Leica LTM Jupiter 3 - Question

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Hibbs

Hibbs

R.I.P. Charlie
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I've read many posts about how most J3s require some modification or shimming in order to get close focus, wide open.

Does this apply to all J3s or just the older variety? Are the newer, black ones good to go or will they too require adjustment?

Any users out there have one of the newer models that can comment on their qualities?

Thanks.
 
My experience with Jupiter 3's is that there is a high percentage of unuseable lenses among both the older (silver-bodied) models and the newer black-bodied ones. I have a couple of silver ones that are OK at f1.5 and really pretty good at f2 and higher - I was able to return the bad black J-3's to honest FSU vendors..

Unless you really need the f1.5, money is better spent with a Jupiter-8 where the odds are very much in your favor of getting a good lens. One can buy 3 to 4 J-8's for the price of a J-3 (and probably det 3 to 4 good lenses). I suggest buying one of the more recent black models as the focus helix lubricant is often petrified in the earlier silver-bodied lenses. Not an impossible DIY project but a bit tedious.
 
Both my J-3 are mid and late 50s vintage respectively, and have the white aluminium barrels. Was able to use them straight off the (mailing) box without modifications on my III series Leicas and with an adapter on my Leica M3 as well.

Most often problematic J-3s are the ones which have undergone some form of CLA by not-too-competent hands.

Jay
 
Well this is timely, as I just got my first results back from my black 1983 J3. Sure enough, it is back focusing by a few inches. The glass and barrel are perfect, so I won't mind being among the first to try out fedka's new $35 lens service. A lube and a shim and it should be a nice low-light sonnar for a slob like me. Brian Sweeney's instructions are exhaustive, and even sometimes fun (I did it on my '57 J3) but I think Yuri would do it better and more efficiently, and with less swearing.
 
ZorkiKat said:
Both my J-3 are mid and late 50s vintage respectively, and have the white aluminium barrels. Was able to use them straight off the (mailing) box without modifications on my III series Leicas and with an adapter on my Leica M3 as well.

Most often problematic J-3s are the ones which have undergone some form of CLA by not-too-competent hands.

Jay
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I' ll second that - mine (silver, older one), works great right out of the box (shipping box). Came from Ukraine, was stiff and dirty, but I lubed it and not it works very well - on my Bessa, M3 with adapter and other LTM cameras. I guess I was lucky.
 
Well my '83 left this morning for the Bronx (man, I'm jealous of all the CLA trips my gear has been taking lately, while I'm stuck at home...). It will have a ND8 filter and a new Fed square hood waiting for it as a coming home present. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
 
Mine is a '61 silver model from fedka. Worked like a dream right out of the box -- I wouldn't trade it for 4 Jupiter 8s.
 
brachal said:
Mine is a '61 silver model from fedka. Worked like a dream right out of the box -- I wouldn't trade it for 4 Jupiter 8s.
Click to expand...

One of my J-3 is my Leica M-3 (gee, all those "3s"! :)) standard lens. I used to have a Summicron for it. Sold that lens because I needed money to buy something else, and for some time thought of getting one again. But after getting J-8 and J-3, I never felt I needed any other 50 for my Leica or other RF cameras.

Jay
 
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