Jupiter-8 2/50 in-depth review(all 4 versions)

Detailed review of all 4 versions of Jupiter-8 lens with L39 thread mount. With test shoots, using Sony A7.
Full size samples are available here postimg.cc/gallery/uocs6duy/
please visit my eBay stores at:
www.ebay.com/usr/kosbik84
www.ebay.com/usr/retrofotohouse

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Available in my eBay store: Jupiter-8 type2 in pristine condition Leica M mount converted and rangefinder adjusted www.ebay.com/itm/223972664367 www.ebay.com/itm/324115142095 Jupiter-8 type2 in excellent condition L39 mount www.ebay.com/itm/324116594964

[@avelinooliveira7129]

on the type 4 how can we relate the serial numbers to the year of the lens? What coating color should we see on the type 4 and type 1? many thanks.

[@denisnalez6117]

It is missing

[@Cazaq]

Loving your channel, mate! Keep it up.

[@lrochfort]

Excellent, thorough review. Thanks so much.

[@jonlouis2582]

This was very interesting. I love these Soviet lenses a lot, and also your great service. I use mine a lot. If my house ever catches fire one of the first things I will grab are the lenses you sold to me. Thanks again.

[@RetroFotoHouse]

You're welcome! :)

[@philg6757]

Thank you,very informative.

[@peterrlee100]

what a great video.I really enjoyed it.I purchased a 'type 1" from Roman and am really happy with it .Superb bokeh

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Thank you for you kind words, Peter!

[@anandanbaskaran3142]

Excellent review , at the moment searching for type 1 or type 4 in your Ebay shop.

[@50mmnikonainikkor55]

So informative thank you. Now i know where to confidently buy these lenses( from you ).

[@josephlow1102]

Your review is informative - thank you - but you are mistaken to state the filter size of 49mm - it is 40.5mm

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Yes, indeed! Thank you for correcting!

[@glazou1er]

Great video Will you do a video to how fix a sticky Aperture for the version 4? Anyway love your chanel,

[@markharris5771]

A very interesting video, I love my Jupiter 8, but mine is a 1974 copy in mental with a large dark metal focusing ring and Cyrillic writing. I wish I could send you my lens for a CLA, yours look beautiful.

[@Archontasil]

Thank you, i have the type 2 lens, but it's very soft and have very low contrast. Is it because of fungus?

[@billk5631]

Excellent. Thank you very much

[@jeghedderhenrik]

Thankyou its very good information, i m very happy to learn about these versions. i will share this video,

[@RetroFotoHouse]

You're welcome!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

if i like to order a jupiter 9 lens from your ebay shop, how can i make sure to get an optical very sharp copy of that lens,,, im looking for a very last lens buying for my own christmas gift, and i want my last lens shopping to be perfect, - i know that there can be very big difference in sharpness from one lens to another lens, when i buy old lenses...i have learned a lot of your lens repair videos, - but i sometimes destroy a lens because im not a good repair man like you are...

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Hello! Actually i have very nice early jupiter-9 silver lens in my shop, if you write me your email address, i could send you sample pics made with this lens at different F stops using my sony a7, so you could asses by yourself a sharpness

[@jeghedderhenrik]

is the silver version the better one? my mail "[e-mail]"

[@jeghedderhenrik]

please share a link to your ebay shop

[@mykilldarcshyne3554]

I just picked up a fd to micro 4/3rds adapter for my black magic and was wondering if the Vintage lens Jupiter-8M Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens would be able to work on there? If not what would the recommended adapter or model of jupiter be that would work?

[@adamvarga7789]

Great video, thank you.

[@DIGIHENDRIX300]

i was looking for an adapter for my jupiter 8m 50mm contax/kiev lens.. i have black magic4k so the mount is micro four thirds....been told about all types of adapters so im confused.. do i look for the contax/kiev to m3/4 or c/y m4/3 0.7x ?

[@DrAhmedSubhyMansourAhlAlquran]

thanks , I already bought the JUPITER-11 4/135 red "P" Nikon F mount lens *INFINITY ADJUSTED!* from your ebay store , can you please tell me how to can I use this lens with Sony A7s Camera, can you please post a link for the adapter. thanks

[@bloubear2557]

Since it's modified for Nikon, get the m42 to Nikon without the glass, and add another adapter Nikon to Sony e mount.

[@bloubear2557]

Ignore the m42 to Nikon. If the lens already has a fixed Nikon mount

[@justcallmesando]

I got the red mark version after watching this video. Very nice lens indeed. It works great on film.

[@alessandrodini5999]

i can't find the lens in ebey shop, i find only watercolor paint. Cheers, from italy man.

[@imagecom]

GREAT REVIEW! I have V1 and V4. Dude, that V1 looks awesome, how did you polish it?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

I use GOI paste and polishing mashine. Customers want full service, you understand...

[@Greg88888]

Hello, perhaps you can help me. I'm looking at getting an a7 body to use with my m39 Jupiter 8. Bit concerned any m39 to Sony A mount adapters will be intended for old Leica 39 lenses and won't allow focusing to infinity with russian lenses. Has this been an issue for you?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

just take simple m39-sony e adapter and you're all set.

[@jufegom]

Thanks, very interesting.

[@MrFatcat1966]

Thank you for info .love my type 1 1955 jupiter 8.do you know if the story about that in the erly jupiter 8 there is Carl zeiss glas until 1956 og 57 ?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

yes, i know the story and it is true, but until 1949. And that jupiter was called ZK 2/50

[@GeorgiosKalaydjian]

Thank you very important information about this beautiful lens. I read that the Jupiter 8 lenses are radioactive, is that applicable for all the 4 types?

[@JeremyGalloway]

I have type 4 and love it!

[@RetroFotoHouse]

yes, me too! I use it onto my Leica M8. I've adjusted a rangefinder coupling unit to get exact focus correspondance with rangefinder!

[@ZachBoyce]

Any experience using this with Helicoid - I'm mostly interested in achieving a closer focusing distance, while maintaining infinity focus.

[@RetroFotoHouse]

it is not possible, friend

[@matickos3791]

Hi! Question: I have the type 1 lens, does it come apart the same way as helios lenses? Helicoid unscrews from the bottom, counterclock wise? I can't unscrew mine, but wanted to check before I break something :) My aperture ring has weird movement and "bumps", wanted to check and clean it. Thx!

[@gregsmith6373]

Thank you! Cheers from Poland :)

[@MrMilanina]

What about Jupiter-8-1 from '90? Have you had a chance to try that one out? Would you expect it be be as good as the previous black version (with green markings)?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Hi! Once i had a chance to try it, it is rare. Frankly speaking i did not notice any differencies in image rendition compared to normal black type 4 jupiter-8

[@ohjajohh]

I will pick up the silver type 2 tomorrow. It looks like a very cool lens

[@RetroFotoHouse]

indeed it is

[@MaxHeadroomsTV]

Спасибо за обзор. А как насчет варианта Юпитер-8-1? Выпускался уже перед самим развалом СССР, редко где попадается. Или это то же самое что и 4й вариант объектива в обзоре?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Он очень редкий. Держал в руках всего один-два раза. В процессе использования ошутимой разницы не увидел, сравнивая с юп-8 тип 4. Да и разницы то всего-цвет цифр на кольце фокуса да и цифра 1 возле 8 на переднем кольце.

[@gerben4875]

Hi, could you let me know if any of these variants are radioactive? thx for the in depth review!

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Hi! No, they are not radioactive

[@ViktorGabyshev]

Добрый день, спасибо, очень информативно! А как на счёт фокуса на бесконечность на вашей семёрке? Я слышал, что у "белых" версий его нет? Зайду в ваш ибэй магазин, хотел бы купить беленький юпитер, классно смотрится на камере)),

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Это неправда. Если нормальный адаптер-бесконечность будет. С ув.

[@WarrenRoddy]

What is the Jupiter 8-1 in black with green numbers? Is it still a type 4?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Basically yes, this is rare version of type 4. Once i had it in my hands, i did not notice any differencies exept appearance

[@codiecrieg2480]

Are you totally sure about 3 gen? I get mine in really good condition and i use hood all time. I have 4th gen and in my opinion it is really same as 3 one on leica III and m2. Maybe you have different revision or sth. Please share with me your opiion. Great material anyway cheers o/

[@lillymoon8088]

Hi, would iz fit with the Nikon d 3400 and M39 adapter ?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

no, it won't

[@firman_adams]

May I know what type of adapter are you using? I'm using a jupiter k3 50mm f1.5 the focus is really bad. Please help

[@RetroFotoHouse]

simple m39-sony E adaper. If focus is bad, you need to re-grease it

[@JamesE707]

I enjoyed your video, thanks! :o) If possible, it may be a better idea to test the above 4 versions on a Leica M9? Remember - the M9 (and later versions?) have micro-lenses on their sensors to redirect the photons at the frame sensor edges to give a true and accurate capture. regards.

[@Turnipagenda]

Very helpful.

[@jel88]

I came across another Jupiter 8-1 lens from 1991 on the internet. Is this an improved model?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Yes, this one is slightly different and rare. My review was about classic jupiter-8 lens.

[@cjewe1z]

Do all Type 4s have Cyrillic text on the front?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

No, i've seen few with latin markings as well

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I have a "Red P" '57 KMZ J-8. It is as fine a 50 as I have, the equal of some CZJ 5cms and other Sonnars. The '51 is a good lens, too, but not as good. The KMZ J-8 is a very good lens, the Type I's. Thanks.

[@4choooKai]

Hello, have you ever encountered a Jupiter 8 that's made of brass instead of aluminium? It also has "Made in USSR" (note the capitalization) marking on it. I heard it's a rare version, is it true?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

no, i never encountered such. Though i sold few hundreds of jupiters-8

[@4choooKai]

@@RetroFotoHouse I just got a Jupiter 8 a few days ago and it's made of silver brass (?) instead of aluminium! It's not light, but not heavy either. One thing for sure is that it doesn't feel like a 110g lens, it has some heft to it. The serial number is starts with 62XXX and it has that "Made in USSR" marking that I mentioned before. I'm surprised that you never heard of this version, big chance that this is a rare version, maybe?

[@josephsiiiyahoocom]

I have some Soviet lenses. I need to clean them. Some have fungus etc. What should I not use to clean the outer elements? I would expect vinegar and 705 ISO alcohol would damage lens coatings. Can anyone advise me?

[@samsen201]

You can use 70% or higher, isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol) to clean glass part of lens. The lower percentage such as 50% or lower (That is sold by 99 cent shop, cheap shops etc.) is not a good substitute as you need a kind of fluid that evaporate very fast and leaves least/No residue. You should use multiple Q-tips (damped not socked with alcohol solution) when rubbed by their side down, parallel to lens (Not by tip) and without much pressure, in a circular fashion, over the lens to remove that residue of dirt. By using multiple and quickly discarding these Q-tips frequently, you prevent spread of residue and spread all over. If you press too much, then you can damage the lens coating and if you use an abrasive peace of cloth such a commonly and foolishly used shirt or a clearing tissue, you are sure to permanently damage the lens coating.

[@stinkystealthysloth]

I'd say you'd need a much higher sample size for each lens due to inconsistent quality control during production

[@mikafoxx2717]

He refurbishes and sells these and other soviet lenses, and has had many hundreds through his hands, he knows what he's talking about.

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Your links are broken. What is your EBay name up there.

[@RetroFotoHouse]

I'm in summer holidays right now. All links will be working from sep 1

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

@@RetroFotoHouse Thanks

[@TorpedoJohnes]

Найс видео, вэри интэрэстинг, сенк ю вэри мачь)

[@RetroFotoHouse]

ю ар велкам!

[@executor966]

наилучшая версия юпитер-3 не подскажите?

[@RetroFotoHouse]

На мой взгляд-ранняя КМЗшная, выпускалась до 1955 года.

[@executor966]

спасибо, большое уважение вашему труду! :)

[@nukecoke87]

There is a pre-1955 version which looks like the type 1 as you called, but it has a double-heicoid focus design, which is harder to assemble/reassemble. www.sovietcams.com/sovietcams/m/m_images/wfiles/i1A38R642.jpg Here is an image, you may note the difference near the lens mount between it and the type 1 you called.

[@RetroFotoHouse]

I guess this is prototype. It is so rare, that i never get it in my hands, however i have hundreds jupiters-8 sold via my ebay shop

[@nukecoke87]

The PT3020 is more like a prototype but the PT3030 is not very rare. I own one and see them every now and then on eBay. For instance here: www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Jupiter-8-lens-2-50-mm-1950-year-M39-Zorki-mount-Excellent-5005986-/272404693165?hash=item3f6c95c0ad:g:zdwAAOSwzaJX959E You can further see that there are no "three screws" on the bottom of the lens mount, which is an distinct feature of this version. For today's use, it only adds trouble since it's harder to service...

[@nukecoke87]

By the way, my sample of this lens has a gold-yellow coating tint instead of purple as many of the 1950s Jupiter-8 have. But I'm not sure all pre-1955 Jupiter-8 have the same gold-yellow coating tint. I don't think the different coating tint makes a difference but the purple ones look very cheap :D

[@RetroFotoHouse]

Yes, indeed. This lens is early 50s production. I guess price is so high because it still uses a stock of german produced optical glass. However it is quite rare. I personally did not get it. Thank you for this information, though. Coating titnt makes no difference i guess.

[@nukecoke87]

You are welcome, we need sellers who can get easy access to FSU cameras & lenses and care to SERVICE and better TEST them before selling instead of just dumping them randomly on eBay. There are a couple of "premium" sellers of FSU photo gears like SynOptics, who make their cameras and lenses pretty. But as far as I know even they don't replace the shutter curtains, either test the lenses with focus accuracy. The lens focus accuracy doesn't need to be tested on real film but can be done with a piece of ground glass or matte-finished tape stick to the film rails of the camera. And lens sharpness can be easily tested by using digital camera. So if the lens sharpness, lens focus accuracy and camera shutter curtains replacement, if these three things can be done, I don't mind paying three times more than average eBay price to buy FSU photo gears.

[@dandanu2526]

I have the type 3:(((((

[@BurninSven1]

I just bought this lens and it is not even close to sharp so I wont use it much I am afraid

[@KC2Lucky]

4 years later and they are not €20.. more like €200

[@grecusorin8664]

mudak.

[@user-tn5zq8qh5y]

The best завод Арсенал. КМЗ отвратительное качество стекла, линзы полный отстой, кроме индустара 22 1951-52 года. Корпуса объективов лучшие у КМЗ. Покажите фотографии сделанные юпитер 8 кмз, очень интересно посмотреть:) и сравнить с киевскими ю8.