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Archive 2015 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions

  
 
Aaron D
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Anybody here have experience with this lens? Im considering this as my next alt mf lens.

Ive got a nice Yashica DX 28/2.8, Rokkor 58/1.4, Pentacon 135/2.8 (on the way from Germany). So now Im looking at 80/85mm primes. Id like a Nikkor H 85/1.8, but that will be out of the price range for now.

Ive heard say the Jupiter has what some consider busy bokeh. Any other fairly decent 80/85 primes in the $100-150 price range to consider? Cheaper will work too, as long as its as good or better.

Side note, I looked into a Volna. Id rather not use a medium format lens on a crop though.



Mar 12, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Fred Bruche
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


I had one a few years ago, reasonably sharp wide open but I would agree on the busy bokeh. Below are 2 examples shot with that lens (same model, taken minutes apart), but overall I didn't use it much.
Other options in that price and focal range and decent (sorry, no picture taken with these to share right now):
- Mamiya sekor 80/2.8 (645 mount)
- CZJ biometar 80/2.8 (I have one in M42 mount, 'silver' body)

http://fred-bruche.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Marena/Feb0611/i-zh3km8z/2/L/XC3Y4389-L.jpg

http://fred-bruche.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Marena/Feb0611/i-VZr9gWf/0/L/XC3Y4384-L.jpg



Mar 12, 2015 at 07:52 PM
Aaron D
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Yeah that is some busy bokeh, good example. Is a sharp looking lens though.
Id like to try and keep away from medium format lenses, so I'll look into that Zeiss biometar.
Thanks Fred!



Mar 12, 2015 at 08:02 PM
LightShow
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Another from the CZJ 80
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14731915685_83516fa7d3_k.jpg



Mar 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM
sebboh
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


i really like my j9, it has a lovely focus fall off for portraits and is sharp enough for most things. the roughish bokeh at f/2 provides nice character that is replaced by smoothness by f/2.8. the negatives are build, flare resistance, and corner sharpness/contrast for landscape.

a shot of the version i have on the a7:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/13970639448_2ddbd1fcda_o.jpg
and some samples:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14155211419_52cc35d2bb_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14681615086_c26787870b_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/14681617206_594bf34331_o.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/14753714340_e52514ed65_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14706796239_b7a74d80bf_o.jpg





Mar 13, 2015 at 01:50 AM
shirozina
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Canon FD 85mm 1.8........


Mar 13, 2015 at 02:12 AM
Aaron D
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Thanks Sebboh. @2.8, bokeh looks much better. Still need to look into the CZJ Lightshow mentioned.

shirozina wrote:
Canon FD 85mm 1.8........

Out of the question. This is for a 60D. At current 85FD prices + $100 for an Ed Mika conversion, Im over $200. At which point my question would be "Canon 85/1.8 or Nikkor 85/1.8H". Thanks though. When I pull the trigger, if I have more to spend, I'll consider it.

I've yet to spend more than $110 on any of my 3 favorite mf primes so far, all of which are quite decent. Im trying to keep that tradition alive. I figure if Im going to spend big bucks on top notch primes, well, I wouldnt be in the alt forum



Mar 13, 2015 at 01:40 PM
sebboh
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Aaron D wrote:
Thanks Sebboh. @2.8, bokeh looks much better. Still need to look into the CZJ Lightshow mentioned.


all of those are at f/2 except for 1st one which is a 2 image stitch where the right half is at f/2.8.

here is the only direct comparison i have online:
f/2:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14706734269_fffbd6d7f4_o.jpg
f/2.8:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/14706772188_f02ff3c984_o.jpg
and f/8:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14893351535_e968b97bee_o.jpg





Mar 13, 2015 at 03:44 PM
Aaron D
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Ah ok, thanks! The bokeh in Freds examples is more exxagerated, so I assumed yours was 2.8. Actually, I dont think its more exxagerated now that I look at your first examples again. In Freds, the background to subject is just closer, and theres much more going in in the back.

The CZJ 80 biometar...thats a medium format lens, isnt it? And after reading more about the Jupiter, and how getting a good one can be a crapshoot, Ive reconsidered using a medium format lens.

I was concerned that a medium format lens wouldnt be the best for resolving detail on a crop sensor. Then it occured to me...if Im that concerned with detail, I wouldnt be considering sub-$150 lenses that are 40-50+ years old... DOH! So the Mamiya is a valid choice, especially after seeing their prices. Sample pics must be found! Time to google....



Mar 13, 2015 at 05:38 PM
pinholecam
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


MHO, the problem with the J9 is finding a good one.
This may involve one (if lucky or good dealer) or multiple copies (if unlucky)
That makes more sense in the past when they were cheaper than now if its cost being comparable to many other 85mm f1.8-f2 options.

A good copy is not soft.
Its certainly sharp enough in the center from wide open.
My first copy of the J9 looked good on the exterior but was soft (and I thought they were all like that).
But I managed to try a friend's copy which was good from wide open, which encouraged me to look for another copy.
This time, it was a beaten up one on the outside, but optically it was good.

Some shots with the better J9.

20150118-DSC08271-bw-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr


DSC0426220140215ILCE-7-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20141122-DSC06853-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

By modern standards its not as sharp of course, but its certainly sharp enough (good copy)
Its a sort of Sonnar soft/sharp look that makes it different.
Bokeh, I think its smooth in most case, but as with any 85mm f1.8-f2, it can go bad in some bkgnd types, distances. The rounder aperture is a bonus wrt more modern options though.
Flare resistance is not good, though it is no deal breaker in most cases.


IMHO, rendering (and perhaps history/lineage) is what this lens is about imho.
Else, there are many technically better 85mm lenses for the price.



Mar 13, 2015 at 10:21 PM
Aaron D
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Thanks Pinhole.
Finding a "good" one is my concern. The character and lineage is what attracts me. I don't have a Russian lens yet, and that's the appeal to me. Maybe I'll save the Russian appeal for a new catadioptric and stick to Japanese and German for the shorter FL's.



Mar 15, 2015 at 10:16 PM
sebboh
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Aaron D wrote:
Thanks Pinhole.
Finding a "good" one is my concern. The character and lineage is what attracts me. I don't have a Russian lens yet, and that's the appeal to me. Maybe I'll save the Russian appeal for a new catadioptric and stick to Japanese and German for the shorter FL's.


i'm not convinced sample variation is really that bad, sure it's worse than the leica and zeiss lenses they were knocking off, but it's not that hard to find a good copy. i've bought 3 russian lenses in user condition and they've all been good. good mirror lenses seem much harder to make though, i expect more issues with them than more pedestrian designs.




Mar 15, 2015 at 11:50 PM
pinholecam
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Aaron D wrote:
Thanks Pinhole.
Finding a "good" one is my concern. The character and lineage is what attracts me. I don't have a Russian lens yet, and that's the appeal to me. Maybe I'll save the Russian appeal for a new catadioptric and stick to Japanese and German for the shorter FL's.


I somewhat agree with Sebboh.
There are as many bad lenses passed off as good on any brand on ebay as there are Russians.
I've had my share of hazed Leica (from reputable store BGN grade, though they accepted its return); Fungused Pentax; blotched CLA lens.

In fact I have 8 Russian lenses and only the first J9 was bad.



It will boil down to finding a reputable dealer, getting from a store which you can try to minimize the risks.


So don't be too put off by my earlier comments and give the lenses some consideration if you like what they give.





Mar 17, 2015 at 01:12 AM
OpticalFlow
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Aaron D wrote:
The CZJ 80 biometar...thats a medium format lens, isnt it? And after reading more about the Jupiter, and how getting a good one can be a crapshoot, Ive reconsidered using a medium format lens.


The medium format 80 biometar is more common, but there is also an M42 version that covers "full frame". The M42 is somewhat of a collectible and as such quite expensive. I had one for a while. It's a decent lens but doesn't have any special character that would justify paying the premium IMHO.



Mar 17, 2015 at 04:02 AM
OpticalFlow
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


BTW, I think a Nikkor H 85 1.8 shouldn't be too expensive. I've seen them quite cheaply. I wouldn't think of it as a character lens though - had one briefly - very solid performer.

Not sure whether you just want a good portrait lens cheaply or something with special rendering. Other relatively cheap options include the Nikon 85 2 (seen one sell for 65 EUR here in Germany last week) and the Rollei Zeiss Sonnar 85 2.8 (can be had around 100 EUR). There are some good thin mount adapters from QBM to EF mount these days.



Mar 17, 2015 at 04:06 AM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Jupiter-9 85/2...mf prime opinions


Igor's Camera has a Kiev mount J9 here for $100. You'll have to call to find out if he still has it, since his site doesn't update in real time with his sales, but his ratings are usually spot on for glass/mechanical condition. He's less concerned with cosmetics, so if that matters to you, ask him about it specifically. If you don't already have the Contax/Kiev adapter, you'll want to look at the simple versions. You don't need the helicoid version to work with this lens.


Mar 17, 2015 at 04:19 PM





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