M4 + Jupiter 8 - first roll

nzeeman

nzeeman

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yesterday i shot one short roll quickly before going to job just to check if m4 works ok and does j8 focuses properly on it. i think results are very good. i didnt change original scans (i just changed levels because in this lab they always overexpose scans - first 1/3 of histogram is almost empty 🙁 also i applied unsharp mask because their scans are always too soft and unsharp mask show me better where focus is )

U3753I1208853508.SEQ.0.jpg
focus on those 2 little screws in the center

U3753I1208853510.SEQ.0.jpg
focus on the right white part of that leaf

U3753I1208853512.SEQ.0.jpg
focus on the newspaper

U3753I1208853515.SEQ.0.jpg
focus on viewfinder window

U3753I1208853517.SEQ.0.jpg
focus on eyes

i think that all exposures are good, focus is slightly moved in front , but only 2,3 cm (sonnar design) but that doesnt bother me much.
 
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payasam said:
A good J-8 is not to be sneezed at. I realise that these are only test pictures, but the third and specially the last are worth keeping.
Click to expand...

i really wanted to test it with more photos from life, but i was in a big hurry since i was working in afternoon so i got only hour or two to finish roll. 🙁 that old woman that reads paper could be much better but i was already rushing home. 😀 i promise next set will be something more nice i hope.
 
J8 is a very capable lens - if you get hold of a good one, it can stand its own ground against good Leitz 50mm lenses. I once did a test roll of color film with mixed lenses (Summicron, Elmar, Jupiter 8, etc.), and had a VERY difficult time telling which photo was done by which lens - I had to consult my notes... The only lens that really stood out on that roll was Summilux 35/1.4 🙂 Yeah, but that one was 1.400 EUR (used)....

Enjoy your Jupiter - I repeat, it's a very good lens...

Denis
 
yes florian - we started with same equipment (i remember some nice photos from your fed - i think of your granpa) and now we have same stuff again.
 
I've got several J-8's that are every bit as sharp as the Nikkor 5cm F2's. And J-3's that are as good as the Zeiss 50/1.5.

I think your right about the focus being slightly in front by 2~3cm when used wide-open. At F4, I'm betting it will be exactly on because of the Sonnar shift. My Canon 50/1.5 Sonnar copy did the same thing. I always try to optimize the lens for use wide-open and close-up. That way, the focus shift backwards at F2.8~f4 will hit infinity on the Leica. Hard to beat the Sonnar Look.
 
You've got the right idea: The Leica bodies are worth a premium, as the viewfinder in them is so much better than the vintage competition, but the lenses usually aren't worth the extra price. Congrats on getting a good working Soviet lens! 😀
 
I've found that a good J-3 was sharper than my Canon 50/1.4 wide-open, and as good as the Nikkor 5cm f1.4. I did a tripod mounted test of the the J-3, Nikkor 5cm F1.4, Canon 50/1.4, and Canon 50/1.5. I can remember looking at the test results from the roll of film and being VERY happy that the J-3 and Nikkor results were too close to call. Good thing I took notes on what lens took which pictures.

A have a through-the-lens viewer made long ago that was used by repair shops to check focus. It has the Leica thread mount, ground glass, and high-power magnifier in it. I measure of distance to a test target, and shim the lens with the lens wide-open. I've even got a Nikon S-Mount to LTM adapter that I can use with this thing. For Contax mount, I use a Contax IIIa set to "T" with a negative strip at the film gate.
 
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