Suprised how good Jupiter 12 lens are

[E. von Hoegh]

Which camera are you using it on? I hear they don't play very well with Leicas

The J12 was designed for the Contax camera; there are good ones in m39 mount; unfortunately many of them have been fiddled with and suffer accordingly.
I have an Arsenal J12 for Kiev/Contax made in 1961, it's superb except for the flare when the sun or other bright light source is in the frame. I use it on the two Kievs I have as well as a '36 Contax II, it mounts and couples with the Contax RF perfectly.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

The Jupiter 12 renders beautifully but is the most flare prone lens I've used. The entire image turns pale if the sun hits the front element. I still use it, but always with the sun behind as recommended by old instruction manuals. Probably incomplete internal blackening rather than an optical design flaw.

My other favourite FSU optic is the Helios 103, a 53mm Biotar symmetrical design which replaced the Jupiter 8 on the Kiev 4. I thought it might have a neutral, modern rendering, like a good copy of a late Industar, but it has a classic sharp-but-smooth look. Resolution numbers are reputed to be twice those of the Jupiter 8, itself a nice lens. Incredible value for money. Ironically the 103 emerged at the same time Kiev 4 camera production took a downturn in quality, probably best matched to an older body or a 4M that has been tested/checked. Contax fit Soviet lenses tend to be less expensive than their M39 counterparts because they only work on the quirky Kiev (or expensive Contax). Definitely worth mastering its habits for the lenses available.

On the J12, I'm pretty sure the flare can be traced to the first surface of the rear group - it's flat, or near enough to say so - light bounces off it, hits the rear surface of the front group, and...
Glad you like the H-103 It's become one of my favorites, I even use it on the Contax!

 

[blockend]

Glad you like the H-103 It's become one of my favorites

Acquired on your recommendation!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Acquired on your recommendation!

I know, I kind of went out on a limb there - another is the 50mm/f2 Nikkor H in F mount, another gorgeous double Gauss. I have five of them... one for each Nikon.

 

[blockend]

I know, I kind of went out on a limb there - another is the 50mm/f2 Nikkor H in F mount, another gorgeous double Gauss. I have five of them... one for each Nikon.

I only have one and managed to drop it in the summer. The filter ring is kaput but the lens still functions properly.

 

[markjwyatt]

I know, I kind of went out on a limb there - another is the 50mm/f2 Nikkor H in F mount, another gorgeous double Gauss. I have five of them... one for each Nikon.

Do you think the f2 is nicer than the Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4? I ended up with one of those (no camera to attach it to- ...yet; may adapt). The glass looks beautiful; though there is a something happening on the rear element coating (may not be significant).

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Do you think the f2 is nicer than the Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4? I ended up with one of those (no camera to attach it to- ...yet; may adapt). The glass looks beautiful; though there is a something happening on the rear element coating (may not be significant).

I had two of the Nikkor S 1.4s and they were kind of "blah". Also I think the Nikkor H is better at f:2 than the 1.4 is at f:2, it's the only F-mount 50 I have. The later version- AI- of the f1.4 is better.