Lens Comparison: Carl Zeiss Jena Sonar 85/2 T vs Jupiter-9 85/2 MC

2026/5/16

After taking the Soviet Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 MC (M42) out for a photo walk last time, I thought it would be interesting to compare it directly with the West German Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85mm f/2 T (Contax RF), which led to this test record.　I mounted both lenses on Sony E-mount adapters for the comparison. In terms of physical size, the Jupiter-9 is about 1–2 mm taller. When stopped down to f/4, the Jupiter-9 maintains an almost perfectly circular aperture shape, while the Zeiss-Opton produces a more polygonal, star-like diaphragm opening. As for weight and handling, the two lenses feel fairly similar in hand.

上次帶著蘇聯 Jupiter-9 85/2 MC (M42) 外拍後，想到應該要與西德 Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85/2 T (Contax RF) 比較一下，所以就做了這次的測試記錄。我將兩顆鏡頭都裝上了Sony E轉接環，就高度而言，Jupiter-9 約高了1~2mm，縮光圈至 f4 時，Jupiter-9呈現近乎圓形，Zeiss-Opton則是多角星芒狀，重量手感則是差不多。

These test shots were taken indoors under mixed lighting conditions, combining tungsten bulb lighting with daylight coming through a window. Comparing both lenses wide open at f/2, I personally find the Jupiter-9’s background rendering more pleasing, with stronger subject separation and a greater sense of three-dimensionality. The Zeiss-Opton Sonnar, on the other hand, stands out for its superior sharpness and contrast. When stopped down to f/4, it becomes even clearer that the horizontal lines behind the text are actually composed of dotted segments. I’ve also included both full-frame images and enlarged crops for reference.

All test photos below were taken with a Sony A7C with in-body image stabilization enabled (85mm setting).

這次的測試照片是在室內燈泡光源和窗戶室外光源混和的條件下拍攝的，以光圈f2來比較，我覺得 Jupiter-9 對背景虛化的處理比較令人討喜，也較有立體感，而Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 則是勝在銳利度和反差，縮光圈到 f4 時更可以清晰地看到文字後的橫線是點狀虛線所組成。同時附上全幅和放大裁切後的相片給大家參考。

以下測試照片均以 Sony A7C + 防手震啟動(85mm) 拍攝


Jupiter-9 85/2 MC at f2, 1/250, ISO400


Jupiter-9 85/2 MC at f4, 1/60, ISO400


Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85/2 T at f2, 1/250, ISO400


Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85/2 T at f4, 1/60, ISO400

Center crop at 100% magnification:

擷取影像中間，100%放大後：


Jupiter-9 85/2 MC at f2, 1/250, ISO400


Jupiter-9 85/2 MC at f4, 1/60, ISO400


Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85/2 T at f2, 1/250, ISO400


Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 85/2 T at f4, 1/60, ISO400

MC Jupiter-9 85mm f2 and Sony A7C

2026/3/22






My third collectible Soviet lens is the Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 MC, a lens with a strong lineage tracing back to the pre-war Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 85mm f/2 made for Contax RF cameras. This particular copy was manufactured in the late 1980s and features MC multi-coating. Although the exterior shows heavy signs of wear, the optics themselves are actually quite clean. When I first received the lens, the aperture scale and index mark did not line up correctly. I spent quite a bit of time disassembling the entire optical block and aperture ring, then recalibrated and reassembled it so that each aperture marking now aligns perfectly with the indicator.

The most distinctive characteristic of this lens is its rendering wide open: contrast is very low and the image appears soft and dreamy, but once stopped down, the contrast improves significantly. In the first photo, the background blur behind the uBike bicycle seems to “melt away” into the distance, while the highlights carry a slightly creamy texture with a hint of swirl, producing an exceptionally smooth bokeh.

我收藏的第三顆蘇聯鏡頭是Jupiter-9 85mm f2 MC，與戰前的CONTAC RF相機接環的Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 85mm f2有著濃濃的血緣關係。這顆鏡頭是上個世紀80年代後期製造的，有冠上MC鍍膜，雖然外觀磨損的很厲害，鏡片倒是蠻乾淨的。這顆鏡頭剛到手時，光圈環的數字和指標位置有些差異，我費了一些功夫拆下整個鏡組和光圈環，將光圈環重新鎖定在正確的位置，讓每個光圈環的數字和指標都能對得上。

這鏡頭最大的特色是在光圈全開時，反差很低、很柔和，但縮光圈後反差也就好很多。第一張照片uBike腳踏車背後，散景一路往後「化開」，高光邊緣帶一點奶油感與旋轉感，非常滑順。

Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8 and Sony A7C

2026/3/22





My very first Soviet lens collection piece, the Industar-61 L/Z MC 50mm f/2.8, is back in action. I took it for a walk around the National Taiwan University campus to soak up some sunshine. Under bright sunlight, using the sparkling highlights filtering through the leaves as the background, this lens can produce its signature “star-shaped bokeh” effect.

Over the past few years, NTU has been undergoing constant redevelopment. Old buildings have been demolished one after another, while new buildings funded by alumni donations continue to rise. Even NTU Xiao-Fu, where I used to bring my kids on weekends, has been torn down. Over these past two decades, my photos of the NTU campus have gradually evolved from Fujifilm slide film and peel-apart film to digital photography and Instax film.

我收藏的第一顆蘇聯鏡頭 Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8 又出動了，帶它來台灣大學校園走走，曬曬太陽。在大太陽下，以樹葉的點狀反光作為背景，就可拍出這顆鏡頭特有的「星狀散景」效果。

這幾年台大持續大興土木，老舊建築一棟一棟的拆，校友捐贈的新大樓一棟一棟的蓋，以前週末溜小孩的台大小福也拆掉了。這二十幾年來，我拍台大校景的照片也從富士正片、撕拉片，漸漸得變成數位相片、Instax底片。不變的就是手上的四十幾棵手動對焦老鏡頭，拜各種轉接環之賜，得以在數位相機和拍立得相機上復活，使得一些傳統優質老鏡的價格也水漲船高。


Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8


Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8


Star-shaped bokeh, Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8


Industar-61-L/Z MC 50mm f2.8

Starburst Bokeh with a Soviet Macro Lens: Индустар-61 Л/З 50/2.8 (Industar-61 L/Z 50 2.8) 星芒特殊散景 蘇聯微距鏡

2022.8.21

The Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC M42 macro lens from the Soviet LZOS factory features an optical structure with a Zeiss Tessar design, consisting of 4 elements in 3 groups. This lens can produce a distinctive six-pointed starburst bokeh between apertures f5.6 to f8. Although Christmas is still four months away, in order to capture the special starburst bokeh, the photographer had to bring out Christmas decorations to serve as the background for Santa Claus.

來自蘇聯LZOS工廠的Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC M42微距鏡，使用蔡司Tessar 4片3群的光學結構，在光圈5.6~8之間可拍出六芒星的特殊散景。雖然今年聖誕節還要4個月才會來臨，為了拍出星芒特殊散景，也只好把聖誕燈飾找出來當聖誕老公公的背景了。


Sony A7 Mark II + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC (six-pointed starburst bokeh 六芒星散景)


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


The exterior design of the lens exudes the rugged and robust aesthetic characteristic of the fighting nation. 鏡頭外觀是戰鬥民族貫有的粗曠感


Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC Apeature Fully Opened 光圈全開


Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC Apeature 光圈 f5.6-8

Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC
4 elements 3 groups optical formula 4片3群的光學結構
https://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_343.html

NONS SL42 + Fujifilm Instax Wide Mini @ Tamsui Shell Warehouse 淡水殼牌倉庫

2022,7,6

A Visit to Tamsui Shell Warehouse

A few days ago, thanks to my mother-in-law's recommendation, I discovered that there is a 'Shell Warehouse' near the Tamsui MRT station. Yes, it's the Shell that sells petroleum! Coincidentally, today my child is participating in soccer training at Tamkang University in Tamsui. After handing my child over to the team coach, I took my NONS SL42 instant camera to the 'Shell Warehouse' to take photos. The entire area is very clean, and the buildings have been well restored (at least to us non-experts).

一訪淡水殼牌倉庫

前幾天經岳母介紹後，我才知道淡水捷運站旁有個「殼牌倉庫」，沒錯，就是那家賣石油的 Shell！剛好今天小孩到淡水真理大學參加足球集訓，把小孩交給球隊教練後，我就帶 NONS SL42 拍立得相機到「殼牌倉庫」拍照，整個園區很乾淨，建築物也修復的不錯 (對我們外行人而言)。

'The designated historical site of the original British firm Jardine Matheson Warehouse (Tamsui Shell Warehouse) has four large warehouses, three small buildings, and the remains of oil tanks, covering an area of nearly 13,200 square meters. It bears witness to important historical moments such as the opening of Tamsui Port, Japan's rule over Taiwan, and the bombing of Taiwan by the U.S. military during World War II. It is one of the few surviving foreign trade warehouses in northern Taiwan and one of the few industrial heritage sites in Taiwan.'

For a complete introduction, you can refer to the New Taipei City Government website:  https://newtaipei.travel/zh-tw/attractions/detail/110415

「新北市市定古蹟原英商嘉士洋行倉庫(淡水殼牌倉庫)擁有四座大倉庫、三座小建築物、油槽遺址，約近4千坪的土地面積，見證淡水開港、日本領台、二次世界大戰美軍轟炸台灣等重要歷史時刻，是北臺灣少數僅存的洋行倉庫，也是台灣少數僅有的工業遺址古蹟。」

完整的介紹可參考新北市政府網站 https://newtaipei.travel/zh-tw/attractions/detail/110415


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Carl Zeiss Distagon 28/2.8 T*


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Carl Zeiss Distagon 28/2.8 T*


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Zenitar Fish-Eye 16/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8 MC


NONS SL42 + NFE + Carl Zeiss Distagon 28/2.8 T*

Finally, for those interested, a reminder: the sensitivity of Fujifilm Instax is as high as ISO 800. Bringing a ND4 or ND8 neutral density filter will allow you to capture many great shots.

最後，看到這的同好，提醒您 Fujifilm Instax 的感光度高達 ISO 800，帶個 ND4 或 ND8 的減光鏡，會讓您多拍許多好作品。

Let's play with film puzzles! Bessa R2C + Jupiter 11 4/135

I've seen photography works like this before in Japanese MOOK magazines, where they use the cropping and saving method after shooting on film (6 frames x 6 strips) to present a subject, creating an image that resembles a 36-piece puzzle.

For the following two examples, film photography enthusiasts should quickly understand the shooting process:

1. Prepare one roll of 135 film.

2. Get a 135mm-200mm telephoto lens.

3. Choose a theme, whether it's horizontal or vertical. In my examples, I used a 3x6 format, so one roll of film can capture two frames.

3. Select a shooting distance. Simulate composing the theme in a 3x6 format using 18 frames, keeping in mind that the film counting goes from right to left and from top to bottom.

4. Set the camera to manual exposure, determining the aperture and shutter speed. Try not to change settings during shooting to ensure consistent exposure across the 18 frames.

5. Start shooting formally, capturing each frame at a steady pace of 1-2 seconds each. Stay focused!

After finishing the shoot, it's time to develop the film. Remember to ask the lab not to cut the film, and cut it yourself at home to avoid accidentally cutting the wrong frame, ensuring the pieces can be arranged into a complete artwork.

Voigtlander Bessa R2C, Jupiter-11 4/135, RDP III


Voigtlander Bessa R2C, Jupiter-11 4/135, RDP III

以前在日文MOOK上看過這樣的攝影作品，利用底片拍攝後剪裁保存方式(6 frames x 6 strips)來呈現一個主體，作品很像一幅36片的拼圖。

就以下兩個例子，喜歡底片的攝影同好應該很快就了解其拍攝步驟：

1. 準備135底片1卷。
2. 準備135mm-200mm的長鏡頭。
3. 挑選主題，橫幅或直幅，我的例子是3x6，因此1卷底片可以拍2幅。
4. 挑選拍攝距離，模擬以18張底片將主題以3x6方式構圖，注意底片的計數是由右至左，由上而下。
5. 將相機設定成手動曝光，決定好光圈快門，拍攝中途盡量不要變動，讓18張底片的曝光一致。
6. 正式開拍，以每張1~2秒的速度循序拍攝，要專心。

拍攝完畢後就可以送洗底片了，記得請店家不要剪斷底片，回家自己剪，才不會不小心剪錯格，無法排成一幅完整作品。