Will Posted November 14, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 14, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all, I've had a Leica M5 for a little while now and I absolutely love the camera, but the lens is the problem. The lens is a 50mm f1.5 Jupiter 3, I know it's not a ideal to have a cheap lens on such a good camera, but being a student I couldn't afford the camera and a decent lens. I got the camera at a reasonable price so I didn't want to pass it up. The lens is very soft even at f/8 upwards and it yields some pretty disappointing results. Did I just get unlucky, I know the Russian lenses are infamous for changes in quality or could it be the adapter to mount the lens, it certainly isn't a very expensive adapter? I was hoping there might be a solution, but I'm fairly sure that my lens just isn't very good. Any help is greatly appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 14, 2016 Posted November 14, 2016 Hi Will, Take a look here Jupiter 3 Lens on Leica M5, not very sharp. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Roger Pellegrini Posted November 14, 2016 Share #2 Posted November 14, 2016 My sincere advice is that you go to eBay or another such site and buy a good used Leica lens. That will the end of your problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted November 14, 2016 My sincere advice is that you go to eBay or another such site and buy a good used Leica lens. That will the end of your problem. That's my plan, but I was just hoping I could get more usable results from the lens I've currently got until I can afford a better one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted November 14, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 14, 2016 While Roger's advice is the most sound, if the budget will not allow this, look at trying another lens, one that you can afford. The operative word there was "try". I've not had much to do with the FSU lenses, but have heard that QC was hit and miss, so trying another would be helpful. If the next one is better, sell off the old less ideal one. Keep trying them until you get one you re happy with. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted November 14, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 14, 2016 I have also heard that focus was slightly different on the Russian cameras than Leica, so lenses may not stay in focus over the full focusing range due to RF differences. A good bargain 50 for film is the Canon LTM 50 f1.8. The later versions were black and chrome, a more modern mount design than the older all chrome. My favorite lens for my M5 is the LTM version Voigtlander 50 f1.5. Excellent optics, and a good size to match the M5. I use it instead of a Summicron on that camera. Used prices aren't bad. I Also prefer it to the newer M mount version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted November 16, 2016 Share #6 Posted November 16, 2016 If you do not need a fast lens, the best bargain IMO is the Leica Elmar 50mm F3,5 in LTM with an adapter. It needs to be one from the late forties or early 50s to have a coating for color. (serial 670000 or higher will do ) Try to find one in good optical condition. If need be give it a CLA. At f3.5, it is already very sharp, even compared with modern lenses and at F8 it is on par with lenses that are 30 years younger and cost 5 times more. It will be very light and small compared to anything you may buy later, so it will always be a viable alternative. Even when you will have money to use a digital body with more recent Leica lenses, it will not sit in the closet because it is very unlikely that Leica will ever produce anything this small again for digital Ms. It is my preferred combi if I want to take my M9 with me in my coat pocket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 16, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 16, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all, I've had a Leica M5 for a little while now and I absolutely love the camera, but the lens is the problem. The lens is a 50mm f1.5 Jupiter 3, I know it's not a ideal to have a cheap lens on such a good camera, but being a student I couldn't afford the camera and a decent lens. I got the camera at a reasonable price so I didn't want to pass it up. The lens is very soft even at f/8 upwards and it yields some pretty disappointing results. Did I just get unlucky, I know the Russian lenses are infamous for changes in quality or could it be the adapter to mount the lens, it certainly isn't a very expensive adapter? I was hoping there might be a solution, but I'm fairly sure that my lens just isn't very good. Any help is greatly appreciated. Can you post an example or two? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
friedeye Posted November 18, 2016 Share #8 Posted November 18, 2016 The Jupiter 3 is a terrific artistic lens, but, as it's a sonnar design, will exhibit focus shift. That's a problem with film cameras, as you can't chimp and adjust. There are a few things you can do. 1) check it out on a digital Leica. See if you can determine the amount of back/front focus for each f/stop then learn what the focus adjustment should be and apply that rangefinder offset when you're shooting with your M5. It's not the perfect solution, but it won't cost a dime. 2) have the lens calibrated to your camera (and get a CLA while you're doing it). My suggestion, for film shooting, is to have it optimized at f 2.8 - that will eliminate most of your focus shift. You'll just have to lean in a little when shooting at f 1.5. 3) Buy a Voigtlander adapter - the Chinese cheapies are hit and miss. If you're looking for a modern lens, I highly recommend the Voigtlander 40 1.4. You'll want to file down one flange (YouTube will show you how; it's easy - use a metal fingernail file) to bring up the 35mm frame lines (rather than the 50mm lines) in your finder. But this lens is sensational bang for the buck and has zero focus shift - at least to my eye. Since the Voigt is, essentially, a 35mm lens, you'll have a nice two lens combo with your Jupiter (providing you get it calibrated). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrckdavies Posted November 22, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 22, 2016 Hello all, I've had a Leica M5 for a little while now and I absolutely love the camera, but the lens is the problem. The lens is a 50mm f1.5 Jupiter 3, I know it's not a ideal to have a cheap lens on such a good camera, but being a student I couldn't afford the camera and a decent lens. I got the camera at a reasonable price so I didn't want to pass it up. The lens is very soft even at f/8 upwards and it yields some pretty disappointing results. Did I just get unlucky, I know the Russian lenses are infamous for changes in quality or could it be the adapter to mount the lens, it certainly isn't a very expensive adapter? I was hoping there might be a solution, but I'm fairly sure that my lens just isn't very good. Any help is greatly appreciated. Will, if your lens is an old Jupiter made for FED's and Zorki's I can confirm that the lenses were designed not to work with Leica. The Russians changed the point of focus ever so slightly that wide open they will always miss. I learnt the hard way too. Some times you may find one that's been adjusted. I started by buying old Summarons and Elmars which I still have just because they look so gorgeous! I should add that they are also perfect and work great despite their age. Regards, Christopher Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 22, 2016 Share #10 Posted November 22, 2016 There is a simple and inexpensive answer to being able to use your Jupiter and get great results. Buy a nice example of a Zorki 4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted November 23, 2016 Share #11 Posted November 23, 2016 What is happening here! First members of this wonderful forum dissuade james.liam from purchasing a lens he doesn't need, and now here we are with even more reasonable suggestions. Whatever happened to the ridiculousness we are used to! Let me be the first to say that the M5 is a pretty big camera, so balances really well with a slightly larger lens. Also the longer base length makes wide open focusing a bit more reliable. Putting two and two together, the only option for your M5 is the period correct 1.2/50mm Noctilux. Luckily for you, it is also one of the lowest production lenses, and so very collectible, sure to hold its value - the bank manager will be sure to loan you the hefty sum for the investment! On a serious note, if you like the M5, I'd just sell the J3 and get a used canon ltm 1.8/50. They work well and the coatings are a lot more durable than other lenses from the period so they tend to be in a bit better condition. Your ltm-M adapter will still work. Alternatively, if you want to make the lens work on your M5, it can be done, look here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted November 23, 2016 Share #12 Posted November 23, 2016 ... On a serious note, if you like the M5, I'd just sell the J3 and get a used canon ltm 1.8/50. They work well and the coatings are a lot more durable than other lenses from the period so they tend to be in a bit better condition. Your ltm-M adapter will still work. Alternatively, if you want to make the lens work on your M5, it can be done, look here. Hi Will, I agree with Michael. The Jupiters are a nice little lens, but aren't very good optics. I've had several Russian lenses, and they do have oddities. Chromatic aberrations can be a problem, I've noticed. Yesterday received my Canon 50mm f1.8 ltm, from Japan. In perfect condition for Aus$200. It performs absolutely on my M-P (typ 240) camera. Focuses at all F stops perfectly, agreeing with the EVF 2. It's small and pretty to boot. I can recommend this lens as Michael said. all best... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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