Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
I've been thinking about buying a fast 90mm-ish lens and have been considering the LTM version of the Jupiter-9 85mm/f2. These have a horrid reputation for focus problems.
I've had good luck dealing with the eBay vendor "grizzly33bear" and sent off a message asking if focus had been check on the lens she ("grizzly" is a lady, I understand) is offering. Here is my reply:
"The reason is very simple - J-9 lens (L39 version only) doesn't have exact registering distance setted - it must be calibrated together with camera! Not all sellers know about this fact unfortunately...
Originally, these Jupiters were delivered with set of adjustment rings (very thin paper rings) which should be used for exact calibration on the camera. Or, photographers could visit service shops, which also had these rings for calibration.
My lenses are adjusted to use with let's say 'average' camera - so the only 1 from 12..15 buyers reported problems with calibration.
So, I can't promise that all cameras will be working fine with lens, possibility that lens should be calibrated still exist... "
Surprising news to me and it would seem to explain the need some users have found for shims. I was planning to use the lens in a LTM/bayonet adaptor so once I get the shims right I'll never need change them.
FWIW and good light all-
Graybeard
I've had good luck dealing with the eBay vendor "grizzly33bear" and sent off a message asking if focus had been check on the lens she ("grizzly" is a lady, I understand) is offering. Here is my reply:
"The reason is very simple - J-9 lens (L39 version only) doesn't have exact registering distance setted - it must be calibrated together with camera! Not all sellers know about this fact unfortunately...
Originally, these Jupiters were delivered with set of adjustment rings (very thin paper rings) which should be used for exact calibration on the camera. Or, photographers could visit service shops, which also had these rings for calibration.
My lenses are adjusted to use with let's say 'average' camera - so the only 1 from 12..15 buyers reported problems with calibration.
So, I can't promise that all cameras will be working fine with lens, possibility that lens should be calibrated still exist... "
Surprising news to me and it would seem to explain the need some users have found for shims. I was planning to use the lens in a LTM/bayonet adaptor so once I get the shims right I'll never need change them.
FWIW and good light all-
Graybeard