 tests

I bought a Jupiter 8 on ebay for about $60. The diaphragm had some oil on it, but other than that it was in very good condition.

After reading about focusing mismatches with the Bessa I ran some tests. I took pictures of a lens chart at about 3 feet.

I focused with the rangefinder as well as using a ruler and the focusing scale.
As far as I could tell there is no focus shift. Variations in sharpness were easily attributed to how accurately I could focus with the rangefinder as to anything else.

There have been some stories about quality control on Russian lenses and this may have led to some issues.

I'd say it's one of the true bargains around. I'd be a little cautious about buying direct from Russian or Ukraine. I paid a little more to get it from a USA source.

 

[John Robertson]

My Jupiter 12 has had a slight trace of oil on its blades for over 20yrs. No problems have occurred!

 

[tedwhite]

My recently acquired Jupiter 8 had a bit of oil on the blades but seems to work OK. I took some pics with it fastened to my Bessa R but haven't got them back yet. I also have a FED 2 and used the same lens. Got those back and the lens seems to produce a softer, less harsh picture with nice colors. As soon as I figure out the new gallery system I'll post a few. I paid something like $20 plus shipping for mine.

Ted

 

[Warren T.]

Thanks for posting your pics, James, it's looking good.

Warren

 

[Richard Black]

My standard set up on the Bessa R is the Jupiter 8, black version. Since the Jupiter 12 can't be used on the R and the 28mm is just a bit too wide for the majority of my shots, the J8 stays on. Pleased? Yes, this is the second I've owned.