bessa R and J-12 question

[lido]

Hi guys,

I am thinking about ordering Bessa R from Mr. Gandy and have couple of questions regarding the lenses. I would prefer to have 35mmm on the camera as it is my favorite focal length, but would settle for 50mm to start with. Is it possible to mount J-12 on the R? I heard some people say that the back of the lens hits the shutter on M cameras. I heard good things about J-12 and wouldn’t mind trying it out, as well as J-8. I currently have Kiev 4am with Helios and love that lens, but would like to move to a more modern rangefinder with built in meter (my sunny-16 skills seem to go down the drain in more problematic lighting situations when there is no time to pull out my Weston Master V 😉 ).

Also any insight on J-12 and J-8 would be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[cbass]

Lido,

The Jupiter-12 will not mount on the Bessa R or L. The bulbous rear element won't fit all the way into the camera before making contact with the shutter. The Jupiter-8 will mount on the Bessa R. Many RFF members seem to use J-8s, I-26 and I-61L/D lenses with their Bessas.

If you like the 35mm focal length you should try the CV 35/2.5. It's a very nice lens and is reasonably priced.

 

[Kin Lau]

What ManGo said.

 

[captainslack]

If you want a 35mm to go with the R, get the Kit that CameraQuest offers.

 

[RML]

J12, certain models are reported to fit but I don't have that experience. It does fit the R-D1, though. In my experience the J12 flares like mad, especially when light is coming from a low angle (sun in autumn or early evening). I like the image quality of the J12 but find it very unpredicatable when it'll flare or not.

J8, you can't go wrong with that lens, providing you get a good one. But they're cheap so buying a few isn't a problem. And thise that won't work so well with your Bessa, will still work well with any russian RF camera, so sell them to someone else.

 

[lido]

Is there are year range that is more favorable for J-8? Some people recommend newer onese, but on other sites I read that 57-62 are the best years?

 

[lido]

If you want a 35mm to go with the R, get the Kit that CameraQuest offers.

I would love to, but it's currently out of my price range.

Cheers.

 

[Burkey]

Hi Folks. . .
First post here. I often contribute on the Leica forums but since I'm about to buy a film rangefinder, (all my recent work of the past four years has been digital), I'm finding this site very valuable indeed. I'm leaning strongly toward CQ's R3a with with the 40/1.4 lens Steve Gandy prominantely features. My question is that I keep reading here about "kits" but have yet to spot one on the CQ site. Any input about what these include would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ray_g]

I think they are referring to the Bessa R + 35/2.5

http://cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm

 

[Burkey]

Thanks, Ray. This looks to be an incredable deal. Any thoughts about the "R" as opposed to the R3A? The 3A appealed to me because of the viewfinder.

 

[Burkey]

Manolo - thanks for the overview of the two cameras. This web site is proving to be considerably valuable for me. I appreciate the input.

 

[newspaperguy]

FWIW - the J-12 rear element may clear the shutter,
but will certainly contact the CDS sensor (in the bottom
of the film chamber in both the Bessa L and the Bessa R.