Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/09/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I don't have any performance data for the 2/85 Zeiss lens for the Contax or, in any event, I cannot think where I have it if I do -- I'm awash in camera pamphlets, books, and assorted literature of all sorts and conditions! I know Zeiss has published this data: I just don't know where to find it! The Russian 2/85 Jupiter-9 is a clone of the Prewar 2/85 Sonnar. This "acht-funfer" was, with the 50mm "ein-funfer" the pride of the Prewar Contax lens stable. I suspect its performance on paper ought to be quite good -- certainly all versions that I have of this lens (Russian LTM and Contax, Zeiss LTM and Contax) perform on par with each other, and without any complaint -- it's a sharp, high-contrast lens with great field illumination. I've even used my LTM versions to enlarge. Roger Hicks, a noted British photographer and journalist, has also complained of the poor performance of his Jupiter-9, so maybe a bad lot was sold in the UK. It would be like the Soviets to test a lens, find out it didn't perform well, and to then document its impotence -- and sell it! Joe, I'd shoot a couple of rolls and let us know how it performs in service. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!