raid
Dad Photographer
Raid,
I wish I knew, but I haven't got a clue. According to Princelle, the Jupiter-8 was made in Kiev-mount by KMZ from 1950 to 1955, when production switched to the Kiev Arsenal. The Jupiter-8M was introduced in 1957 with a recalculated, 6-element formula and click-stops. I have a '56 Kiev IIa with a '57 Arsenal-built Jupiter-8 -- assuming the 2-digit rule holds true.
So my black J-8M was made by Arsenal after all.
What was the number of elements in the original J-8 then?
Thanks for the info, Bill.
Your 56 numbered lens was made in 1956.