the bug is back and I am just about to spring into action all the way.....not sure why but the digicams are not tickling my fancy as completely as they once did. I have a roll of HP5 started in my old Nikon F2 with a meterless head on it. Took some portraits with my non-AI 85mm lens. here it is with the non-functioning metered head: The other possibility is likely going to be my Bessa R, rather than one of my old old rangefinders. Although, two old German SLRs are crying to get out and work: a Contaflex and a Bessamatic. I just have to get butt in gear and then soup the negas. More on this soon.... I hope.

I shot some film the other day - did not finish the roll but at least a start back to film.  Not to say I am done with digital.  The camera was a Nikon Photomic with a Nikkor non AI 85mm f1.8 lens and the film was HP5.  The light meter is dead in the Photomic, so I just shot at 2.8 and 1/60 for some indoor shots

 I am also looking to restart using my Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R rangefinder with interchangeable lenses. The lenses I have for the R are (nice sound to that sentence) are the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.5, the Voigtlander Classic 35mm F2.5 and a Soviet 85mm f2.0 lens.   It is a fully manual camera with an excellent viewfinder and built in light meter.

Looking for an excellent portrait lens for your rangefinder or SLR camera?  Like to gamble? Look no further.

The Jupiter 9 85mm f2.0 lens is available in a variety of mounts: LTM (Leica Thread Mount), Kiev (Contax), M42, and is a very very nice lens that is also a bit of a gamble. A lot of later versions made in the former Soviet Union were either not well assembled or have been repaired (read ruined) and misassembled.

Earlier date of manufacture (see serial number) is better than later.

Lens mounted on  a Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R (LTM mount):


Two test photos made with the Jupiter 9 on the Bessa R:



Above photo shows good focus at 2-2.5 meters.



The second shot of Sylvester shows that at minimum focus distance, about 1 meter, although the rangefinder/viewfinder of the Bessa R shows focus on the cat's eyes, but the truth is the lens is a little further out.  This is about as good as the Jupiter 9 gets. Some examples are way off and need repair or junking.  But if you get a good one, you have a great lens.

(These photos are stored on my account on flickr, try flickr it is the best photo sharing site on the web)