paulfish4570
Veteran
OOF of I-61 and I-26 is remarkable ...
Which is your favorite FSU "normal lens" and why?
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MV72
Marc VERRIERE
First shots with an I-50 collapsible mounted on my FED-2d which came in from the cold with the usual I-26M a few years ago.
I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th
I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th
I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th
I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th
paulfish4570
Veteran
good stuff, marc. you have an excellent copy of the i-50 ...
sweathog
Well-known
It was using available light in the bar. They have lit panels in the top of the bar so most of the light came from that.
Wahoo
Washing on Siegfried Line
I can't vote just yet on the positive merits of FSU 50mm - 52mm lenses (only tested about a third) but who knows, I may yet find a gem.
Here's a photo taken with a 50mm Jupiter 8m (Kiev type} - sorry about the footprint centre screen and the scratch.🙂
Here's a photo taken with a 50mm Jupiter 8m (Kiev type} - sorry about the footprint centre screen and the scratch.🙂
Thankyou very much!
Years ago on RFF, the merit of the Helios-103 was well known amoing Kiev and Contax users. Many discussions of converting one ito LTM took place.
Jintsu
Newbie
J-8, but I have to admit that the only other lens I have is a Industar-50. I chose the J-8 for being faster.
In my opinion and with my limited overall-experience (coming to photography in '09, taking pictures regularly and shooting a Zorki 4k for 6 months now) I think J-8's are damn fine lenses.
Neopan SS, Microdol-X 1+3
And even a very good color lens.
Provia
In my opinion and with my limited overall-experience (coming to photography in '09, taking pictures regularly and shooting a Zorki 4k for 6 months now) I think J-8's are damn fine lenses.
Neopan SS, Microdol-X 1+3
And even a very good color lens.
Provia
hexiplex
Well-known
I detested the build of my J-8 when I first got it, a week ago, off the camera it felt like an absolute piece of crap... But mounted on the IIIf or the M4-P it feels pretty solid, even the clickless aperture doesn't bother me at this point. And the results? Wow, they blow me away! So good, so cheap.
hexiplex
Well-known
A shot from the Jupiter-8 on the Leica IIIf RD, nothing good... I just really liked the character of the shot. I think it was at f/2.8, or possibly f/4.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Huh. I picked up a J8 and I61 L/D when I first got started. I was happy with the J8 shots and the first time I used the I61 L/D, I coincidentally discovered holes in the curtains. I think that subconsciously turned me off to the lens or anything.
I was doing some focus testing (just tape on the back of a FED2 - I don't have a better way of calibrating them) when I noticed just how sharp the Industar seemed to be. I need to give that lens another go.
I was doing some focus testing (just tape on the back of a FED2 - I don't have a better way of calibrating them) when I noticed just how sharp the Industar seemed to be. I need to give that lens another go.
windraider
Established
Am currently holding on to J8, I61LD & collapsible Fed LTM lense.
Although all are competent image makers, the I61 performs the best in terms of handling, sharpness & contrast followed by the J8 then the Fed. Love the Fed for its compact size and unique character though.
Ironincally my best experience with a lense was with a Helios in Kiev mount. When the light was right, it rendered 3D images with the subject sharp and full of details and the background smooth and with a shade less contrast (like it was covered in rice paper!) Unfortunately had to part with the lense because the camera just needed too much attention- needed to be repaired/adjusted after every roll.
Although all are competent image makers, the I61 performs the best in terms of handling, sharpness & contrast followed by the J8 then the Fed. Love the Fed for its compact size and unique character though.
Ironincally my best experience with a lense was with a Helios in Kiev mount. When the light was right, it rendered 3D images with the subject sharp and full of details and the background smooth and with a shade less contrast (like it was covered in rice paper!) Unfortunately had to part with the lense because the camera just needed too much attention- needed to be repaired/adjusted after every roll.
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kievman
Kievman
Jupitar 8 By Far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jupitar 8 By Far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have so many Jupitar 8's and all of them, (except one) are fantastic lens!!!!!!!!!! MY problem is deciding which is the Best!!!!!!!! and you cant beat the price. a close second is the helios 103 by only because I dont care for ergonomics of the lens. It is in fact sharper than the Jupitar 8 but handling is not so great. The Jupitar always shines thru!!!!!!
Jupitar 8 By Far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have so many Jupitar 8's and all of them, (except one) are fantastic lens!!!!!!!!!! MY problem is deciding which is the Best!!!!!!!! and you cant beat the price. a close second is the helios 103 by only because I dont care for ergonomics of the lens. It is in fact sharper than the Jupitar 8 but handling is not so great. The Jupitar always shines thru!!!!!!
stevebrot
Established
RE: Helios-103 handling...Are you referring to changing aperture rather than focussing? I prefer to turn the lens rather than using the finger wheel and am forever grabbing the wrong ring!
Steve
DanOnRoute66
I now live in Des Moines
Brian, I take it that the Helios-103 requires some adjustment to focus properly on a Nikon RF?Hard to find a Helios-103 in LTM, much easier to use on a Contax/Kiev or Nikon.
The Menopta is a rebranded Helios-103, came out in the 90s.
Helios-103 on the Nikon RF:
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
The Industar-61 has really nice OOF background when wide open ... but I have a special affinity for the Helios-103. Too bad it wasn't on the voting list.
lost eden
Member
Just got the test roll back from my recently acquired FED-2 + Industar-26M. Rather pleased with how sharp the lens can be, but finding 2.8 a little slow for shooting indoors with 100/125 film (handholding 1/25 is a bit hit & miss for me...).
Stuart John
Well-known
Industar 26 can't say if it is my favourite as it is the only one I have.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
That's a tough question. My I61 , J12 and J3 as well as my Helios are all superb shooters. Even my Fed50 collapsible (uncoated) does a great job. I guess the I61 if I had to chose its so sharp and light .... hard to beat.
Marko T
Newbie
Industar 61. It's the only one i have 🙂
klapka
Established
Hello every one. This thread is just for me since I am Russian and have had a lot of russian lens to use.
First of all I can not pass with attention some great russian lens which were built not for rangefinders but are still great lens:
1. T-22 - a wonderful Cooke triplet wich I used to have on my scale focusing Smena 8m 20 years ago.
2. Helios-81n (50mm f2) from Kiev-19 which can today be easily put on any modern Nikon - a great lens for my Nikon D70 which made my Nikkor 50 f1,4 idle on a shelf.
3. A wonderful Biogon copy Jupiter-9 which is a great portrait maker.
Now - the rangefinder lens. At last!
Strange, the was no Jupiter-12 (35mm f2,8 Biogon copy) included in the poll - great portraits with volume wide open + great sharp crisp detalisation when closed. Love this lens. It makes me want a Biogon for my M6.
Next. My favourite 50mm rangefinder lens is Jupiter-3:
My favourite 35mm rangefinder lens is Jupiter-12:
And the one I like for its vintage look is Industar-22:
Of course all my russian lens I use on russian cameras (Zorki-6 is my favourite) and do regret every time I have to use Nokton on my Leica instead of Jupiter-3 (yet.. Nokton is also my dearly loved..)
First of all I can not pass with attention some great russian lens which were built not for rangefinders but are still great lens:
1. T-22 - a wonderful Cooke triplet wich I used to have on my scale focusing Smena 8m 20 years ago.
2. Helios-81n (50mm f2) from Kiev-19 which can today be easily put on any modern Nikon - a great lens for my Nikon D70 which made my Nikkor 50 f1,4 idle on a shelf.
3. A wonderful Biogon copy Jupiter-9 which is a great portrait maker.
Now - the rangefinder lens. At last!
Strange, the was no Jupiter-12 (35mm f2,8 Biogon copy) included in the poll - great portraits with volume wide open + great sharp crisp detalisation when closed. Love this lens. It makes me want a Biogon for my M6.
Next. My favourite 50mm rangefinder lens is Jupiter-3:
My favourite 35mm rangefinder lens is Jupiter-12:
And the one I like for its vintage look is Industar-22:
Of course all my russian lens I use on russian cameras (Zorki-6 is my favourite) and do regret every time I have to use Nokton on my Leica instead of Jupiter-3 (yet.. Nokton is also my dearly loved..)
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