Canon or Jupiter?

[zauhar]

Hoping for the benefit of the collective wisdom here -

For about the same price (~$100), would you opt for a Canon 135 mm/f4, or a Jupiter 11 ?

I have read there is a lot of variability in the Russian lenses, but also see wonderful images taken with them.

Thanks, Randy

 

[ChEc]

Hi Randy! I would go for the Canon, for the very reason you mentioned (I own neither of them, but a reliable Canon 35mm/f2.8 and some moody Jupiter lenses).

 

[klapka]

What camera are you going to use them on?
Jupiter 11 is a wonderful lens but you need a Zorki for it. It won't work on Leica - incompatible gelikod.

Canon will do fine on Leica.

100$ for Jupiter 11!!! Crazy world! I live in Russia, Samara and it's usual price is 30$ here.

 

[zauhar]

What camera are you going to use them on?
Jupiter 11 is a wonderful lens but you need a Zorki for it. It won't work on Leica - incompatible gelikod.

Canon will do fine on Leica.

100$ for Jupiter 11!!! Crazy world! I live in Russia, Samara and it's usual price is 30$ here.

Actually the price on eBay is $50 (not so much more), but tack on $20 shipping from Russia and you get $70. The Canon is $100 from a dealer, and includes a return policy, so I consider the prices more or less "even".

This would be mounted on either Canon or Leica (with M adaptor).

Chris, thank for also responding.

At this point it looks like I should opt for the Canon.

Randy

 

[klapka]

Hi Randy! I would go for the Canon, for the very reason you mentioned (I own neither of them, but a reliable Canon 35mm/f2.8 and some moody Jupiter lenses).

You can put a russian m39 lens on Leica but it just won't work - you will never be able to focus since the incompatibility of it's gelikod. The focus can be adjusted for some certain distance 1m or 3m or any, but it will be sharp only on this distance.

So, you need a russian body (FED or Zorky) to use a russian m39 lens.

Or.. if you defenetly want a Jupiter on Leica (and since Jupiters are truly great when used on compatible cameras) you need to buy the one for Kiev-4 (with Contax mount) and an adapter contax-LTM (like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/Adorama-Contax-...Accessories&hash=item4aa86b832f#ht_3153wt_905) and this set will work precise. And you will see russian lens are sharp and wonderful.

 

[klapka]

Actually the price on eBay is $50 (not so much more), but tack on $20 shipping from Russia and you get $70. The Canon is $100 from a dealer, and includes a return policy, so I consider the prices more or less "even".

This would be mounted on either Canon or Leica (with M adaptor).

Chris, thank for also responding.

At this point it looks like I should opt for the Canon.

Randy

Yes, buy a Canon - M adaptor is usles with russian gelicodes and the more the focal length of the lens is the more evident it comes. You can shoot with Jupiter-3 on Leica and tell all around it is a soft lens at f1,5 (which is not really so) but it will do with 50mm and will not with 135mm (Jupiter-11) - with m-adaptor the focus will be 15 cm away from the point your m-body rangefinder says.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Go for a Canon 135/3.5 in Black. Much lighter than the 135/4, and probably cost less. The Canon 135/4 is early, somewhat collectible. The 135/3.5 is superior.

I was able to get a J-9 to focus properly over a range of 2m to 5m, wide-open. Lots of work, including shortening the focal length of the lens. The J-11 would be more difficult to bring into accurate alignment across range.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Forgot to add- My J-11 on my Contax III is beautiful. I have a two Nikkor 13.5cm F3.5 for the Contax ('C' on barrel). The J-11 is every bit as good. The optics module could be transplanted to another Leica mount, but this would be a lot of work.

 

[t6un]

Yes Canon's helicoid is a better match for Leica. Jupiter's rangefinder cam moves a little more for the same amount on the focusing scale. Jupiter also uses more dated double helicoid that is impossible to make as smooth as the newer design. And if that isn't enough: Jupiter's closest focusing distance is 2,5 meters.

 

[zauhar]

Brian, thanks for the detailed comments. Since I am not in this to collect but to use, maybe I will hold off until I find the f/3.5.

I should say that I don't see these for sale - the one on ebay has a rather high "buy it now" price -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Canon-135m...sFilters_JN&hash=item3f0873dc02#ht_563wt_1141

Thanks!

Randy