Jupiter-8, 50/2

kshapero

kshapero

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Just picked up a Jupiter-8, 50/2. Can anyone enlighten me on filter thread size? Tried 39, 40.5, 41 and no go.
 
Have you checked the filterthreading for damage or dirt?
Mine works fine with 40.5mm filters and/or step-up rings.

Maybe it is a good idea to do some research in the Russian FSU area of this forum.

Greetings,
Rob
 
The J-8 typically accepts 40.5mm filters, just like the original Sonnar. Might be damaged threads, as suggester by previous poster.
 
Looks like the thread is a little crapped out but then the one 40.5 filter I have looks a little crapped out, too. Nonetheless, I kind of like this fellow. how is the image quality? So funny how it has the aperture scale on the drum twice to compensate the long throw of the focus ring. Hilarious.
 
M40.5 0.75mm. In these smaller sizes 0.5mm fine pitch is not that rare, so you'll sometimes come across filters with the right size, but wrong pitch.
 
kshapero said:
how is the image quality? So funny how it has the aperture scale on the drum twice to compensate the long throw of the focus ring. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

Assuming that you have an LTM version, the image quality is kinda hard to evaluate in general, because it depends a lot on the condition of your lens. As you may know, there are differences with the distance to the focal plane between the leica standard and the Zeiss Contax standard (Zeiss standard is slightly longer). Given that the J-8 is based on the Zeiss design, the lens may not focus accurately in LTM mount, especially at larger apetures where DOF is important. If your lens has been properly adjusted to focus acurrately to leica standard, it is fine performer with classic Sonnar rendering. If not adjusted properly, the images may be a bit soft.

Brian Sweeney is the RFF (and possibly world) specialist on proper adjustment of the Jupiters; a sweeneyized J-8 is truly a fine lens. That said, stopping the lens down to f4 often makes up for any misadjustment issues.

Hey, I really like the dual markings!
 
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dexdog said:
Brian Sweeney is the RFF (and possibly world) specialist on proper adjustment of the Jupiters; a sweeneyized J-8 is truly a fine lens. That said, stopping the lens down to f4 often makes up for any misadjustment issues.

Hey, I really like the dual markings!
Click to expand...
Thanks, hey am I the only one with dual aperture markings?
 
The filter size is indeed 40,5. Mine was pretty defiant at first when screwing on a Hoya R25, but it went on (and came off) eventually. My Jupiter 8 has an excellent quality and is extremely sharp. Even though I ordered mine from Russia, it has never needed to be adjusted to match the Leica's focusing.
 
The Single-Helical J-8's, where the body of the lens turns as you focus, have the dual F-Stop scale. The older J-8's have a double helical, and the F-Stop scale does not turn as you focus. I've seen some very good J-8's, both new and old.

Check the focus close-up and wide-open. Typically, adding 0.1mm to the shim brings the lens into agreement on a Leica for use wide-open and close-up. That is the difference in the movement of the lens built to the Zeiss 52.4mm standard versus the Leica (nominal) 51.6mm standard when moving from 3ft to infinity. Some work just fine without adjustment, most that I have seen benefit from "optimization".
 
^ Brian, is the shim placed between the lens and the camera, or does it go between the front and rear parts of the lens?
 
sevo said:
M40.5 0.75mm. In these smaller sizes 0.5mm fine pitch is not that rare, so you'll sometimes come across filters with the right size, but wrong pitch.
Click to expand...


What he said. The lens is spec'd as 40.5/0.5, but the .75 pitch is also out there. This is true for both the LTM and Contax/Kiev mount versions.


Steve

(Owns J-8M lenses with both thread pitches in Contax/Kiev mount)
 
mwooten said:
^ Brian, is the shim placed between the lens and the camera, or does it go between the front and rear parts of the lens?
Click to expand...

The optics module unscrews from the focus mount, sometimes a mousepad or other rubber pad helps. The shim sits between the optics module and focus mount.
 
varjag said:
No, it's 40.5 x 0.5.
Click to expand...

Sure? All of mine are 0.75mm pitch like their Sonnar ancestors, and I've never come across a fine pitch one. But then I am a Contax user. Did they perhaps make the LTM optics modules with different filter pitch?
 
My J-8 has the duel markings & the biggest factor why I don't use it as I do my J-3. For some reason I just can't get use to the duel sided f scale. It's a great lens, already reshimmed for my Bessa. I should use it more to force myself to become use to it.
 
I was always able to use the same 40.5 mm filters regardless of whether I was using Kiev or LTM Jupiters. When I had both, I used J-8, 12, and 11 with the same filters. I did have FSU filters at the time, though.
Rob


EDIT: The J-8m I have for Kiev does have the dual f-stop scale, the LTM J-8 I use on my Bessa is an early one and has just the single scale.
 
kshapero said:
Looks like the thread is a little crapped out but then the one 40.5 filter I have looks a little crapped out, too. Nonetheless, I kind of like this fellow. how is the image quality? So funny how it has the aperture scale on the drum twice to compensate the long throw of the focus ring. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

I have owned three of these lenses. The first one was sharp and contrasty.. gave it to my brother. The second was awful and the last one is the best of the lot.

I hate to say it, but, the image quality is every bit as good as any of the Leica LTM lenses I own. I have a J-12 as well.. another FSU gem.
 
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