FSU lenses on a Bessa L

eyesglassy

eyesglassy

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Hello, Looking at the Grand Prix Mir-1 and the Helios 44. Is there any reason why these lenses wouldn't work on a Bessa L? Thanks, Joe.
 
The lenses you mention (Mir-1 and Helios-44) are designed for SLRs with a 42 mm thread mount, while the Bessa uses lenses with a 39 mm thread. So, unless you're using a P-mount to LTM mount adapter, the answer would be that they can't be used.
 
Mmm.. I just realised that besides in 42-mm thread mount, the lenses you mentioned also come in M-39 mount, but intended for the Zenit-C SLR: http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1248712361

Still, they won't work correctly because of their being designed to accomodate extra distance from the film plane that the mirror imposes. There's a page that describes what happens if you try to mount such lenses across different platforms: http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/combos/
 
Thank you Peter! Those are great pages I've never seen. The Bessa L/Jupiter 8 with Accura finder is a set-up I have and like. I was trying to figure out a similar set-up with a cheap wide angle lens. One that I could take into bars without worrying. I have a CV 25/4 that has taken a beating. I'll keep looking. Thanks again, Joe.
 
I guess you want the Bessa for the meter? If you can live without the meter just take any compact FSU body with long exposure times and a Jupiter-12. Lighting in bars doesn't vary that much and it might be easier to use an external meter anyway.
 
Sejanus.Aelianus said:
The Jupiter 12 would be the obvious choice, as you (and I) like the 8. Unfortunately...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54864
Click to expand...

Basically that thread says you can use it unless you focus further out than something like 2.5-3m. I've done this myself, see the picture below which was taken with a Jupiter-12 on a Bessa-R. You have a lot of hyperfocal distance and in bars he'll be focusing close anyway, so it might just be fine. Meter readings are probably not worth much though because the rear element shades off the sensor, so you might just use a non-metered body.

U4985I1272209760.SEQ.0.jpg
 
All of my concerns are being answered! Thanks for the replies. I don't really use a meter. Mostly shoot bands and use a flash. I bought the Bessa's when they first came out and liked them. I mostly scale focus or guesstimate, so the Bessa L was made for me. And they're cheap. I thought the Jupiter 12 would damage the shutter but after reading this I'm going to try it. The idea of an FSU body makes sense, I've never had one. I'll look the Canon's too, I see they sell for resonable prices. Thanks very much, Joe.
 
Well alright! I just received a beautiful Jupiter 12 lens from forum member rbelyell. Mounted it on a Bessa L body. The focus ring turns to 15 meters. That's plenty. The light meter will not work, That's ok too. I'll run a roll through this weekend. Very curious to see how this works. I hope to be a CV viewfinder away from an awesome camera! Thanks for all the great info everyone! Joe.
 
eyesglassy said:
Well alright! I just received a beautiful Jupiter 12 lens from forum member rbelyell. Mounted it on a Bessa L body. The focus ring turns to 15 meters. That's plenty. The light meter will not work, That's ok too. I'll run a roll through this weekend. Very curious to see how this works. I hope to be a CV viewfinder away from an awesome camera! Thanks for all the great info everyone! Joe.
Click to expand...

Usable focus is likely to be less than those 15 meters. As you focus further away, the rear element begins to push against the shutter; if you were to click the shutter, you'd risk damaging the shutter or scratching the rear element, which would be Bad.

When I tried this with my Bessa R, I opened the back, focused and looked when the shutter started to bulge a bit. That was at ca. 7m, the distance where the rear element on mine hit the shutter. I then never focused further out than 5m and covered the rest by stopping down, it works rather well.
 
Thanks, I will proceed with caution. I won't know anything for sure until testing with film. I do have the back open with shutter on B. Turning the focus past 15 m. the rear element is at least 3/16th of an inch from the shutter. That being said, I would never have to move the focus past 10 m., that puts infinity on 2.8. So I should be ok as long as the test roll goes well. I'll share the results. Thanks, Joe.
 
Also the serial # starts with 600...Is it possible older models of this lens may be shorter? I'm usually not very lucky.
 
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