Leica Jupiter-3+, Lomography

Brian

Product of the Fifties
This is the only Seven element in Three group 1-3-3 Sonnar made in the 21st century. Leica thread mount with a cut in the threads to allow for close-focus. Leica M-Mount included. These are on the M9, quick tests shots. More will be coming.

Wide-open on the M9.

by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

We were stuck inside, lens arrived just after the Blizzard of 2016.

The focus is accurate across range on my M9. Full-resolution images uploaded.

Wide-open at F1.5

24542554062_6337efe5b7_b.jpg
j3plus_test
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Infinity at F1.5.

24675154225_206909dff7_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Inf ,Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Infamous Fencepost, used to test hundreds of lenses.

F1.5:

24557369632_365eae6937_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

F4:

24048329383_4b4d08f19a_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, F4
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I've rebuilt over 200 Jupiter-3's, converted about 50 Sonnars to Leica mount, and rebuilt 10 or so wartime Sonnars for people.
 
Last edited:
Flare test, F1.5. Sun behind leaf.

24648938316_1f1dd7908e_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Some green- most everything is covered with snow.

24648937746_d5a04f5d82_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I'm using a 1.25x magnifier on the M9,

24581607121_ed062e31c8_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Mid-Range, wide-open.

24048324323_25c5798918_b.jpg
Jupiter-3+ Test, Wide-Open
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

This lens is built to the Leica Spec, focus is smooth across range, no play in the focus action, modern coatings to control flare, and optical corrections are done with attention to out-of-focus areas. The Jupiter-3 uses two guide screws in in rails to hold the helical together. As you focus, these guides ride in the rails: if the heads of the screws are too small you get play in the focus as they shift in the rail; if they are too big they hang-up on the sides of the rail. The focus on this lens is smooth, and does not bind as many vintage J-3's will do. I've spent many hours polishing down metal on vintage Jupiter-3s. The Lomography Jupiter-3+ got this mechanism just right. This lens compares with the vintage Nikkor lenses for build quality.

Now I just need some better weather! Will be taking this out with the C-Sonnar, Vintage J-3's, and vintage Sonnars. Until then- lots of inside time.

by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Welcome to Leicaplace!

Please post some pictures with the new lens. Due to the weather- I've been working on more lenses than shooting...
 
Mine is in transit, should arrive February 4.

I am going to Korea for three weeks in March and will likely take just one camera and one lens. Most likely a Sonnar on the M-E, but I may just sneak the M Monochrom instead.
 
For any important trip like this: always take Two cameras and Two lenses! Five is Two, Two is One, and One is None.

And- you have to see how it compares with the 5cm f1.5 Sonnar!
 
For any important trip like this: always take Two cameras and Two lenses! Five is Two, Two is One, and One is None.

And- you have to see how it compares with the 5cm f1.5 Sonnar!

Its not an important trip photographically. Its my annual training in the army reserve. I will get a few days to wander around, but I'm in Seoul twice per year, every year.

I also get very minimal secure storage space, so I prefer not to bring a lot of expensive gear. My backup is my Canon 6D and 25mm f/2 Zeiss Distagon in case I want to go shoot some architecture.
 
Some fine points to add: the J-3+ uses the same aperture mechanism as the original design, no click stops and geometric progression between stops- small stops are closer together. The aperture mechanism itself is well damped, and like the original- probably uses a dab of grease under the ring. I like to use vacuum pump grease when I rebuild a lens.

An original, 80-year old Sonnar looks like this... after 80 years, they used too much grease and it flowed onto the blades.

24194713619_538f9b8d7f_b.jpg
RIMG0423
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

23935648433_7a7d31d296_b.jpg
RIMG0421
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

My solution, clean out the old-

23934306684_d3eacc8fe0_b.jpg
RIMG0424
by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

In with a little dab of thick grease. Smooth as Butter, does not flow, stays put where you set it.

I suspect the new J-3+ should be good long after I am gone.
 
My Jupiter 3+ arrived yesterday. Here are the first test shots. The Monochrom shots are without a filter as my 40.5 to 46mm step-up ring hasn't arrived yet.

M Monochrom wide-open

24208425593_caee9a0209_b.jpg
L1000440.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr

And at f/8

24207097374_ed28d5a540_b.jpg
L1000442.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr


M-E wide-open

24467638989_a7aff6db19_b.jpg
L1001269.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr

And at f/8

24717414452_5b705a21b4_b.jpg
L1001270.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr


And a few more with the M Monochrom at various apertures just pointing it at things.

24539751600_ef006093a3_b.jpg
L1000438.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr

24741805951_f6dd87e3ab_b.jpg
L1000445.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr

24207100584_801d910381_b.jpg
L1000446.jpg
by Andrew F, on Flickr
 
Back
Top