Jupiter 3 or Jupiter 12? Can't afford both!

[Chillibones]

Ok, any views on which lens I should get. I have funds for one more. I already have industar 22 collapsable, Fed collapsable, Industar 61, Industar 26 and two Jupiter 8 (one black and one silver).

I fancy a Jupiter 3 for low light, but am not sure about the quality, seems there are a lot of negative opinions about this one. I like the 12 for its compactness.

I should say it will most likely be used on either the Fed 1, Zorki 1 or Fed 2.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Well, you seem pretty fixed up with 50's. I'd get the Jupiter 12 next. I have one on my Zorki 3C and like it a lot. Works fine as well on my early Fed 1. I have the external finder they made for it, and it is fine even with my eye glasses.

 

[Mablo]

The small difference in speed of J-3 over J-8 doesn't give you any real advantage. I would get a nice J-12 definitely.

 

[Kozhe]

Mablo is right, the speed difference is not that big. A lot of people consider the J8 to be slightly sharper. Also the J3 is not a modern low light lens, so don´t expect a huge improvement shooting at night or indoors.

I´d get the J12 instead, get an external 35mm viewfinder and have fun!

 

[lubitel]

I like J-3 a lot. I use it alot more often than J-8. its faster, but also its sharper at 2.0. but if you want a 35mm, obviously go for j12.

 

[nzeeman]

absolutely different things - if you need more speed j3 if you need wider j12.
but i think that j3 is better choice - 35mm never work so good to me...

 

[payasam]

My J-3 works well -- but not before it received the skilled attention of Kim Coxon. Pickett Wilson is right to say that you have enough 50s and so should look to a J-12. The one I had, and which is now with another RFF member, was most satisfying.

 

[wolves3012]

Another vote for the J-12. You have a choice of 50mm already, probably a J-8 on the Zorki 4. Unless you really NEED a faster 50mm...wait for a J-3 later.

 

[Spider67]

I would also recommend a J12 so you'll get a comparably cheap experience with a 35mm...

 

[raid]

The J-8 can be sharper than a J-3. It depends on when the lenses were adjusted the last time.

 

[nrb]

Get the J-12, since you already own a J-8, more or less the equal of the J-3.

 

[rbiemer]

I think the J-3 is significantly* faster than the J-8 but I would get a J-12 first were I on your position. You currently have most of the variations of 50mm FSU lenses and those should cover most situations. And the J-12 is a pretty good 35mm lens, I think.
The other thing you might consider; sell most of the 50s and get both the J-3 and J-12. Keep one of the collapsibles and the I-61, perhaps?
Rob
*twice as fast seems significant to me.

 

[Chillibones]

Thanks for all the replies. I think it will be the J12 and the Helios finder.😀

 

[robin a]

Good choice,they're nice lenses..............Robin