Leica M4 MOT w/Jupiter-8
In production from 1967 to 1970, the M4 M and MOT were designed for use with a motor drive. There were 315 M4 M and 640 M4 MOT produced. Many were purchased by the US Navy. Add a Soviet Jupiter-8 lens for the perfect cold war odd couple.
Supposedly the Navy marked most of the M4 MOT with a hand engraver. This one was either not a Navy camera or escaped the indignity of the engraver. It does show some nice ware that gives it a great look. I pared it with the the USSR built Jupiter-8 lens. The Jupiter is a screw mount so needs an adapter to M mount.
Why the Jupiter? I wanted to try the lens and the idea that the M4 may have been ex-navy, now sporting a Soviet era lens, makes my inner hippie smile.
My Take:
The M4 MOT, shot like the M4 I shot previously. That is to say flawlessly. And it looked fantastic doing it. I don't have or need the motor attachment so for me this is just a good looking black paint M4. The paint is rubbing off on the corner and contact point to give it that black paint leica look. But there is nothing worn out about the functionality.
The Jupiter-8 is 50mm f/2 lens is a cheap alternative to the already inexpensive Jupiter-3 lens.
I was very satisfied with the result I got out of this setup. Not a shock that the Leica would be great, but the Jupiter-8 preformed great. From what I read there can be some variation in quality but at less than $100 you have some cheap (compared to the Leica) thrill.
Lens: Jupiter-8 50mm 2.0
Film: Illford HP5 Plus 400