The underrated vintage soviet telephoto lens - Jupiter 21m 200mm f4 - review and test

[@madmechanic7641]

Just for information the Nikon 70-200mm tripod mount fits this lens beautifully with a slightly longer M6 bolt. Makes it so much easier to handle and not putting a kilo strain on camera mount.. : )

[@MarcoAries]

Thank you for sharing!

[@bebopganymede]

Ever since I had a x-e1 with a helios 44-m 58 f2 I've had an obsession with USSR glass. Finally got another X-E1 and another Helios 44-M 58 f2 again and it's near mint and brings me back to 2018-2019

[@MarcoAries]

Well, the Jupiter doesn't have the same character of the Helios, but it is a good lens and if you are into Soviet glass, I'd say it is worth giving it a try!

[@vme3000]

Saw this in the vintage lens group on facebook and I'm glad I clocked the link to this awesome video

[@MarcoAries]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryanbeer5262]

Nice, I have the Nikon 200 f4, looks like it compares well with that lens. I use it on a crop sensor, so it's a compact 300.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, the reach with lenses like these on APS-C sensors is great!

[@guerrajolly7078]

Incredibile, cercare su youtube teleobbiettivi vintage e trovarsi un video fatto non solo in Italia, ma vicino alla mia città! Sono andato 5 anni a scuola a Ud e quando ho visto quella cupola mentre gironzolavo per il video cercando un pò le immagini scattate mi sono bloccato di colpo. "Guarda, assomiglia a quella che c'è ad Ud! Aspetta... Quei due condomini, quella rete elettrica in secondo piano...questa non assomiglia a Ud, questa E' ud!!!" grande, bel video comunque

[@MarcoAries]

In effetti siamo pochi italiani in questo campo 😅 Felice che il video ti sia piaciuto.

[@dadasese69]

I bought 2 of this lens because I travel often I keep one in each locations, it is an excellent lens!

[@MarcoAries]

Good for you!

[@thegroove2000]

The images look lovely. Nice and sharp as well.

[@MarcoAries]

Much sharper and clean than what I was expecting!

[@thegroove2000]

@@MarcoAries Thanks.

[@wasimahmed457]

love this lens . using it on fujiflim xt2

[@MarcoAries]

It's big and heavy, but it does get the job done 😉

[@svtcontour]

I have this and I really like it. Mine has some dust inside but I dont think I see any degradation

[@MarcoAries]

Right, a few specs of dust do not affect the image quality and if they don't even show up when stopping down there is no reason to open the lens to clean it 😉

[@svtcontour]

@@MarcoAries LOL no definitely dont want to break anything. Better even if any tiny spots to fix in photoshop than risk it :)

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, I agree! 😁

[@TheAlirezaFallah]

thanks for review is it a Full-frame lens i mean on sony a7iii its still 200mm

[@MarcoAries]

Yes, it is

[@Jazzinthecountry]

I'm going to take a chance with one that i found for $150 Canadian. It looks like it has the potential to be a half decent astro lens.

[@MarcoAries]

Don't know how the market is in Canada, but that's double what I would pay for one in perfect condition! As I always say: don't overpay!

[@Jazzinthecountry]

@MarcoAries I hadn't made my offer yet before I read this, thankfully. I just offered $100.

[@abbycasanova1380]

best 200mm vintage lens. very heavy lens but full of character. love it

[@MarcoAries]

I can't say if it is the best, but sure it is really good! 😉

[@abbycasanova1380]

@@MarcoAries yes you are correct

[@thegroove2000]

@@MarcoAries The best is arguably subjective but vintage lenses adds that certain magic to the image. The images you have taken are fantastic proving it's a good lens based on the results.

[@damiendehorn6350]

Looks quite sharp at the centre. Did you shoot it wide open?

[@MarcoAries]

Yes, I shot mostly wide open, it is indeed sharp, more than what I was expecting!

[@kainbre]

Metadata on m42? What do you mean?

[@MarcoAries]

I meant the metadata of the pictures 😅

[@MrCGangsta]

@@MarcoAries how do u get meta data on a vintage lens ?

[@MarcoAries]

There's obviously no focal length and aperture, but shitter speed and iso are still baked into the file 😉

[@GlitteratiLive]

Thanks for sharing. Could you please elaborate how it hinders your workflow?

[@MarcoAries]

Absolutely. For me, doing mostly run and gun, and fast paced stuff like fencing, it's too heavy and big, even focusing is slower. My wrist hurts after just a couple shots (although, I have joints problems), and it is too cumbersome to carry around. 😉

[@GlitteratiLive]

@@MarcoAries will compare the dimensions and weight with my Konica 200mm f4. My impressions was that it was similar, but maybe I’m wrong. ;-)

[@MarcoAries]

Let me know if and how much they differ! Thanks!

[@GlitteratiLive]

@@MarcoAries the Konica is 151mm long and 850 gr. yours is heavier, indeed.

[@MarcoAries]

Thank you for letting me know! 😉

[@aysegulata4148]

Is it better than Nikon 200mm f4? Both have similar price. I couldn't decide which one to buy.

[@MarcoAries]

I haven't tried the Nikon, so I can't say, sorry.

[@akosm6310]

Does the Jupiter 21m 200mm f4 fit the nikkon D3300???? Please???

[@MarcoAries]

Not the 21M, the m42 mount has a shorter flange distance than the Nikon F mount. As I said in the video, there is a 21A version which had other mounts including Nikon F, but it is much more rare.

[@Max-Kramer]

Our lenses such as Helios, Mir (means "World"), Jupiter are actually not outstanding in the terms of optic quality. And you have noticed this here :) People talk a lot about them, but for the most part these are romantic embellishments. After World War II (as you may know), we took Carl Zeiss equipment out of Germany. We studied their technique and began to make "our own" lenses based on it. And still they do not have that artistic drawing and sharpness that Zeiss had. Most often, lenses are quite soft, heavy with lack of apropriate coating and few people want to use them on a regular basis. Basically, these are avant-garde photographers who are looking for "something special". And in the end - they use it several times, and then they put it on the shelf :D

[@MarcoAries]

I agree, they are, as you say, romanticized. I look forward to try everything I can get my hands on and understand other people like it, or hate it.

[@sara85eg]

i own this lens, but there is a huge con in it, its not designed for a small cameras like the dslr and the mirrorless cameras , it impossible to put the camera on tripod with this lens it can possibly break it, and the M24 mount doesn't have tripod plate to put the weight on the lens not the camera, with 200mm focal lens this lens for Video it is impossible without tripod its too shaky with this focal lens in unacceptable way so makes it useless as well for a film propose, SAD

[@MarcoAries]

Yes, it would greatly benefit from a collar to mount it to a tripod! There's plenty on Amazon, but I didn't bother buying one because I sold the Jupiter. Even with in-body stabilization, shooting video handheld is, as you say, practically impossible.