Overview of Jupiter-21A 4/200

The Jupiter-21A lens is a legend of the Soviet lens industry. For my review, I got a slightly shabby, but quite functional version of Jupiter-21A 4/200.

Specifications:
A type: four-lens anastigmat, 4 lenses in 3 groups
Focal length: 200 mm
Aperture: F4.0-F22.0
Close Focus Limit: 1,7m
Front Filter Diameter: 58mm
The weight: November 740, XNUMX

Jupiter-21A front view

Jupiter-21A front view

Lens Jupiter-21A produced by the Krasnogorsk plant. Lens Jupiter-21M made at the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant. The differences were that Jupiter-21M had an automatic aperture and, due to the added construct, gave out a picture a little worse. It is believed that Jupiter-21A is one of the most successful lenses of the times of the USSR and one of the best Soviet TV sets. The lens was released in small quantities and it is quite rare nowadays to find it. Today Jupiter-21A is a real functional rarity.

Jupiter-21A in the modern camera

Jupiter-21A in the modern camera

Maximum Aperture F / 4.0 at 200mm focal length gives a huge field for photo creativity. We get a telephoto lens with a rather large relative aperture for such a focal length. It is a pity that manufacturers of modern photographic equipment do not produce such lenses with parameters F / 4, 200mm. According to rumors, Jupiter-21A in aberration is better than many Japanese counterparts, such as Nikon 200mm f / 4 NIKKOR-Q Non-AI. In any case, Jupiter-21A has quite outstanding parameters.

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A 200mm F4.0

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A 200mm F4.0

There are also Jupiter-21A lenses with multilayer enlightenment, but they are even less common than usual and I have never met them. If someone has information about the MS version of Jupiter-21, add it to the comments on this review. The lens is present wonderful lens hood which does not stagger after protruding. The hood is quite long, built-in, which allows you to always take it with you.

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A 200mm F4.0

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A 200mm F4.0

Also, the lens has a replaceable shank, which allows you to easily install the lens on different systems, read more in my article - Soviet optics. On the lens you can find the depth of field scale and the focus distance scale. It should be noted that the device aperture has no fixed values (that is, you can set any intermediate value from f / 4 to f / 22), but it goes smoothly, just like its brother, Jupiter-37A. This is an indispensable feature for video shooting. Due to the lack of autofocus, the lens is convenient to use for portraits and shooting not very distant objects. 10 aperture diaphragm Jupiter-21A allows you to create smooth bokeh circles in the blur zone.

Jupiter-21A general view without an elongated hood

Jupiter-21A general view without an elongated hood

The picture quality is just perfect starting with F4.0. I closed the diaphragm very rarely. At 4.0, the lens is sharp enough and at the same time plastic to create perfect portraits. Long focal lengths perfectly blur the background. The lens really has excellent bokeh. This is due to its Sonnar type circuitry. His younger brother is the well-known Jupiter-37A, which has a 135mm focal length and maximum aperture of F3.5 with the same Sonnar pattern. The lens has a slightly yellow tint in the picture, but the automation of modern cameras easily copes with this.

Jupiter-21A general view on the camera

Jupiter-21A general view on the camera

How to use with modern cameras?

'A' lenses with an interchangeable shank, such as the one in this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both DSLR and mirrorless), just select correct adapter. The replacement 'A' shank usually has an external M42 thread and an 'H' mount (similar to Nikon F). For use on modern cameras, the easiest way is to add the required adapter from M42 to the desired system or from Nikon F to the desired system to this shank.

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A

To say more about Jupiter-21A heavy, but he does not break out the camera mount. Its weight will reduce artifacts from hand shake.

Sample photo on Jupiter-21A

Sample photo on Jupiter-21A

If you are interested in this lens or any other Soviet optics - you can buy Jupiter-21A and much more by contacting the contacts from the manual optics section.

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A

Sample photos on Jupiter-21A


Catalog modern brand lenses 'Zenitar' и 'Helios' can look at this link.


Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Conclusion:
Jupiter-21A 4/200 rare fixed telephoto with outstanding parameters and excellent picture, which can easily compete with modern high-aperture telephoto lenses. The lens has a younger brother - Jupiter 21M 4/200.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Oleg

 

 

Comments: 107, on the topic: Overview of Jupiter-21A 4/200

  • Thank you, Arkady, for popularizing Soviet optics. This is right - there is no need to feed the bourgeoisie. Reading the review, I felt that my review of the Yu-21A was read and creatively revised by you :-) it pleases. I just want to add that the MS of Jupiter-21A did not exist. At least, on the KMZ optics website, nothing is known about it. Perhaps you have other sources? Share it.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you for your feedback. In fact, this review, like all the others, is written from scratch and is not a "rework", although I will not hide, your reviews on Deep-Life.ru sometimes help to clarify some subtleties and details. The only source of information is the markings on the lens itself, which I was shooting with, as well as the exchange of information with colleagues who value Jupiter-21A very much. By the way, the site has a review of Nikkor 200 4 of the oldest version, which I liked much less.

      • Natalia

        Good afternoon! Do you have 21 A in the bins of Jupiter?

  • Nicholas

    I will buy a lens Jupiter-21A

  • Nikita

    I have 21m. It is fastened with a thread to the zenith, can it be used in any way on the Nikon d3000? Maybe some kind of adapter fits?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes you can. Adapter KP-42 \ N, will work with loss of infinity. More details about compatibility with my article Soviet optics.

  • Vlad Dick

    It happened, finally acquired this wonderful lens, the price was 150 bucks through Ebey. Judging by the serial number 000505, my glass is from an experimental batch, i.e. One of the very first, more accurate year of release seems to be impossible to find out. For such a rarity, the optics are just in perfect condition, thanks to the previous owner and the manufacturer. I will use it on my Canon 550D through an adapter, the very first test photos have already confirmed the awesome sharpness. This review has become one of the impetus for the pursuit of this glass, so much thanks to the author. By the way, the yellowness in the pictures has not yet been noticed.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Sincerely happy for you, the lens is really worth it.

  • Dmitriy

    Good day. Tell me can Jupiter 21m, SF Mir-26 B be put on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2? as I understand it, adapters are needed; I am interested in which and where they can be purchased.

  • Victor

    I bought for 1500 rubles a lot of positive impressions about af, and as early as 10 years ago they shot on a scale, moreover, not for free [on tape]

  • Anton

    Please tell me if Jupiter-21m will become on Canon 5dmII, and what adapter will be needed?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Will do. Need adapter M42-Canon EOS. For more details, see the old Canon lenses section.

  • Eugene

    Arkady, can you tell me where to get this lens? Thanks in advance.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      In the section of manual optics

  • Vladimir

    I will buy a new Jupiter-21A tel +79048707490

  • Sergei

    Hello. Please tell me what is better to buy Jupiter 37a, or 21a. I need to greatly blur the background. Thank.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For a portrait - 21a will blur the background more strongly than Jupiter-37a.

  • Anatoly

    And how much has the quality of the U 21M deteriorated compared to the U 21A?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is difficult to give a qualitative assessment, but in general the quality has deteriorated.

  • Anatoly

    At the weekend they will bring Yu 21M to be torn apart, I'll see what you can squeeze out of it :)

  • Anatoly

    I fastened the Yu21M to my Nikon, which I can say is heavy, whale compared to it like a feather. After a small alteration, I received infinity through an adapter, I’ll set it up later (I have a feeling that it should be sharper at infinity). I photographed a concert from 40 meters, a certain percentage of missed focus is present, but most of the photos are sharp. I shot at night 1/200 with an aperture of 5,6. Everything worked out. Maybe U21A will be better, but this one also inspires confidence :)

  • Artem

    I found Y21M on my Nikon D3100 - an adapter without a lens. on the machine, the diaphragm does not work - this is how it should be ???

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, it should be so. More details in the section on Soviet lenses.

  • Vova

    I’m only shooting the film with Soviet different lenses. I don’t believe anyone that such a thing can be taken with a simple zenith-e and Jupiter-21m. Fine optics are no worse, and even better than the Japanese, one German who didn’t want to believe the pictures I shot at one of the exhibitions that it was shot on tape, without using computer processing, he presented me with his dear little gyrocopter, which I have on my shelf but sometimes I dabble in it, but I won’t show anyone that I’ve taken it off because it’s a mess like that and my photographer’s experience with 7 years now with me 61 consider yourself Hello from Transcarpathia

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you for sharing your experience.

    • ALEX

      Vovan at the age of 60 ... Looks like bragging.

    • Victor

      Please share such a huge experience. What 2 Soviet lenses (full-time and long-focus (or portrait)) do you personally consider the best ???

      • Jury

        Helios 40 / 1,5 and Yu.37a are really worthy for a second life with a number and are sometimes able to give a head start.

  • Andrei

    in the last photo is your photo?)))

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The last photo was taken by me, but not me.

  • Gennady

    There are 21m
    New in tube. I will sell

  • Ok go

    Interested in such a nuance, as I understand it, the U 21a lens with a replaceable shank, but how about the U 21m is it possible to replace the shank with K-P / AN on it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Shank replacement is not possible.

  • board of directors

    For many years I have a Jupiter 1 M 21/4 lens. For several years I didn’t crawl it, I tried to mount the TTL on the Zenith and noticed that the mechanism didn’t work with a fast-moving diaphragm. Everything was okay when I crawled the last. If anyone knows let him help. Ahead thanks. Vladimir.mail vyvanov@yahoo.com

  • Alexander

    I found an old Jupiter 21 lens in the garage. But it is marked with T. That is, Jupiter 21T. You can comment - did not find anything on the network

    • Onisimko

      T-tank. Do not go to grandmothers!

  • Alexander

    Good afternoon, I am a novice amateur; I bought a Nikon D3100 camera, I also read reviews about the Jupiter-21A lens and bought it by accident! Next, please answer a few questions:

    1. Which of the adapters is better to put on Jupiter-21A, (KP-A / N, chip, lens) or (KP-A / N, chip)?
    2. Which adapter would you prefer?
    3. Features of mounting the adapter on Jupiter-21A?
    4. Possible analogues of the Russian-made adapter?

    I ask you to explain what tools, materials are used for a full revision of this lens.
    1. Gloves (surgical, cloth)?
    2. Degreasing fluid?
    3. Wiping material?
    3. Disassembly tool?

    Thanks in advance! alampiev76@yandex.ru

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Which adapter is better for Jupiter-21A, (KP-A / N, chip, lens) or (KP-A / N, chip)? - KP-A \ N with a chip would be the best option.
      2. Which adapter would you prefer? - KP-A \ N without a chip, I do not like to play with exposure compensation when working with a chip.
      3. Features of mounting the adapter on Jupiter-21A? - no peculiarities, KP-A \ N is set as described in the article about Soviet lenses
      4. Possible analogs of the Russian-made adapter? - yes, it is possible.

      1. Gloves (surgical, cloth)? - you can do without special clothes
      2. Degreasing liquid? - Not needed
      3. Wiping material? - not needed
      3. Disassembly tool? - regular thin screwdriver (not Phillips)

      How to install KP-A \ N is described in the Soviet lenses section.

  • Alexander

    I will specify the connection threaded M42

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If you write specifically about Jupiter-21A, then there is a KP-A \ 42 shank, if there is no shank on the lens, then this is a Jupiter-21 with an M42 thread without the ability to put KP-A \ N.

  • Stepan

    Bought Yu21m. Photos are alive. Plastic I would say so. Class! And the fact that this is not auto focus .. well, and the dog with it with auto focus, the main photo is pleasing to the eye.

  • Dmitry

    Greetings. In sales announcements, only Jupiter21m, with a 42 thread, as he understood it, without an interchangeable shank, could he remake it with an infinity function on a nikon?

    • Igor

      I redid it to Nikon d200. Find a master. he will remove inside 2mm and put the adapter ring. Throw off the address, explain and show the pictures. Fucked. Do not try to put it with a lens. complete rubbish. The whole effect is lost. Sincerely, Igor, Snvastopol. 099-228-73-10

      • Serge

        Hello, Igor!
        I would be very grateful for the instructions on installing the adapter ring on Jupiter 21M and all other troubles, for creative work with the Nikon D5100 camera and this wonderful lens .. also a solvable problem with the infinity function, of course, if possible ..
        salomon55@front.ru
        Sincerely. Serge.

  • Igor

    Screw the M42 / Nikon adapter with a lens and a chip onto it (preferably Dandelion). There will be both infinity and metering.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2011/05/obzor-jupiter-21a-otzuvu/comment-page-1/?replytocom=211956

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2011/05/obzor-jupiter-21a-otzuvu/comment-page-1/?replytocom=211956