JUPITER-8 50mm f/2 | A Charming Nifty Fifty

[@MarcoAries]

It does lead the eye to the center of the frame and the colors seem to be quite pleasant!

[@plannerjohn]

I own a 1954 version that I purchased for about $45 last year, and it’s one of my favorite lenses. I absolutely love the way it renders colors in such a soft manner.

[@1kwords]

I agree. I think it's one of the more pleasant 50s I have ever used.

[@Itchybiscuit]

I have 2 copies of this wonderful lens. A glossy black version (086262) and an aluminium (017669) which I believe are both PT3090 series lenses. Both are export lenses, both are in mint condition - very small amount of oxidization around the zone focus scale on the silver lens. I agree with your verdict - keep the light source well away from the front element. I find colours to be slightly washed out even when the light is behind but that is easily fixed in PP. Wide open, the bokeh is absolutely wild. I have photographs of cherry blossom in Spring which are a riot of hazy bubbles. I have also experienced a slight fall-off of sharpness out towards the edge of the frame. I have tried it on both my A7II and my Fujifilm Xe3 and find I get better results from the smaller sensor. As ever, thanks for your interesting and informative video.

[@1kwords]

My pleasure, thank you for you comment.

[@stevocem]

Thanks! Pretty cool

[@mrgrandad1961]

Yeah cool video man...I may well get one !!

[@1kwords]

No reason not to. They're usually cheap as chips and they make pretty pictures.

[@lxhk3595]

Thanks for getting this straight that the Russian copies of German constructions were regular war reparations. The destruction in the East of Europe was unimaginable for us today. Today we can be happy to have millions of copies of Sonnars, making those gems accessible to everybody.

[@1kwords]

Sure thing. I'm a big fan of the truth and of facts and historical accuracy.

[@kruno7150]

...just to add, first soviet 50mm f2 with this optical scheme were called Z.K. 50mm f2 (Sonnar Krasnogorsk) and they were made using Zeiss glass (and, according to some sources, with Zeiss machinery). Couple of models were made '47-'49 (needles to say, they are very rare today) but after Soviets slightly recalculated optical formula to use their glass (which is different than German) so it can be said Jupiter-8 is Soviet adapted version of Sonnar. There is also couple of sub-versions of Jupiter-8 (not talking about different mounts, but apparently significant optical scheme difference, there is very heated discussion on mflenses forum). I have few of them (late '50s KMZ version seems to be the best) but idn, don't see anything that stands out, good lens but somewhat boring

[@1kwords]

I agree. Sometimes it can get bland and a bit too common, but all in all I find it pleasant and charming.

[@seoulrydr]

He's a goddamn historian now??? And politically correct at that??? tyvm for setting the record straight!

[@1kwords]

Politically correct? Me? That'll be the day... Do you perhaps, instead mean historically accurate?

[@seoulrydr]

@@1kwords hell yes?