50 or 35mm FSU lenses on Bessa R?

C

caffeineshutter

CJ
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Sep 22, 2005
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I'm interested in purchasing a Zorki, FED, etc. 50mm lens for my Bessa R.

However, with all the variances in registration I've read about, it seems as though there's a very good chance that I'll be spending money on a paperweight.

What the deal with glass like this? Do you just roll the dice and hope for the best? Is there a simple way of shimming the lens if need-be? And how--and with what--is it done?


Thanks,

-CJ
 
I have two Jupiter 8 lenses (black and chrome) that work fine on the Bessa R.
I also have a FED Elmar copy (see my avatar) that works on the Bessa.
No shimming or other hijinks required.

Peter
 
I have an Industrar and Jupiter 8 50mm lenses for my R2 and R2a. No problems. The Russian-made 35s will block your meter, tho.
 
All the 50's work fine, just don't try to collapse any of them like the I-22 or I-50, it _will_ hit the shutter.

The Russian 35mm Jupiter 12 also will _not_ work. The rear element _will_ hit the shutter.
 
I have a Industar 61 LD - 55mm F/2.8. Black with Chrome rings. I just got it, I was told as long as I used a "Quality" M adapter (CV, Leitz) there is no need to shim the lens. The previous owner used it on a R-D1 (Bessa R2 body) with fine results. I just droped the roll off that has sample shoots, so it may be a week or so before I see the results.

I'm told the Industar 61 LD is one of the sharpest FSU normal lens.
 
I've used Jupiter-3, Jupiter-8, Industar-61 LD, Jupiter-9, and Jupiter-11 lenses on my R and I've never had an issue. I'm not a guy who takes pictures of things wide-open at 1 meter :D , but I've never had a problem. If you get a good example you'll be OK.

There's still some debate about whether or not the focal registration of these lenses is different from Western LTM or not. I'm not sold on it. Most sources that support the theory claim that the focusing error will be 4 - 5 cm at 1 m. At greater distances (and tighter apertures) DOF would cover it.

The best advice I can give would be to spend a little extra money and buy from a trustworthy dealer -- I would recommend Yuri at fedka.com. There's a lot of information in the Russian RF forum about adjusting and shimming these lenses if it comes to that. Search and you'll find it.
 
I've used several FSU 50's on the Bessa, including a Jupiter-8, Industar-61 and collapsible Industar-22. I had no problems with these.

With the INdustar-22 I put a rubber band around the barrel so it wouldn't collapse fully into the body.

I've also taken photos with the Jupiter-12 35mm lens, but I can't recommend it; on my Bessa it will hit the shutter when focused at > 10m.
 
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