Jupiter 8 with 18 aperture blades?!

I've already got a standard black 70s one and I love the little thing to bits. I only bought it because it was so strange....just got to wait the standard month for delivery from its home in the eastern block. They claim it's been fully CLA'd as well....I'll post when I get it.
 
Hi David, old legacy lenses are fun to use. Each lens has its own character and is intriguing.

I have used Jupiter 11A & 37A, both are excellent lens different in character.

Usual points to consider is muted colours, issues with flare otherwise some of these lenses provide outstanding picture quality at relatively affordable price.

I am big fan of old legacy lenses and use, Japanese, Russian, German lenses.
 
Best response I've had so far is from an engineer called Brian on another forum.

"The focus mount is from 1955 through 1960 or so: the earlier tabbed J-8 mounts did not use the three screws for the rear.
The 1952 SN: most likely Zeiss Glass, Zeiss barrel, finished in Russia. I have some "assembly practice" lenses from this period that have a one-off quality, like they were experimenting with making them on their own. Think of lots of parts and optics coming in from Germany after the war and then reverse engineering them. Ultimately: the Russian fixtures were better, but it took some time. I have some 1950 lenses that never worked, someone much later put them into a focus mount- to use them (those generally worked) or to sell them.

If the images are good agreement with the RF: you should get some really good pictures with it.

I have a 1952 J-12 with 1943 Zeiss serial numbers for the inner barrels"
 
Ladies and gentlemen,

It turned up today, in its branded box, branded lens bag, with an original Russian (swapped for my Hoya G/Y in the photo) yellow filter, and it is MINT.

Focuses at infinity, and as far as I can tell 1m. Glass is clear as day...can't see any oil on any one of the 18 blades.

Search this company out. They're unbelievable. Focusing ring has more resistance than my black 80''s one and seems to be longer throw.

Can't wait to use it.
 

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David Roberts said:
Best response I've had so far is from an engineer called Brian on another forum.

"The focus mount is from 1955 through 1960 or so: the earlier tabbed J-8 mounts did not use the three screws for the rear.
The 1952 SN: most likely Zeiss Glass, Zeiss barrel, finished in Russia. I have some "assembly practice" lenses from this period that have a one-off quality, like they were experimenting with making them on their own. Think of lots of parts and optics coming in from Germany after the war and then reverse engineering them. Ultimately: the Russian fixtures were better, but it took some time. I have some 1950 lenses that never worked, someone much later put them into a focus mount- to use them (those generally worked) or to sell them.

If the images are good agreement with the RF: you should get some really good pictures with it.

I have a 1952 J-12 with 1943 Zeiss serial numbers for the inner barrels"
Click to expand...

That explanation is the same one as I'd give :) It appears that after WWII some lenses were bodged together with leftover parts found in East Germany. Whether it was assembly practice or just using up parts, who knows. But it's great fun when a gem like this turns up on the used market, particularly in this sort of condition! There's a whole bunch of weird and wonderful Helios 44s out there too with more blades than the norm.
 
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