I want a quality LTM body for my I-61 ...

[paulfish4570]

... and I-50. As much as I like my FED-2d, I just cannot trust it day in, day out.
Thanks to all of y'all's advice on other threads, I have a short list and want to know what you think of it:

Canon P (figure fresh CLA in purchase cost or post-purchase)

Bessa R (figure that grip thingy or a Zhou half case, or a machined plate for the bottom to add a little weight)

Leica iiif or iiic (figure fresh CLA in purchase cost or post-purchase, and Zhou half case to add a little weight)

Thanks,

 

[Bingley]

Canon P is the best bet if you want a solid camera body that's simple to load. Prices are v. reasonable right now. A CLA'd P is a really nice camera, particularly if you use mainly 50. The other cameras on your list are also fine (I had an R, and have a IIIc as well as a P), but if I had to pick one from that list it would be the P.

 

[NathanJD]

Be aware Paul, that your FSU lenses may require some shimming and adjustments to fit the cameras you have mentioned as the lenses are not true LTM. I used my Jupiter 8 on a Bessa R2A and it back focussed.

i would suggest that the choice depends on your preferences - do you want a barnack, a Leica M style vintage camera or a modern M style camera? each one is a good choice and i doubt you'll be disappointed whichever way you turn 🙂

 

[paulfish4570]

Nathan, I am aware of the potential shimming issue. It is no big thing at all. Both of my lenses are easily shimmable ...

 

[Mudman]

owning a leica iii, I don't think you need a case to add weight to it. they're small but dense.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Be aware Paul, that your FSU lenses will require some shimming and adjustments to fit the cameras you have mentioned as the lenses are not true LTM. I used my Jupiter 8 on a Bessa R2A and it back focussed.


)

Not all the time.

In my experience, I've used not only Industar but the big aperture or long Jupiters as well, on many Barnack copies. My I-50 and I-61 (several of them) focus properly on my Canon, Nicca, Shanghai, and the Leica themselves;

I can say the same for Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-3, as well as the 85mm J-9. I have friends who have Jupiter-3 which focus right on their Bessa cameras too. Mine does great on my Bessa-derived RD-1s.

Many of the malfunctioning lenses are usually bad factory outputs or funked repair jobs. Ask Marc James Small. He has his own subsection here, and an authority on non-Leitz LTMs. 🙂

 

[NathanJD]

Nathan, I am aware of the potential shimming issue. It is no big thing at all. Both of my lenses are easily shimmable ...

True that. no big thing at all, but a potential bugbear to those who may not know. shimming lenses is straight forward with a loupe and ground glass.

I hope whatever you choose brings you lots of pleasure 😉

 

[paulfish4570]

Both of my I's focused properly on my former Bessa R ...

 

[NathanJD]

Not all the time.

In my experience, I've used not only Industar but the big aperture or long Jupiters as well, on many Barnack copies. My I-50 and I-61 (several of them) focus properly on my Canon, Nicca, Shanghai, and the Leica themselves;

I can say the same for Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-3, as well as the 85mm J-9. I have friends who have Jupiter-3 which focus right on their Bessa cameras too. Mine does great on my Bessa-derived RD-1s.

Many of the malfunctioning lenses are usually bad factory outputs or funked repair jobs. Ask Marc James Small. He has his own subsection here, and an authority on non-Leitz LTMs. 🙂

Sure, you're not guaranteed the issue but it does come up as you have said. my J-8 focuses perfectly on my Zorki-4k and my FED-2. i am under no illusions that any of my ebay bargain find lenses are of anything approaching 'decent' in construction or accuracy. as many people have said here over and again, there are no guarantees with FSU equipment

 

[Brian Legge]

Mine is still in need of repair, but the earlier Canon rangefinders may be worth looking at.

I just picked up a Canon IIf as a project camera. Similar styling and feel as a screw mount Leica but heavier and with a unified finder that has 3 levels of magnification. I shoot mostly 50mm lenses so being able to either frame a full shot or switch to the most magnified zoom when focus is really important feels like it would be nice.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Sure, you're not guaranteed the issue but it does come up as you have said. my J-8 focuses perfectly on my Zorki-4k and my FED-2. i am under no illusions that any of my ebay bargain find lenses are of anything approaching 'decent' in construction or accuracy. as many people have said here over and again, there are no guarantees with FSU equipment

You did say,

... that your FSU lenses will require some shimming and adjustments to fit the cameras you have mentioned as the lenses are not true LTM.

And that is a blanket statement based - according to what you say- as one sample J-8.

Statistically speaking, I have perhaps more than two dozens Jupiters and Industars of various types (they came attached to cameras) and almost all focus right. Those which don't, the prewar Industars which came with early FED-1, have a different camming, as well as focus register, than the later Industars like the 61.

 

[NathanJD]

🙄 i do apologise i SHOULD have said may require shimming. my 12 day old son didn't let me sleep last night and i'm not feeling the brightest button right now lol. i'll shut up now.

P.S. post edited for clarity - note made in edit notes.

 

[paulfish4570]

Well, Nathan, you must a photo or two of your new son in the gallery. My oldest son and his bride are expecting their first child - a son - in three weeks. He will be our second grandchild ...

 

[paulfish4570]

My former j-8 also focused properly on my former Bessa R ...

 

[paulfish4570]

Brian, I sppreciate the thought on the older Canons, but I want something more common ...

 

[Mablo]

Canon P is the best bet if you want a solid camera body that's simple to load. Prices are v. reasonable right now. A CLA'd P is a really nice camera, particularly if you use mainly 50. The other cameras on your list are also fine (I had an R, and have a IIIc as well as a P), but if I had to pick one from that list it would be the P.

I feel exactly the same way. P is an efficient and practical workhorse.

 

[johannielscom]

The Canon P is the heaviest and sturdiest of the bunch you listed, and also has a 1:1 finder.

Should you need a less lightweight camera to easier steady and a good viewfinder, the P is it.

 

[shadowfox]

Another vote for Canon P.
My Jupiter-8 seems to focus just fine on it.

 

[MV72]

Canon P and Jup-8 match and handle very well indeed.
High quality body.

Marc

 

[wolves3012]

Why not a properly serviced FSU?