Jupiter 21M 200mm f4 Lens User Review and Specifications

In this article, we will do a manual lens review again. Our review lens this time is Jupiter 21m 200mm f4. Let’s start by giving the technical feature table as usual:

Jupiter 21M 200mm Physical Properties

With a weight of almost 1 kg, the Russian tank Jupiter 21m 200mm f4 has a different place among 200mm lenses with its 5-element structure that is not too complicated. Physically quite big. The metal body has a great effect on this weight. Nobody can deny that it will not take up space in the bag with a length of about 17cm.

With 58mm filter diameter, the light reception power of our lens is really good. In fact, this was one of the important features that I paid attention to in my shots. Jupiter gives the shutter, which is given by different 200 mm f2.8 lenses as 1/20 in f2.8, as 1/15 in f4.8. Moreover, it gives 1/4 at f4,5. When I bought F5.6, I measured the automatic shutter speed as 1/13. There is no blackening etc. in the photographs. The light is normal. Already the camera I compare the two lenses is the same and the object I shoot is the same. So I compared it under the same light conditions. Although reducing the diaphragm between F4 and f5.6 affects depth of field, it does not affect the shutter as much as needed. It is not always a situation that can be encountered. It is necessary to exhaust this situation positively.

Focus and Aperture Rings

Focus Ring is too soft. In general, the focus rings of Russian lenses have always been hard on me. Especially the Helios 77m-4 model is 50mm f1.8. The focus ring of all the copies I had was pretty hard. But this lens is very soft. It is necessary to turn it about 270 degrees to focus from the front to the back. Frankly, it seemed a little too much to me. Jupiter 200mm heavy weight is not easy to use.

The diaphragm ring has a stop. It’s not like a fluid preset. The best part is that it stands at half stops. I just do not like those who stand at full diaphragm stops. Sometimes even the diaphragm may be very necessary tomorrow, so we can use half diaphragms (such as f4.5 or f7.1). They have a good transition. It’s easy to use.

Just under the diaphragm ring is the automatic-manual diaphragm transition ring. Do not look at what I say to the public; Although it is physically a ring, only two functions are used for A-M. This mode A means that you can handle the function of the pin at the back and make the diaphragm transitions without pushing the pin. Suitable for use with any simple adapter in DSLR or mirrorless.

Jupiter 200mm f4 Sharpness

Another thing I would like to point out is the sharpness in the most open diaphragm, which is not very common especially in tele-tele lenses. The Jupiter 200mm lens maximum aperture is seriously sharp even at f4. On full-frame machines, the edges can remain softer, but on cropped machines, the edges are sharper. Especially when it gets enough light, the center is really unexpectedly sharp. As the diaphragm is narrowed, the corners get serious improvements and the center also heals. Considering it is a tele lens, its sharpness is really good. Maybe a quality is not as good as a 50mm but I can say it’s great for tele. Especially close and medium distance. There are already some sharpness losses due to weather conditions rather than the lenses that are included in long distances.

Jupiter 21M 200mm Color and chromatic aberration (CA)

I also liked the colors. Close to classic quality Russian style lenses. Minimally warm. Colors can be adjusted easily on PC. No need to worry too much. Likewise, contrast is good for f5.6 and beyond, except for backlight. I can say that it handles around F4.

I continue assuming that I just entered in the previous paragraph. One of its biggest weaknesses is the serious contrast loss in backlight. It creates ghosts quite a lot. This is one of the situations often encountered with old manual lenses. To cut down the diaphragm also works, but still does not disappear completely. But according to my researches on the internet, the solution was not destroyed. By placing a few simple sponges on the bayonet part of the lens, this light burst could be almost completely destroyed. I will write a note by trying a suitable break.

Let’s come to the chromatic aberration. Color deviation (CA) can be observed without disturbing. Less in low diaphragms. But there is no problem in a diaphragm that can ruin photography. Also, if you are not using films, CA can be covered with a photochip.

Jupiter 21m 200 mm f4 Vignette & Bokeh – Other Features

When used in full frame, there are vignettes on the edges that do not bother around f4. F5.6 can also be seriously eliminated. Although it is not completely passed, it is very difficult to understand after f8. In terms of vignette, I think it is a lens that will pass the class.

Russian lenses become characteristic. They differ from other lenses either with their construction or with a feature like bokeh. This lens is different with its huge construction. But there is no classic Russian air in their bokeh. There is no swerly bokeh. Or it doesn’t have a different character, bokeh. Creamy and high quality. The ability to produce bokeh is successful. In portrait shots, his background can kill very sweetly. Maybe it’s not 200mm f2.8 but it’s good enough to be used in portraits.

It has a metal parasol that can stretch and shorten by itself. It is ready for immediate use when needed. I really like these blinds. When it is not used, it does not affect the sharpening ring or any use.

The front optics do not rotate during focusing. It is suitable for using clp filter.

Even though I researched if any type of coating was used, I could not find it. However, in the front parts of the lenses that use coating, most of the time, the type of coating is determined with colored letters. For example, red T * or green MC can be written. Based on this inference, I assume that no coating is used in this lens. Maybe this is why the aphthalmic ghosts in the backlight can be.

Jupiter 21M 200mm Price

If we look at the prices of Jupiter (Юпитер) 21M 200mm f4, it finds buyers according to its cleanliness between 50-120 dollars. You will not find another tele lens with good optical quality at these prices. For the Jupiter 21M 200mm f4.0 I can say it is a full price / performance product.

Jupiter 21M 200mm’s Brother Jupiter 21A 200mm f4

The Jupiter 21M 200mm f/4 also has a brother. We cannot find this information everywhere, and when I researched it in depth, it came across. The twin’s name is Jupiter (Юпитер) 21A 200mm f4.0. Instead of just M, the letter A is different. Physically about 240 g lighter and thinner. Also, 21A was produced in different bayonets. 21A is a previously produced series. And not as much as 21M. Optical lenses are very similar. Users argue it has high quality results too. There are many who claim to be even better…