J-3's have gotten expensive

[colyn]

I've been watching ebay for a good condition J-3 in LTM. It seems the prices keep going up..

It's a good lens but $150 + $25 shipping puts it out of its value range..

 

[KoNickon]

I would say so. I'd get a Sonnar for not too much more instead.

 

[colyn]

I doubt I could find a LTM Sonnar cheap.

 

[Didier]

I doubt I could find a LTM Sonnar cheap.

The LTM 1.5/50 Sonnar and the LTM 1.4/50 Nikkor have always been quite sought after and usually sold around $400, and now got the same price tendency as the Jupiter-3 - straight upwards. One similar lens that can be found quite cheaper is the chrome LTM Canon 1.5/50.

Didier

 

[colyn]

One similar lens that can be found quite cheaper is the chrome LTM Canon 1.5/50.

Didier

I have a 50mm f/1.4 Canon LTM but have been wanting to get a J-3. Should have bought when they were cheap..

 

[ruben]

I am following the issue too in Kiev mount, but what frightens me (am I using good English?, if not then read "what fryies me") is to get a damaged one.

I guess I would run my chances had I seen a black version, but for months already - no black J-3 at the bay in Kiev mount.

What to do then ? I am going to test all my standards and find the best one vis a vis my superb Zuiko 1.8. Perhaps this will consolate me and save me money too.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[brachal]

I am following the issue too in Kiev mount, but what frightens me (am I using good English?, if not then read "what fryies me") is to get a damaged one.

I guess I would run my chances had I seen a black version, but for months already - no black J-3 at the bay in Kiev mount.

What to do then ? I am going to test all my standards and find the best one vis a vis my superb Zuiko 1.8. Perhaps this will consolate me and save me money too.

Cheers,
Ruben

Ruben,

frightens is correct 🙂 I like my Helios-103 so much, I've had no desire to get a Jupiter-3 in Kiev mount. My LTM Jupiter-3 is one of my favorites, though.

 

[outfitter]

Ruben,

frightens is correct 🙂 I like my Helios-103 so much, I've had no desire to get a Jupiter-3 in Kiev mount. My LTM Jupiter-3 is one of my favorites, though.

I agree with you. I have the J-3 in both mounts but somehow it never rises so far above the J-8, J-8M and Helios-103 to make much a fuss over.

I own three Sonnar 50/1.5 "cripples" (i.e. a prewar non-factory coated, a wartime T coat - collectible but not the best user because of wartime glass and primitive coating - and a slightly unsuccessfully separation repair on a late Stuttgart lens) and they all are wonderful and better than most Sonnar 50/2 lenses. IOW the differential between the f2 and f1.5 in Zeiss glass is greater than the difference between a J-8 and J-3.

The Helios is a kick-a planar but in LTM the J-3 is an incredible bargain which is why the FSU dealers are pushing it to non-bargain levels. The laws of supply and demand will inevitably kick in at whatever price level the dealers meet with sales resistance - they sure can't sell them in the FSU at those prices. Just wait and see who blinks first.

Michael

 

[raid]

I have a 50mm f/1.4 Canon LTM but have been wanting to get a J-3. Should have bought when they were cheap..

I have a 50mm f/1.5 J-3 LTM but have been wanting to get a Canon 50/1.5. Should have bought when they were cheap.😀

 

[ferider]

I have a 50mm f/1.4 Canon LTM but have been wanting to get a J-3. Should have bought when they were cheap..

The Canon 50/1.5 behaves very similar to a J-3, maybe nicer, it's a bit sharper at f2 and up. It's smaller and much better built. Before I got the C-Sonnar, my favorite 50 (and I use the 50/1.4 quite a bit).

Roland.

 

[dexdog]

The Canon 50/1.5 is a great lens, and certainly popular with some RFF members. One just disappeared on a eBay BIN. Looked real nice too.

I have two, and only keep two because I am paranoid of dropping it some day, and ruining my favorite 50mm lens

 

[ferider]

The Canon 50/1.5 is a great lens, and certainly popular with some RFF members. One just disappeared on a eBay BIN. Looked real nice too.

I have two, and only keep two because I am paranoid of dropping it some day, and ruining my favorite 50mm lens

Since about an hour I have two as well, Mark 🙂 Got to have a spare lens with a jewel like this ...

 

[rich815]

Get a J-8 and use a stop faster film. My J-8 is amazingly sharp and contrasty. Got it for $25 USD.

 

[raid]

I need to catch up with some people here and get me a clean Canon 50mm/1.5.

Raid

 

[vrgard]

I, too, love the Canon 50/1.5 and its Sonnar look. That's why I also have a J-3 - that great Sonnar look. Yet I'm not really using the Canon much due to having recently acquired a Summilux. With all this talk about wanting to find a nice, clean Canon 50/1.5 maybe I should consider letting mine go (although I do find it quite difficult to sell anything... which is why I keep hoarding gear that I'm not using, sigh).

Gee, Roland I might have been able to save you some shipping fees. And Raid, maybe we need to talk.

Sheesh, the mere thought of selling it is difficult...

-Randy

 

[gb hill]

I think everything related to gear has increased. I'm glad I got my J3 when I did , but I want a fast 35mm lens and they are certainly not cheap. But I do have a 35/2.5 color skopar and it's been pretty good thus far. I guess I could always use faster film.

 

[colyn]

Get a J-8 and use a stop faster film. My J-8 is amazingly sharp and contrasty. Got it for $25 USD.

I have the J-8 agree it is a sharp lens.

 

[ferider]

Randy: Well you know ... I was wondering why you needed the Canon AND the Lux.
You finally becoming a Leitz only guy !

Raid, go for it !

Roland.

 

[vrgard]

Randy: Well you know ... I was wondering why you needed the Canon AND the Lux.
You finally becoming a Leitz only guy !

Raid, go for it !

Roland.

Roland, you know me too well! And yeah, part of my rationalizing when I bought the Lux was that I could sell the Canon and offset at least part of it. Still, I just hate letting good glass go. You know what I mean after buying back that Nikkor lens you previously sold to me! 😉

-Randy

 

[zhang xk]

I just checked the big bay, and saw quite a few listed under $50. Did I miss something?

Zhang