The Hidden Gem of Soviet Lenses: KMZ Jupiter 9 Review 85mm f/2 Review and Samples

If you're a photography enthusiast looking to learn how to use an 85mm or a seasoned professional looking for images with amazing character you're in the right place. The KMZ Jupiter 9 85mm f/2 lens is definitely worth considering. This vintage lens is known for its unique bokeh and surprising sharpness, making it a popular choice among portrait photographers.
In this video, I'll take a closer look at the Jupiter 9 and explore its strength and weakness. I'll cover lens construction and build quality, as well as its optical performance in various shooting scenarios.
I'll also tips and tricks for getting the most out of this lens, including how to achieve the signature swirly bokeh effect.
So sit back, relax, and join us on this exciting journey into the world of vintage lenses.
The Leeming LUT - (NOT AFFILIATE) www.leeminglutpro.com/
0:00 Intro
0:21 Description
2:10 Photos
4:15 Video
4:45 Tips
5:30 Conclusion
6:06 Outro

Пікірлер: 44

  • @austinberner31
    @austinberner3111 ай бұрын

    Nice!! This channel feeds my recent Soviet camera addiction haha

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching the video! I've produced several more video reviews of other lenses, and have a new one coming soon!

  • @jameswburke
    @jameswburke21 күн бұрын

    I recently got a Jupiter 37A, 135mm / f3.5 lens, which has 12 aperture blades. Very sharp too and lovely background blur from all those blades. M42 screw fit so I use an M42 / Sony E adapter for my A7iii. I had to buy a hood as it didn't come with one, but it's a fabulous lens and highly recommended.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    19 күн бұрын

    That's a fine lens! Post a link when you've got some photos.

  • @jpcalamaro961
    @jpcalamaro961 Жыл бұрын

    Nicely done. Nice to see a video that focuses both on the advantages and drawbacks of a lens.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching and being my very first commenter!

  • @jakhilp5579
    @jakhilp557910 ай бұрын

    fum to wach it. informative too. great stile.thank you!

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the comment. I'm still trying to find my style, so I'm glad you liked it. Cheers!

  • @vilson.farias
    @vilson.farias4 ай бұрын

    I loved your video. Funny and goes straight to the point.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you sir! You comments inspire me to keep at it.

  • @zoltankaparthy9095
    @zoltankaparthy90956 ай бұрын

    I got a 9 a few years back, an '88 Lytkarino. Nice color and definition and coated. I paid around US$100. A good buy. I have found old FSU lenses to be excellent if you shop carefully and pay a fair price.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    6 ай бұрын

    It's an interesting age considering I can buy a Soviet lens from a web browser from anywhere in the world, much less in the U.S. Getting a good price requires a bit of study indeed. Thanks so much for commenting. I've since made review of the Mir 1, and most recently the Tair 11 if you like this video. Cheers!

  • @LULULIGHTNINGARTIST
    @LULULIGHTNINGARTIST3 ай бұрын

    You are funny 😁😉 Thank you for this review 😊

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    Ай бұрын

    That's a spectacular compliment, thank you! You're the only person that's said that to me. Cheers!

  • @VintageLensCorner
    @VintageLensCorner Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating! Imo some of the finest Soviet glass is the KMZ and LOMO Cine lenses

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    Жыл бұрын

    I primarily collect KMZ glass. I'd love to know more about LOMO glass, the factory's history, and why you like it so much. Very cool...thanks for watching!

  • @ice9phil
    @ice9phil4 ай бұрын

    I took one with me to Venice Carnival this year. I get some real good response due to great colors and great background separation, much better than my modern digital counterparts. I also got some strange looks with my 67 silver Jupiter locked onto the front of my Sony a7 . Its a great lens and so is it's little brother, Jupiter 8

  • @EmpireMP
    @EmpireMP Жыл бұрын

    Thankyou for doing this. More reviews please!!!!

  • @FrankyFeedler

    @FrankyFeedler

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes more! Loving the format. Subscribed. Which I rarely do 😊

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you the kind words! I've produced several more video reviews of other lenses, and have a new one coming soon!

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    @@FrankyFeedler thanks for the comment about the format. I'm still working to find my creative voice and appreciate comments that help me improve. Cheers!

  • @Itchybiscuit
    @Itchybiscuit10 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the informative video. I own the glossy black M42 version of the Jupiter 9. I began my photography journey in 1981 with a Fed 3 and Jupiter 8. I don't know how that combination came together as I bought it from a pawn shop for a couple of £'s. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos and hope your subscriber count grows with each new release.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    10 ай бұрын

    Thanks! That's very nice of you to say. You mentioned the Jupiter 8...another great lens. I'm finishing up a video on the Tair 11 at the moment. Is there any lens or topic you'd like to see covered?

  • @Itchybiscuit

    @Itchybiscuit

    10 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComradeI don't have anything in mind at the moment. Are you going to be solely concentrating on Russian glass? I'm thinking you may have to expand your repertoire for the sake of channel longevity and if so, reviews of Meyer-Optik Gorlitz lenses would interest me very much. In the meantime, more Russians! 😊

  • @aperture147
    @aperture1478 ай бұрын

    It's really tricky to find a decent Jupiter 9 nowadays, since people are hunting for it like crazy and the price is skyrocket high too (about 200USD for a well-preserved lens). A friend of mine who studies in Russia said that any Jupiter lens listed on the online market will immediately out of stock after 1hr. IMO, I personally love the Helios 44-3 the most in my Soviet Lens collection, but the Jupiter 9 give me more than the price it takes. In comparison, a Sony 85FE18 has better color rendering, but the bokeh will not be as good as the Jupiter.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    6 ай бұрын

    You're not kidding...these lenses in particular have gone up substantially. Some really nice Jupiter 9's get into the 5-6 hundred range. My CONTAX mount is a pain but I can't afford a superior m39 KMZ at the moment. There are a few shops outside of ebay that I've used in the past, but have ZERO affiliation with...Uralseller dot com and sovietcamerastore dot com. Thanks for watching! I've also got a video review of the Mir 1 and the Tair 11 if you're interested. Cheers!

  • @aperture147

    @aperture147

    6 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComrade It took my comrade 2 months hunting for a decent lens in Moskva because a lot of old lenses are not in original condition anymore since people behind the "Iron Curtain" love fixing stuff themselves (even now), so it's kinda risky to buy lens online from an unknown guy from Russia. Btw I watched your Mir 1 and Tair 11 video and I really love it!

  • @LeedsRider
    @LeedsRider5 ай бұрын

    Hi Comrade, I have a 1962 KMZ Jupiter 9 (SLR version) and it has quickly become my absolute favourite. It holds up so well to colour grading, once you get used to it, and is plenty sharp. Very very pleased with mine. It does need a service though, the focus ring is rather stiff. Aside from that, perfect condition. I doubt my XF lenses will hold up so well in 60 years time!

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching the video and telling me about your Jupiter 9. What a nice piece of kit eh?

  • @ohjajohh
    @ohjajohh Жыл бұрын

    Great video, and I agree, clowns are weird :)

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    Жыл бұрын

    Otherwise the place was charming. Thanks for watching!

  • @steveshadowphoto9346
    @steveshadowphoto934611 ай бұрын

    Am just finding your channel comrade ClickClick. I am having two lenses made in Union of Soviet Socialist Republic; the Helios 44-M and a 44-2, forged from the brave canons that fought at Stalingrad. Ok, that last bit is a stretch, but... 🙂

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    11 ай бұрын

    I’ll eventually be covering those lenses! They’re great fun to shoot with! My new review will be of the original Tair 11 133mm. Thank you for watching!

  • @FrankyFeedler

    @FrankyFeedler

    11 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComradePatiently waiting for that one! I just got my Tair 11 133mm. Near mint, never seen a CLA and it’s a challenge to get it as buttery smooth as the helios/mir 1 etc due to the optical block’s heft bearing down on the helicoids. Getting there though! Trying different greases, helicoid polish, etc. But meanwhile: what a great rendering. How’s the smoothness on your tair 11?

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    11 ай бұрын

    @@FrankyFeedler What?!? and spoil anything from the video? C'mon! (now the pressure is ON, HA!)

  • @FrankyFeedler

    @FrankyFeedler

    11 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComrade Hehe expectations are high now 😅

  • @volkmarweber1791
    @volkmarweber17913 ай бұрын

    The KMZ first version (purple coating, cyrillic name and a small red sign on the front) are made out of the same sonnar zeiss optical glass, the Russians took from Zeiss after end of world war 2. all serial numbers below 60xxxxx contain the original Zeiss glass. A seller from Moldova/Transnistria told me this when i bought my version. I keep the black export version too, but the first edition is so much better. Avoid the ones from the Lzos production. The quality differs a lot, the manufacturing was not very precise at all. Millions were made for USSR market. A standard lens that costed just around 15 Euro back in the days.

  • @SeattleShelby
    @SeattleShelby7 күн бұрын

    Both the Sonnar and Jupiter were based on the work of Ludwig Jakob Bertele. The Jupiter wasn’t based on the Sonnar.

  • @NickDelDuca
    @NickDelDuca6 ай бұрын

    These lenses are much sharper on a Leica M or SL body.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    If you really want sharp perhaps a Soviet lens isn't your first choice. I've heard that most vintage lenses look better on film, but I believe that notion to be subjective. As long as you enjoy using the lens you'll take good photos.

  • @NickDelDuca

    @NickDelDuca

    5 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComrade Idk it's not really about overall sharpness it's more about usability at wider aperatures. The sensor stack thickness on the Leica bodies is more optimized for vintage lenses so it gives better performance at wide aperatures. I have a couple vintage lenses that I can never get away with shooting wide open on my Sony but they look great wide open on my SL. I've got one lens that wide open on my Sony it looks like there is vasalene over the lens but on the Leica it's just sharp enough and looks super dreamy.

  • @onlinetraderucom
    @onlinetraderucom10 ай бұрын

    You have the wrong version of jupiter 9 because they are all different in quality. The only true and real version of Jupiter 9 is AVTOMAT. They are all equally sharp as a razor. They are all flawless.

  • @ClickClickComrade

    @ClickClickComrade

    5 ай бұрын

    I'm not sure if I understand your point Comrade. Why do you feel the automat is the only "true" version? Thanks for watching the video.

  • @onlinetraderucom

    @onlinetraderucom

    5 ай бұрын

    @@ClickClickComrade Because every version of Avtomat that I had showed consistently the same result, the same sharpness. But ordinary lenses were soapy, and only one out of 20 showed good sharpness. Moreover, this did not depend on his condition. A horribly scratched Jupiter could be razor sharp, but the new one out of the box was soapy