One more won't hurt anything

[Graybeard]

I had a nice IIIc arrived in the mail yesterday - I couldn't pass up the price on eBay. Evidently new shutter curtains, a bright RF patch, all the Vulcanite is there, and in general, a clean user. A pleasant surprise was the neatly installed flash synchronization - I tested it and it is working.

I'll have a CLA done on this one - I do this a matter of course with any camera that I take into the field with me. I think I'll put a black Jupiter 8 on this fellow; I do enough shooting indoors that I need a fast lens and a good J-8 (as this one is) can be very good indeed.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Hmmm... the excitement of a new camera... I envy you. 🙂

 

[brachal]

I had a local photographer ask me what the lens on my IIIf was the other night -- beautiful '61 Jupiter 3. He was shocked. "Why would you put a Russian lens on a Leica!?" As if the camera might catch something unsavory from it. As you say, when they're good, they are very very good.

 

[Graybeard]

I had a local photographer ask me what the lens on my IIIf was the other night -- beautiful '61 Jupiter 3. He was shocked. "Why would you put a Russian lens on a Leica!?" As if the camera might catch something unsavory from it. As you say, when they're good, they are very very good.

Most of the time, I've used Japanese lenses on my Barnack Leicas; Nikkors and Serenars. When I was starting out, Leitz optics were expensive and the Serenars were what I could afford. I've certainly been pleased with the Japanese glass.

I 've had mixed luck with the Jupiter-3's - one good one and a couple that didn't focus properly.

I believe that Fedka has a service where he'll set up the focus properly on a FSU lens. Eventually I'll send a bad one off to him to see what he can do. The fast lens speed is tempting.

 

[brachal]

I came to photography about 3 years ago through Soviet rangefinders, so Jupiters and Industars made up the bulk of my purchases. At the time, you could still get a lot of glass cheaply -- now I think the prices are getting closer to or over what you'd pay for Nikkor or Canon lenses. Other than a new Voigtlander 35mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/3.5, Soviet lenses are all I have. I don't feel deprived at all. 🙂
I'm lucky enough to be able to say I've never had a bad Soviet lens, but I've heard plenty of stories. My J-3 is from fedka, and has always been a joy.