Jupiter 9 recommendations?

[The Meaness]

I'm thinking about getting a Jupiter 9, or maybe a CZ opton 85/2. I prefer medium to high contrast and love the sonnar design. Is there a 'sweet spot' as far as years or versions? Any insight and especially pictures would be helpful - thanks!

 

[sevo]

With all FSU gear, it is sort of "the older the better". At least where Kievs are concerned, two periods produced the best cameras and lenses: The immediate post war years while they had the influx of German consulting and tools, and the first decade after Stalin's death when they obviously felt well and enterprising.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Do not get either one if it is for a Leica mount camera, get the Nikkor 8.5cm F2 in Leica Thread Mount instead. It will work wide-open across the full distance range with your cameras, the J-9 must be optimized for a limited range. The Carl Zeiss Opton lens is in Contax RF Count and requires an adapter.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Nikkor 8.5cm F2, wide-open on the M8:

Tight crop:

F2:

F4:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

1958 J-9 at F4 and Infinity:

Same lens wide-open and close-up:

The Nikkor 8.5cm F2, same camera:

F4 and Infinity

And F2 and close-up:

The Nikkor is made to the Leica standard, the Jupiter-9 is not.

 

[f16sunshine]

I agree with Brian. The J9 ltm is not worth the effort unless you plan to use it for landscapes and stopped down only. I did go with a Zeiss opton f2/85 in Contax RF and adapter for leica M. It has IMHO more "soul" than the Nikkor which I also have (and will sell). Here is a short flikr set I made of some samples of the Opton on RD1 and M8.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36366328@N04/sets/72157622111763422/

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I experimented a good bit with that 1958 J-9, reduced the distance between the front and rear group to reduce the focal length, then shimmed the lens.

Wide-open at 2m:

F4 at 2m:

Focus held quite well through 5m at F2:

But at minimum focus, 1.15m, still get a back-focus:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I agree with Brian. The J9 ltm is not worth the effort unless you plan to use it for landscapes and stopped down only. I did go with a Zeiss opton f2/85 in Contax RF and adapter for leica M. It has IMHO more "soul" than the Nikkor which I also have (and will sell). Here is a short flikr set I made of some samples of the Opton on RD1 and M8.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36366328@N04/sets/72157622111763422/

I need to pick up a CZO 85/2- I have the correct adapters for the Leica.

 

[Scrambler]

Another vote here for the Nikkor 85/2. I really love this lens!

I have not used either of the lenses you mention, but bought the Nikkor with the Jupiter in mind as an alternative. With the multiple issues of design and manufacture in J-9s I thought the Nikkor a much better bet, and one I have been very happy with. My lenses have been bought on a budget and are mostly FSU. After the the 85/2 I wish the Nikkor 50's were better priced.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

For the 50's- I have much better luck adjusting the Jupiter-3 for Leica mount than I did with the J-9.
Adjusting the J-3:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51032

 

[The Meaness]

Wow! Thanks for the info and especially the pics. Both the Nikkor and the CZO perform amazingly in these shots! I guess I have a harder decision than I thought.

 

[Krosya]

While I agree that Nikkor is a super lens - they are heavy and pricey. I used to own one and sold it or that reason. I now have a Chrome Jupiter-9 LTM and like it a lot. I used to have a black one too and it was a good lens. You can see this thread with pics, including ones from my black J-9:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59733

and this one from my current Chrome one:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1323893

It's a lovely lens when you have a good one.: