Loving this J3 - with help from Mr. Sweeney

[tbarker13]

So I picked this lens up a few months back and sent it to Brian for his attention. I didn't shoot a lot with it until two weeks back, when my other 50mm lens was out of commission. So the J3 went out on my M8 for a couple portrait sessions.
The lens performed quite well, I think.
These were all shot at ISO 640, f.4 or f.5.6.

 

[elshaneo]

Great Portraits. I like very much the first one 🙂

 

[GoneSavage]

Who needs Leica? Who needs Zeiss?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Beautiful photographs of a beautiful subject!
And it's very satisfying to see a J-3 in action after working on it.

We did need Zeiss to develop the Sonnar, that the J-3 is based on...

 

[Keith]

I'm starting to really see some kudos in having a good J3 for portraits, those shots are really nice ... I have one but it's on my Kiev and as much as I like the lens I can't get too excited about the Kiev!

A question for Brian ... can my J3 be converted to LTM or am I better off looking for another J3?

I aplogise to the OP for using your thread to ask Brian this question! 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Kiev and LTM Optics Modules for the J-3 are identical. I have used J-3 optics modules in Zeiss Contax mounts left over from my Sonnar LTM conversions.

The best J-3's are from the 1950s. And the one shown is one of the nicest that I've seen.

 

[tbarker13]

Thanks guys.
I know this might seem odd to some, but I like this lens enough that I'm on the verge of selling my 50 pre-asph lux. I'm not suggesting the J-3 is superior to the lux. But particularly for these types of portraits, this tiny little lens is doing everything I could ask. And at a heck of a lot cheaper price.

 

[raid]

I'm starting to really see some kudos in having a good J3 for portraits, those shots are really nice ... I have one but it's on my Kiev and as much as I like the lens I can't get too excited about the Kiev!

A question for Brian ... can my J3 be converted to LTM or am I better off looking for another J3?

I aplogise to the OP for using your thread to ask Brian this question! 😀

Keith,
I got the Amedeo adapter, and now I can use any Contax mount lenses [such as the J-3] on any leica camera. It also allows me to find J-3 lenses cheaper.

 

[raid]

The Kiev and LTM Optics Modules for the J-3 are identical. I have used J-3 optics modules in Zeiss Contax mounts left over from my Sonnar LTM conversions.

The best J-3's are from the 1950s. And the one shown is one of the nicest that I've seen.

Brian,

I am expecting for Christmas two J-3's from the early 1950's! I will send them to you to be optimized.

 

[raid]

Guys ... just realize that buying a J-3 does not imply you will have such women for models! Calm down.

 

[tbarker13]

Guys ... just realize that buying a J-3 does not imply you will have such a woman for a model! Calm down.

And just for the record, these are actually two different women.🙂

 

[raid]

And just for the record, these are actually two different women.🙂

Of course, you are right Tim. I corrected my statement above.

 

[oftheherd]

Guys ... just realize that buying a J-3 does not imply you will have such women for models! Calm down.

Thanks Raid for letting us know. You just saved me a lot of money on the purchase of a J3. I am a little disappointed nonetheless. 😀 😀 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Raid- you have three beautiful models. And two work for Ice Cream...

 

[raid]

Thanks Raid for letting us know. You just saved me a lot of money on the purchase of a J3. I am a little disappointed nonetheless. 😀 😀 😀

I am expecting two J-3's soon, so maybe I am "cheating" here! 😀😎

 

[raid]

Raid- you have three beautiful models. And two work for Ice Cream...

Brian,
Their demands increase each year. I better start saving for photo sessions.

 

[raid]

You're suggesting that the J-3 in LTM is even more expensive than the Contax-mount J-3?

Yes, Dan. The LTM J-3 are sold for about 25%-40% more than a Contax mount J-3. Eddy Smolov was told by a contact in Ukrania that "the LTM lenses are rare".

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

those photos are really appealing! I want one too! Brian, if I buy one from ebay, is it going to be similar result or it is your magic? 🙂

I remember you were suggesting 1950s productions...

 

[tbarker13]

those photos are really appealing! I want one too! Brian, if I buy one from ebay, is it going to be similar result or it is your magic? 🙂

I remember you were suggesting 1950s productions...

Thanks. I'm sure Brian will answer this himself, but when I was looking (and I sought his advice before I even started the search) it was my goal to find one from the 1950s. In the end, I think I got pretty lucky with mine. Can't remember the exact price, but it was close to $200.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I'm scanning some Adox 100 negatives taken with a J-3 on a Leica IIIc. Will post some later, if my scanner doesn't get any strange ideas