Jupiter 8 which one?

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tmessenger

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Looking to get a Jupiter 8 (LTM) and see these come in silver and back and assume the silver ones are older models. I'd like to increase my chances of getting a good one so what years or serial # should I look for. Also should I consider a Industar 61 or 22.

Regards,

Tim
 
I did some research on the J-8 a couple of years ago and it seems those from the late 50's and early 60's are statistically a bit more reliable then the later models. So that would be serial nrs. beginning with 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 or thereabouts. Mine is serial nr. 5956xxx and is really good so I stopped right there. 😉

Having said that, the within-sample variance is so high with the Russian lenses that you could get a dog from 1959 and a stellar sample from 1983. It is very dodgy buying FSU. But I love my J-8, I have no other lens like it - its like having a Sonnar without the cost. 🙂

I love it so much I'm sending it to Ukraine for a CLA.
 
peter_n said:
I did some research on the J-8 a couple of years ago and it seems those from the late 50's and early 60's are statistically a bit more reliable then the later models. So that would be serial nrs. beginning with 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 or thereabouts. Mine is serial nr. 5956xxx and is really good so I stopped right there. 😉

Having said that, the within-sample variance is so high with the Russian lenses that you could get a dog from 1959 and a stellar sample from 1983. It is very dodgy buying FSU. But I love my J-8, I have no other lens like it - its like having a Sonnar without the cost. 🙂

I love it so much I'm sending it to Ukraine for a CLA.
Click to expand...
I have a 57 model that is great, 'cept for it's a tab focus that can travel over 180 degrees.. The black ones use barrel focus, and the whole front of the lens turns as you focus, aperture ring, filter, hood and all.
Is sending the jupiter to Ukraine better than the CLA service per the fedka.com site? I think that service takes place in New York..
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/produc...d=483&osCsid=331cf3696ee682994477ccf74bc35fc7
 
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peter_n said:
Hmmm, interesting. I didn't know that Fedka did repairs. Oleg Khalyavin (link below) has a stellar reputation, and my lens needs ears on the aperture ring (it has a Zeiss-style aperture ring but the ears are gone from it). I'll have to think about it. Anyone here used Fedka's repair service?

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/repair.html
Click to expand...


Practically everyone here raves about his sales/ service. I haven't seen a negative comment yet. I'm awaiting a lens from him now.
 
I have three of the older style and one of the newer black j-8s. The older metal barreled ones are definitely easier to use. I don't care for the aperture ring turning with focus ring. The best J-8 came on a 1962 Zorki 4 that cost $16.00. The camera works well too. I paid a little more for the other two lens /cameras. They were around $40 each including shipping from Russia. Both are in need of a CLA. I will probably concentrate on the 1957 Zorki and keep the 1968 for parts or trading.

Mike
 
Try Camera Mate, I have had a few things from them, and they were good to deal with. They had some new J8's, perhaps they still have some.
I bought a "new; ie unused" Industar 50 collapsible from them last year, came in bakelite keeper, still wrapped and sealed. It is quite superb!!!
http://www.cameramate.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_52&products_id=164
 

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Bill58 said:
Fedka--Yuri.
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Thank you Bill, I'll email Yuri. I have only bought from him before.

John that black J-8 is an export model. Often the exported products are better quality than those sold internally. I once took a Zenit 3M on a trip to the FSU and the Russians couldn't believe it was made there until I showed them the CCCP engraving on the back. 🙂
 
tmessenger said:
Looking to get a Jupiter 8 (LTM) and see these come in silver and back and assume the silver ones are older models. I'd like to increase my chances of getting a good one so what years or serial # should I look for. Also should I consider a Industar 61 or 22.

Regards,

Tim
Click to expand...

Tim,

I have one of the 80's vintage black ones, and it's been great. Like biomed pointed out, on this variation the aperture ring turns with the focus. My aperture is tight enough that the focus will also turn slightly when I adjust the aperture. A bit of a nuisance, but it's still a great lens. Picture quality is very close to my '61 Jupiter 3.

I don't know about the Industar 22, but the 61 is another great lens -- and very cheap. Not as many stops as the Jupiter (2.8 - 16) but its got lots of character. Very very sharp and extremely contrasty. Too contrasty for some folks.
 
peter_n said:
Thank you Bill, I'll email Yuri. I have only bought from him before.

John that black J-8 is an export model. Often the exported products are better quality than those sold internally. I once took a Zenit 3M on a trip to the FSU and the Russians couldn't believe it was made there until I showed them the CCCP engraving on the back. 🙂
Click to expand...
When I bought my Fed 2 in Leningrad in the early60's, I bought it with £ sterling at the GUM store, firstly because I paid cash I got a far better exchange rate, and secondly the camera seemed to be taken from a different stock cupboard, it was in a strong card box with a seal on it!! It was then thoroughly checked by the saleslady. The only difference in it now is that the original ribbed vinyl covering has been replaced last year with new leather from Micro Tools. It looks like new now!!
 

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I have had both and have the black version now. Image quality is the same if you get good ones, the black one seems to be coated better. You might try the I-50 collapsible. I really like mine.
 
Ash said:
They have a Contax I !!!!!!!

Right, the family can have home-made gifts for christmas 😀
Click to expand...

You DO believe in living dangerously. Getting a reliable Contax 1 will be difficult, we used to avoid them like the plague in the shop!!! As for their ergonomics!!!!, a brick with a knob on the front 🙄
Most repairers won't touch them!!
 
John, I can't resist, it's the same urge that caused me to buy a Leica Standard 😀

I'll probably buy a Contax I when I can afford to send it to Scherer to get a once-over
 
Thanks for the advice I found a J-8 from another RFF member it had been sent to Brian Sweeney for CLA, I did'nt even ask what model it was hope it's a good one. I also got a great deal from a USA seller on ebay for a I-22 and a J-12. Now I have a few to try on my new Epson D1.

Regards,

Tim
 
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