Jupiter Jupiter-37A 135mm 3.5

Lenses are a lot like potatoes (or bread).

They serve the same function overall, but there's so much variation (attaching a lens to a camera versus eating a potato). This has been one of the things that has kept me hooked on trying new lenses for so long. It's another 135mm, but what will it be like? (Just like with potatoes and new recipes.)

This lens was an "extra", bought with another lens I wanted. I was on the fence, but instead of 2 lenses, this one actually meant I got to try 3 new lenses.

How? You see, I've owned a Jupiter-11A for a long time, but it's not functional. Two black bars, which should hold the focus barrel in place, are missing from it.

After a bit of research, and looking at different videos and photos of the 37A, I had a suspicion that the bars are interchangeable (somewhat), so I decided to get it.

Mechanically, this is a well-built lens. Focusing was a bit bumpy and stiff in places, but nothing that relubing can't fix. This seems to be a common issue with this lens (and old Russian lenses, perhaps?).

The lens has 12 aperture blades, ensuring that nice circular bokeh at different f-stops.

The M42 lens mount is easy to adapt, and really accessible to the digital photographer.

It is prone to flare in bright sunlight, so do bring a hood unless you want that washed-out, bright centre of the frame.

One downside I find is that the minimum focusing distance is 1.2m (or less), and I'd have loved it if it were less.

I was really blown away by this one. I expected subpar performance, but the lens is sharp. Combined with nice detail in the centre of the frame wide open, and pleasing out-of-focus areas, it's one of my favourite 135mm lenses.

The colors are well saturated, a bit on the warm side, which works really well around golden hour and with backlit subjects (which I adore).

I can live with the slower f3.5 aperture (instead of an f2.8 or f2) because of the 12 aperture blades.

The only situations in which I found the lens lacking are around midday, when the sun is high, and when flaring is present. (I do like the effect in some situations.)

This lens is good. If you can get a copy, do it. Or, even better, try a few and pick up a good one. I believe good copies can rival the Sonnars and Takumars in the very saturated 135mm focal length.