FWIW, I use a Jupiter 12 on a Canon P with no issues. So far as I know, my lens isn’t shimmed, but that’s a variable that you may need to look at. Aside from adjustments like shimming for correct focus, the usual problem with J12 compatibility is the rear element clearing the shutter or other protrusions such as light sensors.
No doubt about this; also true for the original Zeiss Biogon that was the pattern for the J-12. The original Biogons and J-12 cannot even be mounted on a post-War Contax IIa or IIIa, because the shutter on those was made thicker than the pre-War originals -- and the thicker shutter will contact the rear element when the lens is set to infinity focus. This is why I'll be looking specifically for a pre-War body when I start shopping for a genuine Contax -- because I like my Jupiter 12 and don't want to give it up. I have one that's badly scratched on the back element -- I bought it cheap thinking I could fill the scratches with black ink or similar, but apparently that doesn't work as well for rear element damage as it does on a scratched front element.
Good to know about the Contax Donald. I've heard something about the pre-war contaxes being compatible with the Russian lenses in general be default, so it may be a good purchase if you plan on using Russian glass? (Might want to check, I think we ran across that comment on a previous thread).
You might think about buying a broken Jupiter 12 and swapping out the rear element. I've also heard you can polish out scratches using some sort of glass polish and maybe a dremel tool, but that might mess up the focus if it changes the thickness of the rear element.
A wide angle? Should be safe. There may be some unsharpness wide open but it shouldn't be significant. They're made for the same mount, there were just quality control issues at some Soviet plants. This gets exaggerated because lots of people get Soviet cameras that have problems... but many of them are in their sixties! So Soviet quality control is not up to the standards of the germans they learned the trade from but it's not terrible. I'd say go for it. The only thing that would give me pause is that it's an ugly lens and you're about to put it on a handsome camera...So what's the verdict on this lens? I'm just a hair away from buying one, but I stopped myself. I have a canon 50mm 1.8. I heard the virtues of the Jupiter 12 extolled, at least form film (it doesn't work well on digital). But do I really need another lens? The Canon 50mm 1.8 is plenty good.
I'm sure it depends on the copy, but how good is this lens really? I've heard they can vary between very good and mediocre. I'm looking at one made by KMZ from 1960. I may just save my money up for something that would change my photography more drastically, or do something I can't really already achieve rather than collecting more stuff.
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