Silver or Black J9 ?

[TMLee]

I am looking for a low contrast 85mm / 90mm lens.

Are there differences between the LTM silver version and the later black Jupiter-9 versions ? eg, lens coating ?

Which gives lower contrast ?
Assuming the later version is improved, does it mean the black J9s are more contrasty ?
or are both the same ?

Anyone can offer pics shot wide open ?

TIA 🙂

 

[40oz]

I wouldn't call a j-9 a "low-contrast" lens. My shots with my silver one are on my laptop, I'll try to get something uploaded today or tomorrow for you.

As far as I know all Jupiter lenses were coated. I don't know the difference between coatings.

If you want a really nice portrait lens and telephoto, the J-9 is worth more than you'll pay for it. The black ones even look really nice. But it's not what I'd call "low-contrast." I suppose you could put a scratched-up UV filter over it and point a flash at the lens.

You would want to look at uncoated Leitz examples, ideally with fogging, if low-contrast is what you are looking for. At the very least, uncoated and shot without hood in bright sun regardless of brand.

Or you could just print with a low-contrast filter :shrug:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I use a Jupiter-9 with my Contax II, a later Black one that is quite nice.

I have given up trying to make LTM J-9's focus properly on a Leica. They are fine for distance work. For close-up work, they are likely to need adjustment. Look at a Canon 85/2 in LTM for a good low-contrast/ fast lens.

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=149

J-9 on my Canon P at infinity:

J-9 close-up and wide-open:

Nikkor 8.5cm F2

on the same roll, same camera.

 

[BillBingham2]

Tia,

Take a look around for a Leica 90/4 Elmar. Lot are out there in LTM, I had one that was M mount. Not really fast but paints light very nicely and is very pocketable.

B2 (;->

 

[40oz]

I use a Jupiter-9 with my Contax II, a later Black one that is quite nice.

I have given up trying to make LTM J-9's focus properly on a Leica. They are fine for distance work. For close-up work, they are likely to need adjustment. Look at a Canon 85/2 in LTM for a good low-contrast/ fast lens.

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=149

J-9 on my Canon P at infinity:

J-9 close-up and wide-open:

Nikkor 8.5cm F2

on the same roll, same camera.

The J9 looks far better at infinity than the Nikkor.

 

[andreas.pichler]

I would go for the Elmar 4/90 as well. I have tried out two Jupiter on my Contax II, and both needs to be re-shimmed. There is no significant difference in sharpness or color, but as a rule of thumb, older Jupiters are the better ones (this means: 60ies and earlier, the silver ones).
But as said before: When you are looking for an LTM lens and if you do not have an urgent need for a fast lens, take the Elmar 4/90. Inexpensive, and much better in quality than the Jupiter 85.

Picture: Epson R-D1 with Elmar 4/90, taken yesterday in morning light

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The J9 looks far better at infinity than the Nikkor.

The J-9 is lower contrast, and preserved some shadow detail. Using lossless compression, the full-res J-9 required a few Kilobytes more than the Nikkor on a 10MByte compressed file, indicating more structure was preserved. I doubt many people would label it as "vastly Superior". Looking at the prints and the negatives, you can barely tell a difference. Of course, close-up is a different story and I am very disappointed in the J-9 being so far off.

The pity was not being able to make the lens work across range. Changing out the main shim and spacing between the front and rear groups could not correct the error. I could get it usable from maybe 2.5m to 20m wide-open. I went through 3 J-9's, trying to get one to work across range. They are great on a Contax, and I will set one for a Zorki 3M.

For a Fast 85mm lens, the Canon 85/2 is a good choice. Mine was $100.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon 85/2 Serenar, at F2

At F4

Distance at F2:

At F4, as the distance shots are with the Nikkor and J-9.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon 85/2 Wide-open at F2:

At F4:

The Canon 85/2 must be the "Rodney Dangerfield" lens, does not get enough respect.

 

[payasam]

I do not know if there is any difference between the black J-9 and the silver one. I have the black version, and it did not focus correctly in the near range until I tinkered with the R/F of the FED-2 on which I use it. It is sharp, and I would not call it a low contrast lens. Examples in my RFF gallery.