BESSA with FSU Lenses.

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I think that I have read somewhere that FSU lenses in LTM,will not function with Bessa cameras.Does that apply to the Bessa L,which I understand does not have a rangefinder.Just wondering whether the Jupiter 12,35 mm. lens would work with this body.
I would welcome any comments or advice.

Brian.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Brian,
There is no real problem using most of the FSU lenses with the Bessa bodies. Lubitel had my BessaR with a J3 fitted and if you look at some of the pictures he's posted there is no problem at all.

There can be a problem with most of the J12 because of the protruding rear element and the way the Bessa's including the L meter. Some of the later J12 will be OK.

Kim

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Hi Brian,
There is no real problem using most of the FSU lenses with the Bessa bodies. Lubitel had my BessaR with a J3 fitted and if you look at some of the pictures he's posted there is no problem at all.

There can be a problem with most of the J12 because of the protruding rear element and the way the Bessa's including the L meter. Some of the later J12 will be OK.

Kim

Cheers Kim,
It seems that the L can be found at lowish prices,and I was thinking aloud.I will take a look at the pics.you have mentioned.

Brian.

 

[captainslack]

I've used several FSU LTM lenses on my Bessa-T with an LTM adaptor. Haven't had any problems. I'd be careful with a J-12, though. You don't want to ruin your meter with that "J-Lo" back end.

 

[RML]

Any LTM lens can be used on any LTM or M mount Bessa. The only thing you might encounter is that the lens needs a little calibration to be at the exact distance from the film plane. Older FSU lenses had a slightly shorter distance. Anyway, stopping down to f8 or lower will negate that problem mostly.

The J12 will not work with the Bessa L. The J12 has an enormous J-Lo like behind, which hits the shutter blades. It can be used on the R-D1, any FED or Zorki, and on the Leica Ms.

 

[wrenhunter]

Several shots in my gallery were taken with a Bessa R and J-8 or J-9 -- both also obtained from Kim. Maybe that is a requirement for success with FSU lenses? 😉

 

[Antonio Shalder]

1975 J8 and MR-2 OK FOR BESSA-R

1975 J8 and MR-2 OK FOR BESSA-R

Hi !
I have a BESSA-R and the only non-russian lens I have in LTM is the 28/2.5 Color Skopar from Cosina-Voigtlander. The other ones are:

- Industar 61 L/D (1991) : Works great

- Jupiter-8 (1956) : Works great

- Jupiter-12 (1975) : Works great and can do infinity focus. It doesn´t touch the shutter, but blocks the light sensor cell. Not a problem for me.

- Jupiter-9 : Works 100%

- Russar MR-2 : As the J12, but no RF coupling

Several people said that J12 and MR-2 couldn´t be used. Maybe older models...

 

[kmack]

Similar to Antonio's experiences

• J-8's black and silver.
• I-61 Panda works well, not my favorite but focuses correctly
• I-22 collapsable works better than expected. Nice package with the Bessa R
• J12 blocks the light sensor but works well other than that

 

[peterc]

On my Bessa R.
J-8s (Black and silver) - work fine.
J-12 - Doesn't hit shutter, but obscures meter - otherwise works fine.

Peter

 

[Dingo]

Really ? I thought the rear class of the J-12 would touch the curtains of all Bessa bodies, wouldn't it ?

 

[peterc]

I thought the rear class of the J-12 would touch the curtains of all Bessa bodies, wouldn't it ?

I had heard that too. But is appears the answer is yes only with some J-12 lenses. I set my Bessa on bulb and then put the lens on with the shutter open to see how far it protruded into the body. In my case, it didn't reach the inner shutter.
Another thing to watch for is that the huge rear element of the J-12 doesn't get mangled on the bottom of the inside of the Bessa where the meter cell is located. Some J-12s could be damaged if they hit the raised inside of the camera.

Peter

 

[Kim Coxon]

From reading other threads when this has come up, I think the later J12's had a smaller rear element and these will fit just. The earlier ones with a vlarger element cause problems. I don't know when the change was I don't know what "year" to look for.

Kim

Really ? I thought the rear class of the J-12 would touch the curtains of all Bessa bodies, wouldn't it ?

 

[zuikologist]

Kim - I would be interested in a good, "late model" J12 if you ever come across one.

 

[lubitel]

The J-3 from Kim works wonderfully on Bessa R. The focus is right on! unfortunately the photos my Gallery have disappeared. But here is a link to my first shots
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16934

 

[Dingo]

I got some J-3+Bessa R shots too in this folder :

http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-3688.html

Hope you like them.

 

[zuikologist]

Dingo - very nice photos. I also like the photos taken with the J8 and J12 - thee does seem to be a family resemblance in the colour rendition from these lenses.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Just to thank everyone for their replies,and for the great examples of their work 😉

I could not have asked for more!!

The only problem being, that now I may have to save for a Bessa, to use with my recently obtained FSU lenses,as well as the Fed 2 and Mir with which they came.

Cheers All,

Brian.