Jupiter 9 85mm f/2.0-16.0 Lens category: Short Telephoto
Vendor name		Type name		Product year
Focal min (mm)		Focal max (mm)		Focus min (cm)
Aperture max		Aperture min
Element(s)		Diaphragm blades		Weight (g)
Filter size (mm)		Center (line/mm)		Edge (line/mm)
Comments/history This popular short telephoto was based on the Carl Zei?? 85mm Sonnar. The formula dates from the 1930s. The first versions were in the Kiev/Contax RF mount and in Leica TM 39 for Zorki/FED/Leica. The M39 Zorki version was modified (given a shorter barrel and the RF coupling cam was removed) for use on the "Zenit" (KMZ- the factory which made them- made a reflex Zorki and called it a Zenit). The J-9 is also available for the other soviet SLRs. The M42 version was made when Zenit started using M42 screw thread mount. The lens is very compact. It is hardly larger or longer than a wide aperture 50mm normal lens (eg, the Helios-44-M). J-9 quality tends to vary. The older ones can be good. And among the M42 set, there could be lemons. Most have single-coating (the front element looks very white as if it did not have any coating). This has been associated with many flare and reflection problems. Using a really deep lens hood largely eliminates this problem. There are also "MC" (multi-coated) J-9 which is supposed to be better when it comes to flare and anti-reflection control. The J-9 is quite soft at full opening, and this characteristic is welcome in portraiture since it suppresses facial blemishes. When stopped down to f/4 or f/5,6 the lens really becomes sharp. It has a preset diaphragm. The lens is still made today by KMZ in Russia. When buying the J-9, make sure that it is in the M42 screw mount. There are many versions available. Two are in M39 mounts, one for the Zorki rangefinder and the other for the Zenit SLR. The Zenit M39 version can be used on an M42 camera with a suitable adapter. There were also various SLRs versions in exotic mounts meant for early Kiev and Zenit SLRs with non M42 mounts. (JyJ)

Last update 2005-05-15 06:30:34