A review and sample photos of the NEW Jupiter3+ 50mm F1.5 (Lomography version) used with a LEICA M-P typ240.
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Table of contents
Gallery
The sample photo were taken with the Leica M-P typ240
Review
1．Overview
The Lomography x Zenit New Jupiter 3+ 50mm lens was commissioned by Lomography from Zenit of Russia as a reproduction of the classic Jupiter 3 lens.
The lens barrel was newly manufactured for this reproduction, and the lens mount is the same Leica L39 screw mount as the original. However, an L/M mount adapter is included in the lens package.
The lens’s construction is the same as the original model’s, but its minimum focusing distance has been shortened from 1 m to 0.7 m. The filter diameter and number of aperture blades are the same as the original: 40.5 mm and 13 blades, respectively.
The lens is said to be an exact copy of the German Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5. Like Sonnar lenses, it has a large, curved front element.
2．Usability
The Lomography x Zenit New Jupiter 3+ 50mm lens had a smooth helicoid and firm aperture, and operated without issue.
However, I purchased the used lens knowing there was some play in the barrel. When mounted on a Leica-M using the included M/L ring, the lens would not focus to infinity. This symptom wasn’t mentioned in the description of the defect.
When I switched to my own Voigtländer 50/75 M/L ring, however, the rangefinder worked correctly. This led me to suspect that the included M/L ring was distorted or too thick. Further testing revealed that, while the double image alignment and resulting image were nearly identical for close-up subjects, the alignment was correct for distant subjects but the image was misaligned. After checking the lens extension and the resulting image using the electronic viewfinder, I confirmed that the 5m focus mark indicated infinity focus.
The defect seemed rather unusual, so I consulted the seller. They suggested that I return the lens, citing an unlisted defect. The lens itself was in good condition, so it was unfortunate, but there’s no point in keeping a defective lens, so I decided to return it.
The sample images were taken with the defective lens within the focus range using the electronic viewfinder. They were all taken at the widest aperture. However, the rendering at the focus point, as seen through the electronic viewfinder, is sharp. The smooth, melting bokeh towards the out-of-focus areas is characteristic of the Sonnar lens.
Additionally, the light particles in the background bokeh of the second sample image are not perfectly circular, but they are not crushed and can be used as an accent.
3．Summary
In summary, the Lomography x Zenit New Jupiter 3+ 50mm is one of the few options that allows you to enjoy a Sonnar-type lens with high three-dimensionality at the center. If you prefer a rendering that contrasts with the flat rendering of Gauss-type (Planar-type) lenses, this lens is worth trying.
However, while it sold for a relatively low price on eBay in the 2010s, its price has risen in the 2020s, possibly due to a decrease in available lenses. Whether you should buy it depends on your budget.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
Original Jupiter III lenses are widely available on the used market. They come in black or silver barrels, are relatively inexpensive, and often show signs of wear and tear due to age.
Similar Sonnar-type lenses include the Carl Zeiss “C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5” and the MS Optics “Sonnetar 50mm f/1.3.” However, the number of these lenses has decreased since the 2020s, making them expensive to acquire.
| Items | NEW Jupiter3+ | C SONNAR |
| Focal length(mm) | 50 | ← |
| Max aperture | 1.5 | ← |
| Min aperture | 22 | 16 |
| Lens Construction | 7 elements in 3 groups | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Leaf blade(Numbers) | 13 | 10 |
| Min distance(m) | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Lens length(mm) | 36.8 | 45 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 47.2 | 56 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 40.5 | 46 |
| Weight(g) | 228 Lens + L-M mount adapter | 250 |
| Release date | 2016. | 2006.8 |
Reference links
- New Jupiter 3+ Art Lens (Official Lomography page)
- Review by Kaoru Akiyama, published by Digital Camera Watch.
- Artist Kumi Kaguraoka・About the artwork exhibition
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Update history
- 2026.4.29
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