best FSU lens 28-50 mm in LTM?

[nzeeman]

multiple choices allowed. my votes for i22 and jupiter 12

 

[RML]

Remind me again, which one is the collapsible 50?

The j8 is IMO the absolute best of the bunch.
The collapsible 50 is another favourite of mine, simply because it's a nice lens and collpasible is cool. 🙂

The j12 35mm flares too much in my experience. Mine is pretty sharp but consistently flares, even in situations where you wouldn't expect it. I guess it needs a hood, even though the lens is already deeply recessed.

 

[pvdhaar]

There seem to be a number of 50mm options, and but a single 35mm (j12). Aren't there any more FSU 35s, or are these just not listed? Same for the 28s.. Just asking cause I'm curious..

 

[nzeeman]

here u have list of FSU lenses in m39
http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmrangefindercameras/lenses/index.htm

 

[nzeeman]

industar 22 is colapsible one.

 

[lubitel]

never heard anything of jupiter 17, whats that like?

 

[Kim Coxon]

From the list, it was an "experimental production" lens. I would assume it's a bit irrelevant as you are unlikely ever to use one.

Kim

never heard anything of jupiter 17, whats that like?

 

[peterc]

I'm kinda partial to the J-8 ... but the unmentioned Industar 26m isn't bad either.

Peter

 

[rbiemer]

I like the J-8 quite a lot. It is slightly faster than my othe 50mm lenses and significantly lighter than the CV 50mm I have. The Industar-50 is my 50mm of choice when I'm carrying the Zorki 3m(and it shares filters with my Leitz 90mm) as it makes for a very compact package.
Rob

 

[reagan]

Jupiter.8 & Orion.15

Jupiter.8 & Orion.15

Jupiter.8 & Orion.15 are my easy choices since that's the two I grab for the most. I like the I.50 or I.22 if I want something slim to go in a small bag/pocket, but it's rare occasions that I need that. The J.12 is definately a winner, absolutely no complaints, but when I decide for something wider than 50mm, 8 out of 10 times I'll skip it and pick up the Orion.

I have no experience with the I.61 or J.3 ..... yet

 

[xayraa33]

the J-8 is best on:

price & availability
the "look " it gives to a photograph
ample speed for most situations
uses 40.5 mm filters not 40mm or 39mm
its lightweight

 

[taffer]

the J-8 is best on:

price & availability
the "look " it gives to a photograph
ample speed for most situations
uses 40.5 mm filters not 40mm or 39mm
its lightweight

My vote as well for those reasons, plus:

less % of getting a dog lens

 

[matti]

I like the feel of the Industar 61/LD more than the Jupiter 8. Allso, when you don't have a meter in the camera it is a bit difficult not to have clickstops for the aperture, as it change easy. (Ok, I shoot with big gloves this time of the year...)
/matti

 

[wilt]

Jupiter 8 because of the look: tonality, bokeh.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, I guess no one will guess who voted for the J-3.

Once adjusted, a good, cheap, fast lens.

 

[Kim Coxon]

~Hi Brian,
In mny ways, I would agree with you. Other great points are the compact size and same 40.5mm filter thread. The only reason I went for the J8 is that it is so very difficult to get a good J3 at a sensible price that doesn't need all sorts of collimation work on it. If you are happy to do this, go for the J3, if not the J8 is easier to sort.

Kim

Well, I guess no one will guess who voted for the J-3.

Once adjusted, a good, cheap, fast lens.

 

[Richard Black]

I voted for the J12 because I love its look. It can't be used on my Bessa R but on the Mir and Leica IIIc it is great. The J8 is equally as photographically good, but there is something special about the J12 I have. I was lucky. Now, I am not a lines/mm kinda guy, but I use it for the "old time look", like what I got when I was young.

 

[arothaus]

never heard anything of jupiter 17, whats that like?

Hello,

of the Jupiter-17 only prototypes exist. It should become a cheaper alternative to the Jupiter-8.

My favourite M39 lenses are the Jupiter-8 and the Orion. My favourite FSU rangefinder lens is the J-3 (I have a 1952 in Kiev-Mount).

regards,
Andreas

 

[raid]

I voted for the J3 after Brian adjusted it. Great little lens with excellent sharpness.

 

[FrankS]

Using the Jupiter VIII & Jupiter XII:

VIII: 5cm f2 - robust collapsible Sonnar design with metal fittings. It is a lens on the same plane as the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm f2 for its textural rendition of tones. As an uncoated lens, it surprisingly doesn't flare as badly as its' partner here. It's stepless aperture ring is very fine and requires fine attention to control. In this respect, it ressembles the Carl Zeiss lens down to its ergonomics.

XII:35mm f2.8 The design with the bulbous rear element protrusion is a liability when changing lenses. It's taken some time for me to find a lens with an unmarked rear element lens. The rangefinder base for the lens is strikingly long, and perhaps, lacking in smoothness from close focussing: 0.9 - 1.15metres is very tight and hard finger wheel work to focus. The inconsistency of the focussing tension from infinity to minimum distance perhaps is a reflection of the sample I use, and not a general finding...

The black metal looks like plastic! Although the build is metal, it doesn't have the chrome solidity of the above. With respect to the aperture ring, also recessed into the lens hood, this is very awkward for rapid use. Although the sample I use is multi-coated (strong purple and blue coatings) , it still flares more than the 5cm Sonnar clone.

As a rigid lens, it also doesn't fit the particular camera case I've adapted for use.

An excellent performer in its own right, although nowhere near the legendary Biogon in design....

Just a few glitches, RJ:
you list the J8 as a collapsible Sonnar clone, but it's not collapsible
you list metal fittings, but all of these lenses have metal fittings
earlier J8s may be uncoated, but later ones are coated

when talking about the J12, when you say: The rangefinder base for the lens is strikingly long, do you mean the focus throw of the lens? The smoothness of the focus comment is obviously applicable only on an individual basis, not as a general statement for this type of lens.

Not meaning to be nit-picky, just mentioned for the sake of accuracy. 🙂