Overview of the non-retro focus lens JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35

This review examines the version of the legendary JUPITER-12 lens - JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with external mount Contax-Kiev RF, manufactured by LZOS (Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Plant) in a 'black' body with serial number N7311221 (most likely 1973 Year of release).

You can find a lot of useful information about the Contax-Kiev RF mount in the review JUPITER-11 1: 4 F = 13,5cm P with external mount Contax-Kiev RF.

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

With the Contax-Kiev RF mount, the JUPITER-12 lenses were produced in several modifications at three factories:

  1. BK 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P, the so-called Biogon Krasnogorsk. It was produced in the period 1947-1948 at KMZ from German blanks.
  2. ZORKIY BK 1: 2.8 F = 3,5cm P, almost the same BK 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm, but with the added prefix 'ZORKIY', was produced between 1949 and 1950 at the same KMZ, most likely from the same German blanks ...
  3. JUPITER-12 1: 2,8 F = 3.5cm P of the KMZ plant, has three subversions, distinguished by the frame of the case. They began to produce under this name since 1950. Since 1952, the lens has been manufactured from domestic optical glass. At KMZ, this lens was produced until 1961.
  4. JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P of the LZOS plant in a white metal case.
  5. JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P Arsenal factory in a white metal case. Released since 1957.
  6. JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 LZOS factory in a black case. This version of the lens is shown in this review.

'JUPITER-12' would be copied from German Carl Zeiis Jena Biogon 1: 2,8 f = 3,5cm... The first lenses were produced from German blanks, later the lens was recalculated for the domestic grade of optical glass. JUPITER-12 is the most common Soviet wide-angle lens for rangefinder cameras.

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

The JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 is interesting primarily because it is not a retrofocus wide-angle lens. The distance from the rear element to the focal plane is much less than its focal length. All lenses for full-frame cameras with a focal length of less than 40 mm are retrofocal. It is believed that non-retrofocus lenses such as this JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 have certain advantages: compact size and a fairly simple optical design. Some users add here some more 'fabulous' drawing of such lenses.

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 and JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P (both with Contax-Kiev RF mount)

JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P and JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 (both with Contax-Kiev RF mount)

A copy of JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35, which I visited in my review, looks quite decent in appearance, without signs of wear and other injuries, but has tangible backlash focus rings. My copy of the Arsenal plant is in a much more deplorable state, but it does not have such a backlash. JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 body is completely metal.

Focusing is performed by moving the entire lens block. The focus ring rotates approximately 300 degrees. Focusing is smooth, while focusing, the front lens rotates. There is a scale with a focusing distance in meters. The minimum focusing distance is as much as 90 cm, and the maximum magnification ratio is approximately 1:24.

The depth of field scale is available for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. The depth of field for F / 22 is so large and the focusing ring travel is so small that the depth of field at this value occupies almost the entire frame of the body - two marks for F / 22 stand side by side.

The diaphragm is adjustable by the inner ring. The aperture ring sets any value from F / 2.8 to F / 22. The aperture value scale is shown for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. Aperture consists of only five blades. Petals are poorly blackened.

The diaphragm control ring is very uncomfortable. To understand what the value of the F number is, you have to turn the lens with the front lens towards you. In addition, the ring very narrow. And the worst part is that during its rotation you can knock focusTo prevent this from happening, you have to hold the focusing ring with one hand, and rotate the aperture ring with the other. In addition, in fact, the filters are screwed into the rim of the aperture control ring. And if you install a polarizing or gradient filter on the lens, you can go crazy trying to rotate the filter adjustment ring so as not to knock out the set aperture and focusing distance. Working with filters on this lens is sheer hell.

The lens can only use a threaded hood that is screwed into the thread of the filter. The diameter of the front light filter is small - 40.5 mm, such a diameter is used by all common lenses with a Contax-Kiev RF mount. The lens cap is plastic, fits snugly to the frame of the case, but does not have latches, it is very easy to lose such a cap. The cover can be installed on top of the filter.

Different lens illumination in JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with a Contax-Kiev RF mount and JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P

Different lens enlightenment for JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 and JUPITER-12 1: 2.8 F = 3.5cm P (both with Conta-Kiev RF mount)

The JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 is the first lens that I got my hands on, and the rear lens is visually much larger than the front.

The JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 in a black rim of the case has always been produced with the name written in Latin - 'JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35'. It is generally believed that this is an export version of the lens, but is it really so?

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

Disassembled JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

Disassembled JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 tags with Contax-Kiev RF mount

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

Enlightenment of the front lens JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

Jupiter-12 on the Kiev-4 camera

Jupiter-12 on the Kiev-4 camera

The lens is quite capricious in operation. First of all, you immediately run into the problem of working with side and back light. In backlight, the lens can very easily produce multi-colored highlights, basically similar to the shape of the aperture opening. Also in the frame there are always flashes of edges and corners, 'rainbows' and color stripes.

The sharpness in the center of the frame is quite adequate even at F / 2.8, but the edges and corners of the frame at F / 2.8 are very, very weak. There may be a loss in image quality, including sharpness at the edges and corners associated with color shift. Be that as it may, but the sharpness in the corners returns to normal only after closing the aperture to F / 8.0. At F / 11-F / 16, the lens gives good sharpness over the entire field of the frame.

Also, the lens creates a noticeable vignetting at any values ​​of the number F. Perhaps most of the vignetting is due to the fact that I used the lens not on a film, but on a digital full-format camera, where color shift made itself felt.

As for the distortion, everything is fine here. In addition, the lens has nice bokeh and, in general, nice picture.

Example photo JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35. Easter review

Example photo JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35. Easter review

Source files can download from this link (40 photos in the '.ARW' format, 761 Mb). On camera Sony a7 I used a lens with a makeshift adapter. Part of the photo was taken in APS-C cropping mode. Please note that many photos were taken with unfocusing ad infinitum due to unsuccessful adapter settings. The archive shows only those photos that were taken using the correct adapter settings.

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 diaphragm petals with Contax-Kiev RF mount

My experience. Personally, I do not share those praises that sing about non-retro-focus wide-angle, especially since such lenses on digital matrices can suffer severe color shift. And JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 is not so compact. For instance, Lens EF-M 22mm 1: 2 STM noticeably shorter than the lens from the review. The JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 is in many ways a very uncomfortable lens, and problems with backlight cannot be treated in any way. I don’t even know how some photographers shot this lens for twenty years in a row. With this lens, there’s too much excess, useless hassle that takes precious time.

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with mount Contax-Kiev RF

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 with a Contax-Kiev RF mount on a Sony a7 camera

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


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Results

JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35 is very unusual and specific. By many amateurs and professionals extolled almost to heaven. In fact, from a technical point of view of image quality and control, this is a rather mediocre lens.

UPDATED

Another interesting one appeared on Radozhiv review Jupiter-12 2,8 / 35 (LZOS, 1973) for Kiev / Contax cameras.

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

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Comments: 81, on the topic: Overview of the non-retro-focus lens JUPITER-12 2,8 / 35

  • Paul

    Anything known about this version of the lens? Someone says "technical", someone says that it is just a lens unit. goo.gl/yfYoox. Sorry for the link.

    • Someone

      All these “technical”, “just lens blocks” that are described below are actually a microfiche lens (what is microfiche - google for help).
      It has no aperture or helicoid, but the lenses are the same as in photo lenses.
      The only thing that is really good for is for the transplantation of these lenses (with the whole set, as a whole) instead of those worn out in the Yu-12 photo lens.
      Pros - they are often found in perfect form, from spare parts.
      Cons - the rear lens in the center can be wiped off (for those that are not from spare parts). Also, lens transplants are not for everyone, even straight arms.
      Well, theoretically, if the donor and the patient are from different factories and / or very different years, then the lenses may not fit.

  • Alexey

    How to attach this lens if it has neither a mount, nor an aperture, nor a focus ring?

    • Alexey

      back side

      • Rodion

        You can buy a lens with bad lenses (and they are almost all of them) with the norms of fastening and throw the lens blocks. Fortunately, both lens units are easily twisted.

        • Andrei

          Can you give more details? Any Jupiter fit? For example, if you buy Jupiter 8, then it turns out to twist?

          • anonym

            The same question, for I have the same available. His price bribed him ($ 15), I thought I could photograph him and everything will be ok, but there just lenses .. Buying them in the case is more expensive ($ 40)

      • mAlex

        You have a Ju-12 in a technical frame. If you want to shoot on it - take a Ju-12 for a photo, and better M39, with a dead filling, and castling, especially since there is nothing special to do there, and you will be successful.

    • Vladimir Lvov

      This is not a lens, this is a lens block for the lens

  • Master

    Looking at the pictures I can’t say that this is a mediocre lens. And you need to take a picture with him on film.

  • Fedor

    Today I put such a lens with a M39 thread through the adapter to the panasonic g5 mirrorless mirror. The lens was quite normal. I got the lens for 500 rubles, and usually many have a price of more than 3000 and for this price, of course, not the same quality.

  • anonym

    Please tell me: is it possible to install the Jupiter-12 lens using an adapter on the Pentax K-01? Will the rear lens fit?

    • B. R. P.

      The working length does not fit.

  • anonym

    The lens was created for film cameras. I shot it for many years. It works great. There is inconvenience with the diaphragm but it is not fatal. It is not calculated for the number. Therefore, this test cannot be considered objective. And technology must be able to work.

  • anonym

    Let me comment on the statement regarding the inconvenience of using the aperture of this lens. When buying any lens, I immediately, without leaving the counter, buy a light filter for it, at least a UV one. Why - I think it's clear: to protect the front lens. Some of my lenses are 40 years old, and the lenses are like yesterday from the store. Holding the filter frame, set the diaphragm. Very convenient and no problem.

  • Dmitriy

    One of the best round photo lenses.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    I have preserved such a lens from the distant 80s in perfect condition; I bought it in a store for a Zorky 6 rangefinder camera. I used it with a universal viewfinder. Filmed on black and white negative film and slide color. I was pleased with the quality. Now I want to shake things up again and shoot on film. Fortunately, there are more people taking pictures on film. On a digital camera, of course, it is inconvenient to use old manual lenses. (Moreover, lenses from rangefinder cameras can only say how to use a macro). On the rangefinder, I did not soar with focus - I mainly used the depth of field scale on the lens. When I was shooting with it, I didn't even think about any inconveniences.

  • Paul

    There is such ...
    Through the adapter, the M39-EOS M got perfectly on my Canon EOS M6. It looks interesting and unusual on the camera.
    The problem of an uncomfortable diaphragm was solved by putting an MS filter and a rifle hood, for which I twist.
    The picture is peculiar and interesting precisely because of the imperfection of the optics, it is pleasant to work with the lens.
    Sharpness starting from 5,6 will not say that it is ringing, but sufficient. 2,8 soft without software and soap.
    There is a small, almost invisible "pillow".
    The lens catches rabbits well, the hood does not help. In some cases, this can be used as an artistic technique.
    Strains MDF 1 meter. I wonder if it can be reduced?

    • Rodion

      You can reduce it by focusing by rotating the entire lens block (throwing out a couple of parts of the helicoid), but this is not quite convenient, because MDF stopper will be lost.

      • Paul

        Rodion, thanks, I will consider.
        In principle, there are M39 macro rings.

    • mAlex

      It is possible to reduce the MDF of the Ju-12, but it is not necessary - you will get a photo of the type “a hefty face with a huge nose against the background of a toy distance” - after all, it is wider.

  • Eugene

    When installed on a Canon 6D, through the 39-42-EOS adapter, the rear lens block rests against the mirror, with a medium-sized macro ring, the mirror does not touch, but how can they then shoot with its given FR?

    • B. R. P.

      This is not a reflex lens.

  • voicenemo

    With a back focal distance of 7,53 mm, the focal distance is 28,8 mm. In the NEX, you will definitely not be able to put it so deep: the lenses will rest against the frame.

    • Rodion Eshmakov

      On an E-mount mirrorless camera (crop), it will not sit, yes. But on full-frame (FE) will sit down.

  • Nicholas

    I did not see any problems with backlighting - here is an example of a picture

    • Rodion

      Problems come out when light falls at an angle and bounces it off the chamfers

  • Alex

    Hello!
    What is the strange shape of the rear lens unit?
    Thank you all for your reply.

    • Rodion

      All the rules, screw it back. The old ones had a slightly different rear l / w rim.

  • Ilya

    Good day! I got a little confused. I wanted to give JUPITER 12 35 mm as in 3 photos. Will it fit canon mark 3 and if so, what adapter should I buy? Thanks

    • Rodion

      Won't fit.

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 cool

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 fire. insta: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 is the “golden” fund of the photographer. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 charm. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    U-12 is sexy. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 gun. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 is bro. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 is the most freaky. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 is an artist. Instagram: alexf14r

  • Alex f

    Yu-12 bellissimo. Instagram: alexf14r

    • B. R. P.

      Have you paid to advertise your Instagram? yu-12 may be bellissimo, but the photo ... um.

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