Which is your favorite FSU "normal lens" and why?

Which is your favorite FSU "normal lens" and why?

  • Industar 22 (50mm f3.5)

    Votes: 38 6.9%
  • Industar 50 (50mm f3.5)

    Votes: 29 5.2%
  • Industar 26 (52mm f2.8)

    Votes: 14 2.5%
  • Industar 61 (52mm f2.8)

    Votes: 91 16.5%
  • Jupiter 8 (50mm f2.0)

    Votes: 249 45.0%
  • Jupiter 3 (50mm f1.5)

    Votes: 146 26.4%
  • other

    Votes: 38 6.9%

  • Total voters
    553
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.

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I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th

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I-50 collapsible f/3.5 1/30th
 
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.:)


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that's insanely rich in details. very nice out of focus too. great shot, Brian.


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.
 
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
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And even a very good color lens.

Provia

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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.
 
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.


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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.
 
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.
 
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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!!!!!!
 
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!!!!!!


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
 
Hard to find a Helios-103 in LTM, much easier to use on a Contax/Kiev or Nikon.

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The Menopta is a rebranded Helios-103, came out in the 90s.

Helios-103 on the Nikon RF:

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Brian, I take it that the Helios-103 requires some adjustment to focus properly on a Nikon RF?
 
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.
 
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...).

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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.
 
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:

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My favourite 35mm rangefinder lens is Jupiter-12:

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And the one I like for its vintage look is Industar-22:

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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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