Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]When I first tested out my cheap-o Jupiter-3, I found that it was HORRIBLY out of focus when used at f1,5 to 2,8 and up close. It wasn't a bad lens from 2,8 and upwards, where sharpness and contrast improved considerably, but at f1,5 to 2 it was sharp as a marshmallow. I was sitting at my desk (procrastinating) and decided to to tear the Jupiter apart -it was a dog anyway, so no great loss if I mucked things up royally. Idle hands are the devils hands (as my grandmother would say). Well, I tore it apart, decided to clean it and re-assemble. Not before, I decided that it would look better black. So I found a can of spray enamel and painted it. Then I put it back together. I figured I had just made myself a nice black loupe. Much to my surprise, when I decided to informally test it, that it was actually better. Surprisingly usable, even wide open. Again, no where near my 50/2 Summicron, but fun nonetheless. You get lucky sometimes. I don't endorse the DIY-CLA, but you can check out an interesting result at: http://www.members.home.com/w.gower/LTM/Jupiter-3.html Regards William