Jupiter 8 - optimal aperture

[Marc-A.]

Where did you get this info? I don't think in 80's was better control than in 70's or 60's. There was slightly better control for export production but it doesn't matter now.

Just a question: where did you get this info?
Best,
Marc

 

[Diomedes]

Originally Posted by ed1k
Is it an export version of J8 like this? There is only one thing I can tell for sure that your J8 is a good one

Yes, I think so, because it has a latin inscription. I've bought it in mint condition for about 4$ .

1. f16
2. f4
3. something between f2.8-f4

 

[ed1k]

Marc,
I lived in Soviet Union. Though none of my relatives or friends worked for KMZ, some of them worked for FED (I lived in Kharkov). I doubt KMZ had some unusual quality control in 80's... Likely it was in line with other enterprises in industry. There was a lot of talks about quality issues in mid 80's on TV and press, that was Gorbachev's political campaign. Actual quality or quality control in 80's was not better in reality.
Eduard.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Marc

Thanks Marc

very interesting link, here's what it says of the '77 J8, which I think sums up my black '75:

"Rather mediocre wide open, the black Jupiter 8 of 1977 catches up at f4 : good sharpness and serious contrast for a modern lens."

Hi Ampguy, sorry for my late reply. I shouldn't have talked as if I were an expert of FSU lenses, now I'm really embarrassed Ah those pretentious froggies
Anyway, my answer is: it's all relative! But '80s (and '50) production is better, due to more rigorous control than in the '60s and '70s and better coating ...etc. Now, a good J8 is a good J8, no matter when it was produced, so don't worry!
If you want to read an interesting test of different FSU lenses, here's a link to a French site (there's a English translation on the right side): http://www.collection-appareils.com/avoscrayons/html/50mm.php



Hello Diomedes,
From what I know, which is about zero , your lenshas been produced in 1981. The black version is the late version of the J8 (true also of the J3), and a lot of '80 J8 s/n start with a 0 instead of a 8; you'll see a lot of 02xxxx for black J8 from 1982. Diomedes, you have a good J8.

Best,
Marc