Jupiter-3 made in Valdai

[SergioGuerra]

Greetings!

I am currently waiting for a J-3 bought on ebay, supposed to be mint, and that was made in 1958, Valdai, USSR. The serial number of the lens - 5802547.

Do you think this will be a good specimen?


Thanks!

Sergio

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It depends on how the last 48 years have treated it. I've seen them way-off in focus, so stiff that they unscrew rather than focus, and with fingerpeints on the inner surfaces. Nothing that a CLA cannot remedy. But you do not know until you get that test roll back!

 

[Kim Coxon]

It will depend on the seller and on the accuracy of the listing. I think most prople have had both good and bad experiences. If the glass is good, it can always be serviced.

Kim

 

[Kim Coxon]

One of these days I will learn to type quickly so I don't end up posting the same message at the same time. It must be the J3 radar working!

Kim

 

[dll927]

Go on ebay type in "Jupiter 3". Dozens for sale. So it would certainly pay to be careful of the seller (check past buyers' comments) and do your best waching the pictures and descriptions. There's little reason to buy one that says right on there that the lens has 'cleaning marks' or other detractive problems.

 

[SergioGuerra]

I did not buy one of those.

The seller clearly says it is clean, lets see If I will need to give him negative feedback 😛

Anyway, I am not really afraid of doing a DIY CLA, but If it comes in good shape, it will be better ehehehe

This will be my faster lense, so I hope it is not a "lemon" ehehe

 

[w3rk5]

I got a 1962 J-3 recently ($50 USD total). I was mentally and physically prepared to do some work on it. Especially after reading all the treads about the J-3. 😛 Cosmeticly, the lens was a little rough. The lens had some cleaning marks/scratches as advertised. I figured, I could always restore the body, and the cleaning marks/scratches don't bother me. The only thing I had to do was clean and lube the focus ring. I am very happy with this lens. 🙂

Good luck on yours. 🙂