Thinking of Jupiter 8 for Leica CL

[efix]

I just bought a Leica CL and want a cheap lens to go with it. I've read a bit into the Jupiter 8 and it seems to be a great performer provided it's in good state and properly calibrated to work on M bodies.

Does anyone have experience with this lens on a CL?
What do I have to look out for when I want to buy one?
Where do I best look for one? (rff classifieds, fedka ... other places?)

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

yes, it is a lovely lens. a couple of things to note:

* there are no click-stops, the aperture ring moves smoothly,
without any stops

* you'll need a hood for this lens, as a matter of fact, for most lens

* this lens is meant to be used close-up and wide-open. but can be bitting sharp at narrow apertures.

* generally, the earlier the serial number, the better the quality is, not taking into consideration, the wear and tear through the years. the first 2 digit denotes the year of manufacture.

i can't remember if this was on my r-d1 or from the cl, but i was blown away by this image taken with the j8 lens:

 

[efix]

Thanks, raytoei! However, I can't see the picture.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

And I'll add that our Chinese friends make nice vented hoods that fit them. As it rotates to focus you need a circular one.

Regards, David

 

[raid]

The J-8 is same as a CZJ 5cm/2. Both lenses are excellent overall. Yes, get a lens hood and always use it.

 

[efix]

I forgot to add: it needs to be properly adjusted to work on a Leica, right? Or can I just buy one, slap an M39->M adapter on it and shoot away?

 

[mmork]

Jupiter-8 can feel flimsy (mainly due to the missing f-stop clicks), but is a very nice lens overall. Mine is the T-coated variety, and from 1953, if memory serves. Some examples on the Leica M5:

more here:

http://500px.com/mmorkel

I may add: It sits on the M5 with a cheapish M adapter, should work the same on the CL. Focus is ok even wide open, close distance.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

regarding focusing, most tend to backfocus,
which is okay for former soviet union rangefinders,
but will not focus properly on leica LTMs or M bodies even with adapter.

this is NOT gospel and your mileage will vary.

there are several ways to deal with this,
* increase the thickness of between the lens and the adapter
ie. add aluminum foil
* focus and then move your hand back an inch.
* use narrow apertures and let the DOF correct it
* keep buying the cheap J8 until you find the one...

raytoei

 

[dexdog]

Another solution is to buy a "Sweenyized" J-8 that has been optimized by former RFFer Brian Sweeney. Guauranteed to be spot on for focus, as mathematically determined and calibrated on a digital leica camera. If you do not wanna go that route, bite the bullet and get a Nikkor 5cm/2 or Canon 50/1.5 in LTM - both of the latter would focus reliably on a CL. I have a couple of Sweenyized J-8 lenses, and they are so good I can never imagine selling them.

 

[grapejohnson]

Another solution is to buy a "Sweenyized" J-8 that has been optimized by former RFFer Brian Sweeney. Guauranteed to be spot on for focus, as mathematically determined and calibrated on a digital leica camera. If you do not wanna go that route, bite the bullet and get a Nikkor 5cm/2 or Canon 50/1.5 in LTM - both of the latter would focus reliably on a CL. I have a couple of Sweenyized J-8 lenses, and they are so good I can never imagine selling them.

How much does this Sweeney charge for the service? Can some direct me to his contact info?

 

[efix]

How much does this Sweeney charge for the service? Can some direct me to his contact info?

I am curious about this as well.

 

[28mm]

efix, there was a fellow member selling his Jupiter 8 a few weeks ago. Worth a PM to onespeed.

 

[t6un]

Hi,

And I'll add that our Chinese friends make nice vented hoods that fit them. As it rotates to focus you need a circular one.

Regards, David

Only newer lenses in black mounts rotate while you focus.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Go for the later black J3 and J8 and you will have no problem with focussing the lens on a Leica. As far as my own experience goes, the FSU lenses giving trouble on Leicas are from before 1959.

 

[efix]

Go for the later black J3 and J8 and you will have no problem with focussing the lens on a Leica. As far as my own experience goes, the FSU lenses giving trouble on Leicas are from before 1959.

That's interesting, I though there was a general issue with lenses made for Zorki cameras not focussing correctly on Leicas (M or screw). Can anyone else eventually confirm this? It would save me the trouble of trying to find one that's already adjusted to be used on a Leica body ... 😕

 

[lam]

I had an 80's J-8 and loved it.


Leica CL, Jupiter-8 by lamlux.net, on Flickr

Produced fairly good images that I look at now and think I should've kept it!


Untitled by lamlux.net, on Flickr


Untitled by lamlux.net, on Flickr

I never really encountered any focus issues, and this was basically my first LTM lens, on my first rangefinder.. (Leica CL + J8 combo) I even used a cheap chinese adapter, I think it was profoto or something.

 

[newspaperguy]

Mine works well on my CL... and as I recall, also worked on my IIIf, with no adjustments.

 

[efix]

Thanks, guys!

 

[denizg7]

i love how people always think its better to prioritize a body than of a glass..

anyway hopefully you will keep the body for a long time and get a 40mm summicron

 

[efix]

i love how people always think its better to prioritize a body than of a glass..

anyway hopefully you will keep the body for a long time and get a 40mm summicron

I had some lovely Zeiss glass for my M8 -- the only reason I parted with all that gear were financial issues. The CL + Jupiter 3 are 1/10th the money of my M8 kit, so for the moment it's a compromise solution because I simply can't do without a Leica ;-)

As long as I have a working camera and a lens to accompany it, I can take pictures, and that's all that matters.