Bessa R on the way. Which cheap 50

[AOI Photo]

Well I've loved using my Kiev for a while, but finally decided I needed something that had parallax correction and ordered a Bessa R. I'vew just quit my job to go back to school so money is tight. I'm going to start witha cheap Soviet 50, and It will either be an Industar 61ld or a Jupiter 8. I wish the Kievs beautiful Helios was available in LTM as it is my favoprite lens I've ever had in any camera, but oh well.

I know I'll eventually need both, but this month only one is in budget what would people recomend and why?

 

[theunconquered]

I noticed my Jupiter 8 has very little contrast when shooting B&W (too little for my personal taste), but my understanding is that it's a bit of a crap shoot with these lenses. There's one B&W photo in my gallery with the Jupiter 8 and one in color if you're interested.

 

[theunconquered]

Oops, I take that back. I removed the B&W image, but the color one is still there.

 

[wlewisiii]

Jupiter 8 is what I'd get in that position as I consider it a more versatile lens. The I-61 sometimes has too much contrast for my tastes. That said, either is a great lens. If you have not already read this thread - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20666
The I-61 & J-8 both hold up well against some healthy competition.

William

 

[back alley]

just from what i have read/seen around here, i would go with the j-8.

joe

 

[peterc]

I use a J8 (chrome or black _ black looks nice on my black R).

Peter

 

[kmack]

You may be able to afford both 😀
I like the J8 on my Bessa R, it would be a good choice. You may also cast around for an older Canon lens. I got a great Canon 50/1.8 from Kim and I love it on my Bessa.

BTW: there is a Canon 50/1.9 in the classifeds now, I don't know if it is in your price range but it would be a good lens on the Bessa
.
The collapsable Fed lenses will also work on the Bessa, just collapse it slowly and make sure it does not hit the sensor.

 

[jonasv]

I love the J-8 on my Bessa... The extra stop is great, plus, I think the J-8 is closer to the Helios-103 than the I-61.

 

[lubitel]

I would go with j-8. I really like it and f2.0 is also very usefull in av.light. I havent been that impressed with my i-61.

 

[wrenhunter]

I've had good luck with a J-8 on my Bessa R. I recommend it.

 

[AOI Photo]

Okay. It sound like the J-8 is the way to go then. Thanks everyone.




{EDIT}Have just Ordered a J-8 from Fedka. Now I just hope the R and the lens arrive the same day so I'm not holding the camera in agony waiting for the lens or vie versa

 

[AOI Photo]

Well the lens arrived first.
I noticed the fstops are off. I can open up to below where the lens reads f2 and stop down only to where it reads f11. Clearly the labeled stops are off. Now I just need the camera so I can figure out how much. Waiting is just so hard.

 

[wlewisiii]

If it's off, email Yuri right away. He'll get you a different one and you won't have to figure out what's incorrectly adjusted. I know he'll do right by you.

William

 

[peterc]

I can open up to below where the lens reads f2 and stop down only to where it reads f11.

If it's a chrome J8, that's pretty easy to fix. Set the aperture wide open. Loosen the three set screws and line up the 2 with the indicator line (taking care not to change the aperture), then tighten the set screws.

Peter

 

[AOI Photo]

If it's off, email Yuri right away. He'll get you a different one and you won't have to figure out what's incorrectly adjusted. I know he'll do right by you.

William

I have no doubt he would. I've delt with him before, and it has always been wonderful. The problem is I'll need the lens for a course starting June fifth(going back to school at 30) , so I don't have time to send it off, wait for him to get it, and then wait for the replacement to arrive.

 

[AOI Photo]

If it's a chrome J8, that's pretty easy to fix. Set the aperture wide open. Loosen the three set screws and line up the 2 with the indicator line (taking care not to change the aperture), then tighten the set screws.

Peter

Alas it is a black one 🙁

 

[wlewisiii]

I have no doubt he would. I've delt with him before, and it has always been wonderful. The problem is I'll need the lens for a course starting June fifth(going back to school at 30) , so I don't have time to send it off, wait for him to get it, and then wait for the replacement to arrive.

Email him tonight. Tell him that. I'll bet you he'll send one to you before you have to send the other back. If not, on Wednesday May 31, 2006, I will overnight to you a known good Jupiter 8.

Deal?

William

 

[peterc]

Alas it is a black one 🙁

Haven't taken my black J8 apart yet (and since it's working fine it's probably a good thing I don't have any plans to delve into its inner working) so I can't give any input from experience on black J8 repair.

Peter

 

[AOI Photo]

Email him tonight. Tell him that. I'll bet you he'll send one to you before you have to send the other back. If not, on Wednesday May 31, 2006, I will overnight to you a known good Jupiter 8.

Deal?

William

Wow what an icredible offer.

I've e-mailed him and will let you know.

To anyone who might read this and not have ordered from Yuri/Fedka He is fantastic to deal with so don't let this put you off.

 

[wlewisiii]

It's easy to make the offer. There is no better FSU seller in the world right now. There are more than a few who come really close, but I'll always stick to Yuri. He's done really well by me, so I owe him.

for me, I've gotten some utterly unreal things from him (my 4a, Iskra, Moskva & I-22) so if I have to pick up for him, well, I am still ahead of the game... 🙂

William