JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm (KMZ). Review from the reader Radozhiva

View of the Jupiter-9 85/2 lens (KMZ, 1959), adapted for mounting the M42 from the Contact-Kiev mount, examples of photos from it, and the review itself especially for Radozhiva, prepared Rodion Eshmakov.

Overview of the Jupiter-9 85/2 lens (KMZ, 1959), adapted for mounting the M42 from the Contact-Kiev mount

View of Jupiter-42 adapted for M9 (KMZ, contact-Kiev military vehicle)

This is a review of another of the many modifications of the Jupiter-9 lens:

Characteristics of Jupiter-9 (source: zenitcamera):
Focal Length: 85mm
Relative Hole: 1: 2
Light transmittance: 0,75
Field of view angle (at full frame small format): 28 degrees
Optical design: Zonnar 7 elements in 3 groups
Aperture: blackened matte 15 flap, without preset and ratchet mechanism, F / 2-F / 22
Resolution according to the technical specifications (center / edge): 30/18 lin / mm
MDF: 1,15 m
Mount for filters: 49 * 0,75 mm

Below shown list of major versions of JUPITER / JUPITER-9:

  1. JUPITER-9 2/85 AUTOMATIC. In the case for the Kiev-10/15 cameras, the Arsenal plant (Kiev), the Kiev-Avtomat mount
  2. JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm. In a white case, Krasnogorsk, mount Contact-Kiev
  3. JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm P. In the white building, Arsenal building (Kiev), Contact-Kiev bayonet mount
  4. Jupiter-9 1: 2 F = 8,5cm P... In a white case, KMZ, M39 for Zenit cameras
  5. JUPITER-9 2/85. In a white case, Lytkarinsky, M39 for Zenit cameras
  6. In the black case of the old type, Lytkarinsky, M42 (no review yet)
  7. JUPITER-9 2 / 85. In a black case of a new type, Lytkarinsky, M42
  8. MC JUPITER-9 2/85. In a black case of a new type, Lytkarinsky, with 'MS', M42

Design and features of Jupiter-9 for Contact-Kiev mount

This sample is an adapted lens for mounting the M42 produced by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant in 1959, as evidenced by the lens number and symbolics on the title ring.

Front view of the lens

Front view of the lens

The rangefinder version of Jupiter-9 for Kiev cameras is very different from the “SLR” one: the helicoid and the diaphragm installation mechanism are greatly simplified, and the lens mount and working distance do not allow using the lens with SLR cameras without alteration.

This was my first experience of picking lenses, the adaptation was carried out with caution on this instruction.

As a result of replacing the mount and reducing the working distance, the lens is greatly reduced, becoming the size of a fifty dollars.

Jupiter-9 and Helios-44

Jupiter-9 and Helios-44

Jupiter-9 and Helios-44

Jupiter-9 and Helios-44

The design of the lens unit of this Jupiter-9 differs little from other modifications: there is information that the lens units are interchangeable with black lenses manufactured by LZOS. Fortunately, this unification also affected the lens aperture - on all modifications, except for Jupiter-9 Avtomat, it is black, matte and has as many as 15 petals. This will keep the bokeh even at any aperture value.

Jupiter-9 lens aperture

Jupiter-9 lens aperture

But this modification does not have a preset aperture mechanism, and the aperture ring rotates freely, steplessly. The latter can be called a plus - a useful property for shooting videos.

The focuser's design differs significantly, which is why the lens block of the lens rotates as it focuses whilst focusing - this noticeably interferes with the blind when trying to set the aperture with one hand. The minimum focusing distance is 1,15 m instead of 0,8 m for the option for SLR cameras. In short, Jupiter-9 can’t be in macro, such a large MDF is sometimes a little annoying.

In general, the design of the lens is not bad: it can be easily disassembled and maintained, alteration of the option for Kiev cameras is also not very difficult. At the same time, Jupiter-9 has very modest dimensions for optics of this class: for example, the adapted projection planar RO500-1 90/2 takes up two times more space in the case and, moreover, is ~ 3 times heavier.

When using this modification, Jupiter-9 has established itself as a very easy-to-use lens.

Optical properties

This lens was acquired as a result of the search for sharp Jupiter-9. Yes, he really is what is needed and a cut above the sharpness of his Lytkarinsky brother. This option has a thin DOF, which is very difficult to get into when shooting - sometimes even with the KO-120 120 / 2.1 it is much easier to focus on.

Jupiter-9 suffers from longitudinal chromatic aberration (fringing), it is still somewhat soft when compared to lenses similar in terms of RF (for example, a good projection F-92 forms a better image). If you find fault, you can find someone along the edge, and vignetting. The shooting experience shows that as a result, only HA.

Jupiter-9 has a very good contrast for Soviet optics, which falls slightly in the backlight. This is largely the result of applying the Zonnar scheme with a small number of glass-air surfaces.

Jupiter-9 has a chemical enlightenment of violet tones, then it has a distorted color rendition - the image has a yellow-green hue. Enlightenment gives a bright backlight bright annular and lentil flare.

JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm (KMZ)

Lens flares in the light of the sun on JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm (KMZ)

The pattern of this modification is extremely even and calm, the bokeh is made of regular circles with an almost uniform distribution of brightness. In this regard, the lens is an antagonist of helios and triplets with bright, catchy bokeh, which not everyone likes.

The combination of aperture, FR and optical properties makes this lens one of the most preferred for portrait photography.

At first, Jupiter-9 seemed boring to me, because I rarely used it, preferring more exotic optics. However, now, based on the experience of using such lenses as PO500-1 90/2, Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 80 / 1.8, I can call Krasnogorsk Jupiter-9 truly excellent.

UPDATED

Sample photos on Sony A7S:

Conclusions

KMZ Jupiter-9 for Kiev cameras is a very successful portrait lens, although it requires adaptation for use with SLR cameras. Its strength lies in good sharpness and contrast, pleasant calm bokeh and compactness, which allows you to always take it with you. It should be remembered, however, that Jupiter-9 does poorly at more general tasks than portrait photography: it is inconvenient and poor at macro photography, and not good enough at photographing landscapes.

Thank you for your attention, Eshmakov Rodion.

You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.

Add a comment: Igor_K

 

 

Comments: 33, on the topic: JUPITER-9 1: 2 F = 8.5cm (KMZ). Review from the reader Radozhiva

  • lynx

    “Jupiter-9 suffers from longitudinal chromatic aberrations (fringing), it is still somewhat soft when compared with similar lenses in terms of FR (for example, projection 92/2 forms a better image). If you find fault, you can find someone around the edge, and vignetting. In general, only HA are noticeable.
    Jupiter-9 has medium contrast, which falls slightly in backlight. In this, he does not stand out among other Soviet optics.
    Because Jupiter-9 has a chemical clarification of violet tones, then it has poor color rendering - the image has a yellow-green tint. Enlightenment gives circular bright highlights in the backlight. ”

    ………….
    "The combination of aperture, phased array and optical properties make this lens one of the most preferred lenses for portrait photography."

    • Rodion

      Obviously, these shortcomings are not so fundamental. There are no flaws that are critical for a portrait. Hence the conclusion - everything is logical.

    • Andrei

      almost all Soviet optics have a violet enlightenment, it turns out that all our optics sucks?

      • Lynx

        Hmm .. Well, then looking at what to compare

      • Rodion

        Optics - unlikely. But the color is very lame in the vast majority of lenses, especially early ones. Well, they weren't for color film, they weren't.

        • Igor_K

          In general, in many respects agreeing with the esteemed author of the review, I would nevertheless clarify that the not quite correct color rendition mainly affected when shooting on reversible (slide) film. The “corporate” yellowish tint was still noticeable, especially on films of the “CO” type, which also added their own veil. But for negative films, if they are also slightly better than “DS-4” (for example, “KN” type), the color introduced by the lens was almost completely eliminated during color correction during the printing process, and did not have a significant effect on the final print. In fairness, it should be noted that this problem is inherent not only in Soviet optics of the past. Many quite modern lenses (like Sigma, for example) also noticeably color the picture, but for modern CZK, this is not a problem at all, and is completely solved by fine adjustment of the color balance, and the wonderful “Zonnar” drawing remains, and - for a reasonable price! Among other things, I would not be so categorical in the statement about the complete and unconditional superiority of the Krasnogorsk “Yu-9”. Firstly, there are also "Arsenal" ones, and three times - among the "Lytkarians", there are also exceptions.

          • Rodion

            By the way, Arsenalsky's review has been here for a long time. Also from Kiev. Yes - it does have normal sharpness. As for the Lytkarians - I don't know, I haven't seen a single sharp one.

            • Igor_K

              I, concerning “Lytkarintsy”, had exactly the same opinion, until such a “statistical outlier” fell into my hands. His enlightenment is not blue, like that of the Arsenal, but purple-golden. The most unexpected for me was the statement of the person who converted it to the Nikon bayonet that this device is not bad, but far from the best of the "export Lytkarintsy" he had seen.

              • Igor_K

                D200, one flash, Neutral settings, aperture “2”, on-camera “jeep”, color balance “auto”. Of course, Nikkor 85 \ 1,8 in terms of sharpness and ease of use (U-9) will easily bypass it, but is this sharpness necessary, especially if the model came of age 25 years ago?

          • Valery

            absolutely agree.
            the sharpest arsenal, but in general the spread in quality is large.

  • Alexey

    “… There is information that lens units are even interchangeable with black lenses produced by LZOS.” I dare say, from my own experience, that lens units and focusing parts of all Jupiters-9 (white, black, LZOS, KMZ, mirror, rangefinder ...) are interchangeable. At the present time, I have a hybrid of a white rangefinder KMZ lens unit of 1960 and a focuser of a black mirror LZOS 1991. No alteration is necessary, the lens unit of any Jupiter-9 is twisted with a slight movement of the hand ...

  • Ilyas

    not bad

  • Valery

    Jupiter-9 seemed boring to me
    I use it with pleasure.

    Something somehow does not fit. What is the pleasure of a boring lens?
    Yu-9 is a female portrait, first of all, the review is weak. IMHO

    • Rodion

      Depends on the task. You need a wah-wah picture with God - I take a non-Jupiter) You just need, sharply, concisely - I take Jupiter.
      Regarding the division "female / not female" I do not agree at all.

      • Valery

        interesting to look at the "wah-wah" picture), in your concept.
        is jupiter 9 sharp? What are you comparing to? generally excuse me, but remained at his own, the review is weak. Success in creative work.

    • Rodion

      * with boKe
      I will add that I called him boring because of, in principle, an ordinary picture, without a twist. Those. it just creates a good enough image. No whirlwinds or bubbles in bokeh, software and other "arts". And I like to use it just when these "arts" are harmful to the picture. I hope I have explained enough. Thanks for your feedback.

      • Valery

        Sonnar's classic boke, for a portrait painter is very worthy.
        Yu-9 does not give software? on open all u-9 give software, which are more, some less.
        the lens is weak from a technical point of view, but as an artistic tool in direct hands, it is very good. Success in creative work.

  • anonym

    Schae those joys junk.
    Phototechnics 40-50 years ago.
    To live, yes, halos and not trim backlight.
    Verdict: exhibit for the museum.

    • Rodion

      Yes, in general, yes - it makes no sense to shoot them in the presence of a good planar 85/2. I'm preparing a replacement for him. For it so happened that I simply do not have a normal lens of class 85/2.

      • Dim

        On the other hand, this does not prevent you from taking pictures well. Limitations sometimes allow you to better show talent and develop style. And there is nothing wrong with the old technique, she is very interested in drawing. For example, I with great difficulty found a Schneider made in the 30s. I don’t know how he will show himself, but he looks in every way more interesting than plastic cylinders and the fact that he was well preserved at his age under 90 says a lot.

  • Petro

    They gave me one, I changed it to Kaleinar 100 2.8

  • Rodion

    The review has been updated and supplemented, photos have been added.

  • Rodion

    Photos added to the full-frame camera.

  • Sergei

    One famous on this site, the designer-adapter of Soviet lenses for the autofocus system Nikon sells this miracle (Jupiter-9 AF) on Ebay for 10000 €
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Autofocus-lens-JUPITER-9-85mm-f2-0/123834845698?hash=item1cd521ca02:g:o-EAAOSwcwdcfnEN

    • Arkady Shapoval

      On ebay, as I understand it, there is no “negotiable” price, so the master puts such price tags. It is necessary to contact him and do it on order at real prices.

  • Michael

    Good afternoon.
    Tell me please, I have a Jupiter-9 1: 2 F = 8,5 silver lens on my hands, but the screw mount is M39, apparently. I did not find such an option in the list. Did such an option exist, or is it possible by custom from the previous owner?

    • Rodion

      There was, of course. It's just that the list is not exhaustive, but such a modification was not given for review. M39 versions have the following:
      KMZ of the early 1950s - silver case, suggest lens blocks from Germany, light blue or light yellow coating
      KMZ 1950-1960s - silver case, blue, violet enlightenment
      LZOS in a silver / golden (from varnish) case (like they were) with bright purple enlightenment
      LZOS in a black case

      • Michael

        Silver case, yellow enlightenment, No. 5803771.

        • Rodion

          You got an excellent copy - 1958 and successful enlightenment. Take care of it.

          • Michael

            Thank you so much for identifying. We will look for an adapter and try what happens.

  • Sergei

    There is such a lens on Avito.
    I expect to buy.
    According to the owner, mount M42
    I want to put on sony a7 m2
    Should you buy it?

    • Rodion

      KMZ and Arsenal - you can. LZOS - no point.

  • Sven

    Photos of people are excellent!
    Simple straight lines and very nice!

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