The Jupiter-8
This page is no longer actively maintained. (Pardon?)
The Jupiter-8 is a postwar copy of the prewar Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/2 for the Contax. Originally made by KMZ for Arsenal's Kiev Contax copy, KMZ later produced its own version in L39 mount for its Zorki camera series. Odd one out in the story is GOMZ's Leningrad rangefinder, which came complete with a KMZ-built Jupiter-8. History doesn't say (at least to me) whether they were custom built or were just nicked from the Zorki warehouse.
No complaints about the image quality. Soviet optical factories had a tradition for sharp optics, and this one is no exception. The edges may not always be the bee's knees, but the center can be dead sharp with killing contrast. Is also said to be a good color optic.
Specifications | |
| Focal length: | 50mm |
| Construction: | 6 elements in 3 groups |
| Angle of view: | 45° |
| Distance scale: | 1m – infinity |
| Diaphragm: | Manual; f/2 – f/22 |
| Filter size: | 40.5mm thread |
| Length: | ±45mm |
| Weight: | ±130g |
| Fitting: | L39 |
