Can you persuade me to buy a Jupiter-12?

[wolves3012]

I have two of these, one in Kiev-bayonet and one in LTM. Both are quite sharp with good contrast and colour rendition. For what they cost, I'm certainly not complaining! I'm sure there are better, more modern, lenses in 35mm but value-for-money on the J-12 is high. I've never been disappointed with shots from either of them (unless it was my own fault!).

 

[outfitter]

Got two Contax mount J-12s and one LTM. All are, to me, better than just "not bad"; I like the look. Don't' get hung up on "which lens is better" issues.

The biggest limit on your taking good photographs will be you not the lens. If you put a hackneyed amateur photograph next to a masterpiece the last thing anyone cares about is the resolution, contrast etc of the lens. Just remember all those immortal 19th century photgraphs were taken with lenses little better than the bottom of a glass Coke bottle!

 

[Papa Smurf]

Good Advice

Good Advice

.......Don't' get hung up on "which lens is better" issues.
................ Just remember all those immortal 19th century photographs were taken with lenses little better than the bottom of a glass Coke bottle!

Good advice for all of us. There are third party lenses out there that have cult following, not because they out scored all similar lenses in the MFT curves, but because they give a "look" to the photographs taken with them. As many others more experienced and more qualified than I to give advice have stated, "develop your style." If the J-12 will work for you then you have nothing to be ashamed of by using it. I have a J-12 and a J-8 on Canon L-1. They pleasantly surprise me with their performance. Someday, I would like to replace them with a couple of nice Canons, but, for now, they are just fine. Follow your heart, not your pride, even the big lens makers turn out individual copies that are less than the standard in performance. In other words, it is just a poker game, you lay down your money, betting that you are going to get a good hand, then you wait to see! 😕

 

[Santafecino]

Jupiter-12 pictures

Jupiter-12 pictures

I use the Jupiter-12 on my Kiev 2 and like the results. These are pictures of a January snowfall near the house and of an old rail car. They are all, I think, at f:2.8, and there is a little softness in the corners, but it may be focus. I think the J-12 will work when I'm finishing off my Kodachrome.