Jupiter 8, bad for color?

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MarkoKovacevic

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Hey everyone. Just noticed that I can't seem to take a good picture with color film using this lens, but BW looks sharper and much better. Anyone noticed this?
 
I dont think its bad for color at all, not a modern look, but still great to me.

portrait of my best bud (bad placement of the flower - whoops)
2530757052_43d4a8ee46.jpg
 
you should post a picture so we can see what might be wrong. For example, if you don't get the exposure right, then the picture might turn out really grainy. It might be that the people who process your film might mess it up, or your scanner might not be getting the right colors. It would help if you post something you think doesn't look good.
 
As noted above bad exposure and poor processing will affect image quality. I've used a J-8 on Leicas and Canon 7 as well as the Kiev 4a with excellent results..
 
Gradskater said:
you should post a picture so we can see what might be wrong. For example, if you don't get the exposure right, then the picture might turn out really grainy. It might be that the people who process your film might mess it up, or your scanner might not be getting the right colors. It would help if you post something you think doesn't look good.
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Theres problems with sharpness[focus problems, from me, not the lens], flare, and general bad composition, which I don't get when I use BW..
 
MarkoKovacevic said:
Theres problems with sharpness[focus problems, from me, not the lens], flare, and general bad composition, which I don't get when I use BW..
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I always use a hood on the Jupiter 8, to help with contrast and flare. Maybe you just need to run some more color film through your camera, get some more practice. I would recommend a hood, though, if you don't have one.
 
Gradskater said:
I always use a hood on the Jupiter 8, to help with contrast and flare. Maybe you just need to run some more color film through your camera, get some more practice. I would recommend a hood, though, if you don't have one.
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Hmm, will try using some more color in it. I guess I'm not used to shooting 50mm or RF with color, and thats why my photos are not good with color. Maybe I didn't have a good location or subject matter when I shot the color film.

Regarding the hood, sure, it would help, but I feel the VF of my Leica iii is already blocked enough by the J-8.
 
Also keep in mind the huge range of different Jupiter 8's in circulation: Coated, uncoated, type of coating, whether it was made on a monday or a friday...
 
DanOnRoute66 said:
Make sure you're metering accurately, unless you're awfully good at guesstimating. Are you sure your camera's shutter speeds are accurate? Processing also can be an issue: Do you get good results with other cameras and lenses (assuming you have any others) but just not with the J-8? I've seen dreadful stuff come out of the digital scans of negatives lately from many processors, usually going back to indifference to quality control on the part of one-hour photo employees.
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I am awfully good at guesstimating, always within a stop or so. Cameras speeds are accurate. I have amazing color results with films coming out of my XA, every time its awesome.

Don't think my J8 is coated[white sheen to the glass] but it has had a CLA a month ago!
 
All J-8's that I've seen are coated. Some are better than others for sharpness, but most are very good.

1955 J-8, wide-open.

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I've never seen a J-8 or J-3 to poorly on color film.
 
I guess it just doesn't have that punch or high contrast that a XA or Nikkor lenses have, and thats all I've been shooting color with prior to this.
 
The older single coated lenses do not give the picture-postcard colors of modern multi-coated optics. I prefer a muted color. It's all about personal taste.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The older single coated lenses do not give the picture-postcard colors of modern multi-coated optics. I prefer a muted color. It's all about personal taste.
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Brian, my lens is engraved and starts with 68, so it is probably single coated. I personally enjoy punchy color, as it's a total change from the BW I usually use.
 
Hmm.. I used mine on hollidays in Rhodes and took some of my most popular colour pics with it. the film was Kodak Gold 400 - cheap cheerful store bought stuff with 1 hour processing

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Definately a unique look and not what you get with modern lenses but I think that would possibly be too much to expect from such a cheap and old lens. I personally prefer things that give a slightly 'vintage' look to my shots
 
Gradskater said:
I dont think its bad for color at all, not a modern look, but still great to me.

portrait of my best bud (bad placement of the flower - whoops)
2530757052_43d4a8ee46.jpg
Click to expand...

Nothing that a few minutes with Photoshop can't cure. If you don't have those cloning or extraction skills, a simple, well placed crop would solve the flowers problem. Nice shot otherwise.
 
I like the colors of the J8. They are not to saturated. A bit of a "classic" look. A bit warm.....it has a "brown" color tone to it......if i should try to describe.
 
My personal fav for colour film. I feel like I have a time machine from 1940 -1980 with a J-8. It's a real treat to use when you don't like grey shadows coming out black.Truly remarkable lens for under 80 dollars.
 
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