March 26, 2021

From Gerald R. Lucas

Rainy Day Surprise covid-19: day 368 | US: GA | info | act


Just as I was not enjoying a rainy day, I get a package from Russia: my much anticipated Jupiter-9 2/85. Yay! The package was just a big ball or plastic bubbles, but the lens was in good shape under all that padding. I was excited to put it on the SL and get a few sample shots. I was expecting a character similar to that of the Jupiter-8, and I was not disappointed. I think the above image shows this well: a low-contrast image with creamy bokeh and a vintage look overall. It’s not too sharp, but that’s why I like these Jupiters: they have a vintage appeal. Here are three more:


When I write “not too sharp,” what I should say instead is “plenty sharp”—maybe exactly what you want in a portrait lens. I sharpened these last three images a bit in Capture One, and I think they look really good. You can even see the wires pretty clearly in the second image.

And now, I know I can order from Russia and not have a problem. The shipping is not as fast as ordering from Japan, but the lower cost of equipment and shipping might make it worth it.

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I call this shot through the Zuiko 2/85 “Rainy, Wet, Sad Day”; it was taken through the front window before my nap.

Leica Camera and Lens Information
📷: Leica M8 (09/2022–) • Leica M (Typ 262) (01/2017–12/2020) • Leica SL (Typ 601) (12/2020–). Leica Lenses: Leica Summicron-M 2/50 (Typ IV)Leica Summicron-M 2/35mm ASPH (Typ V). Other Lenses: Asahi Super-Takumar 1.4/50 8-ElementAsahi Super-Takumar 1.8/55Asahi Super-Takumar 2.5/135Canon 1.4/50 LTM Helios 44m-4 2/58Industar 61 2.8/55Jupiter-8 2/50Jupiter-9 2/85Konica Hexinon AR 1.8/40Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 2.8/100Olympus Zuiko 2.8/24Olympus Zuiko 2.8/28Olympus Zuiko 1.8/50Olympus Zuiko 2/85Vivitar 2.8/28 • Voigtländer Nokton Classic 1.4/40 MC • Voigtländer Ultron 1.8/21Voigtländer Ultron 2/28. Processed with Capture One Pro.