Jupiter 12 for my IIIf?

[Robert Lai]

Go buy the Summaron instead. Much better edge to edge resolution, flare resistant, and no distortion. The one example of the J12 that I had showed noticeable wavy distortion. Shoot any architecture with this lens, and you will wish you never bought it. The setting of the aperture is a pain also.

 

[Dez]

Then again, maybe the solution is just to use your CV lens. It's probably a better optic than any being discussed here.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[rfaspen]

OK, going back to the original post, I see that Traveler101 has the CV lens and is looking for a little *less* contrast. Hence the consideration of the J-12.

I continue to think the Summaron works well for that. You could also look to one of the Canon LTM 35's for the same. I think the Canon 35/2.8 was mentioned above and would fit your need well. The price for that lens wouldn't be that much more than J-12s are being offered these days (prices too high), but should be less than a Summaron.

The J-12 is a fiddly lens to use. Yes, it likely has lower contrast as you want and potentially sharp at the same time, but I think it would disappoint you in terms of handling now that you've used the CV 35/2.5.

Canon.

 

[traveler_101]

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments and suggestions. I hate to be the bearer of real time news, but . . . here is what I've found price wise: three Canon 35/2.8 lenses on e-bay, ranging in price from $346 to $387. The Summaron 35/3.5 can be had for $50 more or around $400-450, roughly. Someone mentioned FEDKA.com in New York. Yuri, the owner, has four J-12s listed there ranging in price from $125 to $155.

Prices are high. I only paid around $250 for the Color Skopar three years ago. i am beginning to think that Dez is right:

Then again, maybe the solution is just to use your CV lens. It's probably a better optic than any being discussed here.
Cheers,
Dez

 

[Monochrom]

i love the J12!!!

It has some distortion at the edges, but´s fine!

 

[Scrambler]

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments and suggestions. I hate to be the bearer of real time news, but . . . here is what I've found price wise: three Canon 35/2.8 lenses on e-bay, ranging in price from $346 to $387. The Summaron 35/3.5 can be had for $50 more or around $400-450, roughly. Someone mentioned FEDKA.com in New York. Yuri, the owner, has four J-12s listed there ranging in price from $125 to $155.

Prices are high. I only paid around $250 for the Color Skopar three years ago. i am beginning to think that Dez is right:

I paid about $35 for my J-12, straight off the Bay, about 3 years ago. I see prices are upwards of $80 now. $330 seems about the floor for ebay Color Skopar 35mm at the moment. In dollars, your Color-Skopar has risen more than my J-12.

How about putting up a "wanted" advertisement in the classifieds? Someone is bound to have a J-12 they don't use any more. They may well part with it for nearer 2011 prices than 2014.

 

[02Pilot]

Can't speak to the Summaron prices, but the Canon lenses don't always cost that much. I got my chrome 35/2.8 from eBay recently, clean and fully functional with the finder and case for around $200. The 35/3.2 and 35/3.5 Canon variants are often even less.

All that said, using your CV lens doesn't really seem like a bad option at all.

 

[traveler_101]

Youxin Ye has a CLA'd Summaron in beautiful condition for sale. Classic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221364556189

 

[rfaspen]

That's a real nice summaron. I guess that with a recent CLA (from YY) and such nice condition, its worth the asking price. I tend to see summarons in the $300-400 range and rarely above that (except the crazy ebay sellers). But, that's without recent CLA and such nice cosmetics so maybe that's one to nab? It sure looks to be in fantastic condition.
If you're willing to live with a "dirty" lens while saving up for the CLA, I'd post a want ad here in RFF. I found a perfectly good user summaron here with a want ad less than a year ago -- $300-ish (can't remember exactly).

 

[traveler_101]

I just love these beautiful, well thought out and nicely crafted Leitz lenses. They're gorgeous. Zeiss eat your heart out. I would love to grab the one YY has for sale. Is it worth it? I would say, yes, for a lens in such perfect condition, and after all his labor also has to be paid for. It's worth it and it's a good investment since these are likely to increase in value . . .but you have the money to buy it. For me such expenditures come only with some sacrifice.

Seems like we have deviated a bit in this thread . . . not sure this belong in the FSU forum.

 

[Fotohuis]

So far I have several Jupiter and Industar lenses. But I also have a complete set of Leica optics.
If you have a good Jupiter-12 there is not many distorsion and the lens should be sharp. About the handling in focus and aperture ring you can discuss. Comparing with my Elmarit it still is a good lens. Same like the Jupiter-8 which can be even excellent.
I have done some tests on micro film and for it's price quality it is a great lens. But the prices in Holland or Germany for an Industar L/D resp. J-8 or J-12 are EUR. 10, EUR. 30 and EUR. 50. to say what I have paid for them last year.
But the C.V. F/2,5-35mm Pancake is the best 35mm C.V. Lens.

 

[traveler_101]

So far I have several Jupiter and Industar lenses. But I also have a complete set of Leica optics.
If you have a good Jupiter-12 there is not many distorsion and the lens should be sharp. About the handling in focus and aperture ring you can discuss. Comparing with my Elmarit it still is a good lens. Same like the Jupiter-8 which can be even excellent.
I have done some tests on micro film and for it's price quality it is a great lens. But the prices in Holland or Germany for an Industar L/D resp. J-8 or J-12 are EUR. 10, EUR. 30 and EUR. 50. to say what I have paid for them last year.
But the C.V. F/2,5-35mm Pancake is the best 35mm C.V. Lens.

Thanks for your report; i know you are very knowledgable. Did you acquire these lenses in shops in the Netherlands or on e-bay?

 

[Fotohuis]

ATP1.1 in RLC, Zorki 4K + J-12 by Fotohuis (Robert), on Flickr

J-12 on ATP1,1 micro film (iso 20) in RLC 1+5 6:30 minutes at 20C.

The Zeiss biogon type has a deep last element and the assembly of this type lens is critical so if you have a less good assy you will have distortion however a good one has minimum distortion.

I am buying in Holland, Germany or Ukraine normally via any analogue photo forum.
Further you have to know that the original Russian lubricants were not very good and in a simple lens assy like a Industar-61 L/D you can clean and re-do it yourself without too many risk.

The J-8 can be also very good even on F/2,0. Here an example on FP200 film. I know my Leica Summicron is in the same situation better especially enlarging over 30x40cm but you're comparing an Eur. 30,- lens against Eur. 1850,-


War museum Overloon by Fotohuis (Robert), on Flickr

 

[newspaperguy]

The J12 sure makes a nice package on a Barnack body... plus, the lens shade will never fall off!

 

[Baybers]

I have found the J-12 to be a very good lens. I have not had any flare issues despite shooting in the very strong Aussie sunshine.
Make sure your lens comes with the dedicated rear cap and has a scratch free rear element.
I would have thought around $80 to be a fair price for one in good condition.

 

[David Murphy]

The J-12 is a fine lens for the money, but not as good optically the CV 35mm F2.5. Either are perfectly acceptable for day-to-day use.

 

[Fotohuis]

I have found the J-12 to be a very good lens. I have not had any flare issues despite shooting in the very strong Aussie sunshine.
Make sure your lens comes with the dedicated rear cap and has a scratch free rear element.
I would have thought around $80 to be a fair price for one in good condition.

You're right, scratch free rear element and a fair price is around Eur. 50- 60 which is about $80.

The J-12 is a fine lens for the money, but not as good optically the CV 35mm F2.5

But the C.V. F/2,5-35mm Pancake is the best 35mm C.V. Lens.

The C.V. lens is about Leica Summarit f/2,5-35mm level but almost 1/3rd of the Leica price and this J-12 is also good but just a little bit less but comparing to the two others a very cheap lens with an amazing price-quality.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Those plastic tubs that film cassettes come in make fine rear lens covers. Just measure carefully twice and cut once. I put felt in the end of mine.

Regards, David

 

[Volver]

After using Summaron 35/2.8 on my M3 I can say that Jupiter-12 is better choice for color photos (less contrast and good details in shadows), while summaron is better for B&W (higher contrast and low details in shadows give good "classic" look).

For sharpness and distortion summaron is much better.

image by obirun, on Flickr

 

[Scrambler]

Hi,

Those plastic tubs that film cassettes come in make fine rear lens covers. Just measure carefully twice and cut once. I put felt in the end of mine.

Regards, David

As well as the DIY approach, you can usually get genuine rear caps online. The aftermarket rear caps for Leica M 21 & 28mm lenses also work if you use an ltm-M adapter.