Canon LTM Russian lenses

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
S

Stan

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I've just bought a Canon P. The 50mm Jupiter 8 fits perfectly, but the 85mm and 135mm lenses will not screw in fully. Has anyone any suggestions>
 
Hmm... that sounds odd. Not surprising with the occasional build quality issues in ComBloc lenses, but odd. Do you by chance have another LTM camera to try them on? Are they at the minimum focusing distance when you try to mount them (the little tab/ring coupling for the RF system is all the way in the lens at the min. focusing distance)?

All I know about is the Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 12 (which isn't "supposed" to work, according to most) on my P. It's about 2 a.m. here in the states, and still very early in Europe (most posters are in these locations). Give it until it's time for dinner (for you) and you should have some good answers by then.
 
I've used a Canon P which was fine with most lenses but really disagreed with a J12. I removed the rear element and confirmed it was just extremely tight threading. Cleaning both the mount and lenses threads helped but it was still tight. The J12 mounted without an problem on every other LTM camera (Another Canon LTM body, conversion rings, a Leica IIIc, etc).
 
Thanks, Bobbo and Brian. The 85mm lens had decided to function, but the 135mm still refuses to screw home. I've tried it on my Zorki 4K, and there's no problem.
 
I read somewhere, as pointed out above, there are QC issues. There can be differences in thread pitch.
 
Very odd. Keep us updated on this, as it's a problem I haven't run into. Usually you have issues similar to this w/ the Russian cameras, not a Canon P. Make sure the lens is focused where it's not hitting on the RF cam when screwing it in? That's all I can think of.
 
I've seen this before, and suspect the tolerances were just less tight than the Japanese and German lenses. I gave up trying to get the Jupiter-9 and Jupiter-11 to focus properly wide-open and across the entire range on a Leica standard camera. I use Kiev/Contax mount J-9 and J-11 lenses with my Contax.
 
The aluminium mounts may be slightly deformed? Sometimes just cleaning both threads with a toothpick can solve the problem. That said, I'm also sceptical of getting the 85 and 135 to focus properly with a Canon.
 
Thanks to you all for the advice. I've just tried judicious cleaning and lubrication with a tooth-pick, and the problem is solved. The Canon and I are off to Australia now, to see what we can shoot.
Thanks again.
 
I'd really like to hear about your results with that camera/lens combination. I have a set of Russian lenses and I'm thinking of acquiring a Canon RF to use them, as I want the convenience of the projected paralax corrected framelines. Still, all these potential fit/focus issues have stopped me.
 
From my limited experience, the optical quality of the lenses can vary greatly. I'd suggest a test film at the least. The fit of the lens should be less of a problem. Good luck.
 
After my Zorki & FED experiences I'm considering jumping ship to a Canon RF as I have a number of other Canon cameras which I can rely on to just work; not the same with scenario with FSU stuff.
 
Stan said:
From my limited experience, the optical quality of the lenses can vary greatly. I'd suggest a test film at the least. The fit of the lens should be less of a problem. Good luck.
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Good advice but when you find a good one its really amazing. I have a number of top name 35mm lenses and yet my go-to 35 is a J12 that I got from Brian which was modified to fit/focus Leica LTM correctly.
 
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