RichSnaps
Newbie
Thanks everyone!
There seems to be a large number of Jupiter 8s on ebay (mainly from russia) but not much in the way of Canons and Noktons?
I would imagine ebay will be the main source for these lenses?
There seems to be a large number of Jupiter 8s on ebay (mainly from russia) but not much in the way of Canons and Noktons?
I would imagine ebay will be the main source for these lenses?
venchka
Veteran
See a pattern here? The all chrome Canon Serenar 50/1.8 is a very very good lens. More expensive than the FSU lenses and rightfully so. It is better. Less expensive than modern lenses which seem overpriced next to the Canon.
Wayne
Lss
Well-known
I can also vote for the Canon 50/1.8. Some of the eBay prices are unreasonably high, but a good deal can be found with a little patience. I have no experience with the Jupiters, but I do have a Summicron. The Canon is a good lens.
kermaier
Well-known
Take the Canon 50/1.8 over the Jupiter -- you're far more likely to have focus issues with the Jupiter, and there's no contest in build quality. As an all-around lens, I'd say the Canon is in the same league as a Summicron of similar vintage. In the under-$300 group, the Canon f/1.8 is the clear price-performer.
If you can go up to $500, you have far more choices, and can start making trade-offs between size, weight, minumum focus distance, optical signature, etc. In the $300-$500 group, good choices include: CV Nokton f/1.5, M-Hexanon f/2, CV Skopar f/2.5, Summicron collapsible, Canon f/1.5, Canon f/1.4, Nikkor-H.C f/2, Nikkor-S.C f/1.4, Elmar f/2.8.
::Ari
If you can go up to $500, you have far more choices, and can start making trade-offs between size, weight, minumum focus distance, optical signature, etc. In the $300-$500 group, good choices include: CV Nokton f/1.5, M-Hexanon f/2, CV Skopar f/2.5, Summicron collapsible, Canon f/1.5, Canon f/1.4, Nikkor-H.C f/2, Nikkor-S.C f/1.4, Elmar f/2.8.
::Ari
kermaier
Well-known
BTW, I think the RFF classifieds currently have on offer multiple examples of the Canon f/1.8, CV Nokton f/1.5, CV Skopar f/2.5, Canon f/1.4, M-Hex f/2. In fact, I see one seller offering 3 of the above lenses. Even if you don't see what you want on offer, I'd bet a want-to-buy ad with a couple of choices would bear fruit in short order.
Cheers,
Ari
Cheers,
Ari
PatrickT
New Rangefinder User
I guess I'll be the only one so far to say the Canon 50/1.4 LTM. I LOVE that lens.
umcelinho
Marcelo
classic look: chrome Canon LTM 50/1.8
modern look: Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5
modern look: Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5
venchka
Veteran
No doubt. But it is a notch or two up the price scale.
OP: Bear in mind that "cheap" is often just that. Cheap.
Economical is what you are after. Quality and premium performance at a reduced price relative to "high priced brands." Buy quality once should be your motto.
Wayne
kermaier
Well-known
It's one of the few Canon LTM lenses I've never tried.
However, since I've tried and enjoyed the 50/1.2, 50/1.8, 50/1.5 sonnar and 50/2 collapsible -- I would expect the 50/1.4 to be excellent as well.I will say though, that since the OP is shooting film, it may be worth noting that the Canon 50/1.4 uses easy-to-find 48mm filters, whereas the 50/1.8 uses PITA-to-find 40mm filters.
::Ari
PatrickT
New Rangefinder User
kermaier
Well-known
On the other hand, the Canon hoods for the 40mm-filter lenses typically include Series VI adapters for drop-in filters, so that's not an insurmountable problem.
Pioneer
Veteran
Obviously, since it has not yet been mentioned, the Leitz Elmar 50 f3.5 is not a favorite, but I personally have found it to be very, very nice. I use this lens a lot on my Leica IIIc and M6. It also tends to be relatively inexpensive on the bay as well as other sources, like KEH.
Brian Legge
Veteran
40mm-40.5mm filter adapters are also cheaply and common on Ebay.
Personally I'd decide between a Canon 50mm/1.8 (safest option) and a Jupiter 8 (cheaper, but less less consistent). The collapsible FSU lenses can be great but may not be good fit for an R3A. A rigid Industar may be a good option as well though I haven't used one personally.
Those options would get you set up for $100-200 (for the adapter plus lens). Don't cheap out on an LTM->adapter - go with a Leica or Voigtlander one. I've tried a few others and had focusing issues with all of them where lenses wouldn't go to infinity, went way beyond it and failed to close focus correctly, etc.
Personally I'd decide between a Canon 50mm/1.8 (safest option) and a Jupiter 8 (cheaper, but less less consistent). The collapsible FSU lenses can be great but may not be good fit for an R3A. A rigid Industar may be a good option as well though I haven't used one personally.
Those options would get you set up for $100-200 (for the adapter plus lens). Don't cheap out on an LTM->adapter - go with a Leica or Voigtlander one. I've tried a few others and had focusing issues with all of them where lenses wouldn't go to infinity, went way beyond it and failed to close focus correctly, etc.
raid
Dad Photographer
It's one of the few Canon LTM lenses I've never tried.
I will say though, that since the OP is shooting film, it may be worth noting that the Canon 50/1.4 uses easy-to-find 48mm filters, whereas the 50/1.8 uses PITA-to-find 40mm filters.
::Ari
The Canon 50/1.4 is superb, Ari.
grapejohnson
Well-known
+1 for Industar 61 and J8. My I61 is the 10 blade version. It's my favorite lens. Jupiter 8 is also amazing.
Both can be had together for like $60
venchka
Veteran
Look here...........
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=36784
A nice selection and price range.
Wayne
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=36784
A nice selection and price range.
Wayne
kermaier
Well-known
raid
Dad Photographer
I am tempted to buy a Hexanon 50/2.4. It looks beautiful, and it is claimed to be very sharp.
stratcat
Well-known
I own the Jupiter 8, Nokton f/1.5, Canon f/1.4 and f/1.8.
Out of those I'd have to vote for the Canon f/1.8 as the best combination of build quality, image quality, size and weight.
Out of those I'd have to vote for the Canon f/1.8 as the best combination of build quality, image quality, size and weight.
paradoxbox
Well-known
IMO if you want the best built 50 at the lowest price without focus issues, get yourself an Amedeo adapter for Contax mount, and buy yourself a Jupiter-8 meant for Kiev-4's.
Jupiter 8's for Kiev's are made out of steel and have no focus helicoid inside the lens so they won't backfocus, and they are made of very durable, well built steel. The Kiev Jupiter-8's are also cheaper on ebay. The expensive part is the Amedeo adapter but you may be able to find a cheaper one on ebay.
By the way, I think the Jupiter backfocus issue is overrated, Jupiter lenses can be collimated very simply by opening them up (Simply unscrew the two pieces apart), sticking in a piece of paper or aluminum foil, then shutting it closed again and locking it with a bit of low strength loc-tite to keep it together. The sonnar lens already has the focus shift problem anyway, you can't get accurate coverage at all distances at F1.5 with the sonnar. With the Jupiter-8 at f2 I don't even think focus shift is an issue.
Jupiter 8's for Kiev's are made out of steel and have no focus helicoid inside the lens so they won't backfocus, and they are made of very durable, well built steel. The Kiev Jupiter-8's are also cheaper on ebay. The expensive part is the Amedeo adapter but you may be able to find a cheaper one on ebay.
By the way, I think the Jupiter backfocus issue is overrated, Jupiter lenses can be collimated very simply by opening them up (Simply unscrew the two pieces apart), sticking in a piece of paper or aluminum foil, then shutting it closed again and locking it with a bit of low strength loc-tite to keep it together. The sonnar lens already has the focus shift problem anyway, you can't get accurate coverage at all distances at F1.5 with the sonnar. With the Jupiter-8 at f2 I don't even think focus shift is an issue.