Can I use the J-12 on any LTM body safely?

[raid]

I am a new owner of a black 1987 J12 in beautiful condition. I may have to check accuracy of focusing with the RF.

I have read several postings in which it was warned not to use the J-12 on certain cameras. I have carefully mounted the J-12 on a Zorki-5. Do you have any suggestions what not to do?

I have mounted a vented 40.5mm lens hood on the J-12.

Thanks.

 

[xayraa33]

on certain late LTM Canon cameras, (ie: VIT, P, 7) the sides of the rear element of the J-12 can hit the baffles inside these cameras Raid.
on some J-12s and these late Canon models it may be an ok fit.
check this out on your gear with the shutter on B or T.

 

[raid]

on certain late LTM Canon cameras, (ie: VIT, P, 7) the sides of the rear element of the J-12 can hit the baffles inside these cameras Raid.
on some J-12s and these late Canon models it may be an ok fit.
check this out on your gear with the shutter on B or T.

What would I be looking for ?
My J-12 is a late 1987 model that may have a smaller rear element than the early models. Right now, the J-12 is on a Zorki-5.

 

[Blank288]

Raid,
On one of my Fed-2's I had a problem with the RF cam follower which sat too low. A very little careful upward bending did the trick. And I have a Fed-4 in which a huge light baffle sits in the way of the J12 rear element. (My other F4 doesn't have that protruding baffle.)
On one of my FSU's (I forgot which one) I remember a metal post (meant to block the RF-follower from being pushed too far back?) which obstructed the rear element too. I've bent it backwards a bit, which cured the problem.
My J12 (also a later one) fits nicely on my other FSU's and (adapted) on my M2.

 

[raid]

Raid,
On one of my Fed-2's I had a problem with the RF cam follower which sat too low. A very little careful upward bending did the trick. And I have a Fed-4 in which a huge light baffle sits in the way of the J12 rear element. (My other F4 doesn't have that protruding baffle.)
On one of my FSU's (I forgot which one) I remember a metal post (meant to block the RF-follower from being pushed too far back?) which obstructed the rear element too. I've bent it backwards a bit, which cured the problem.
My J12 (also a later one) fits nicely on my other FSU's and (adapted) on my M2.

Erik,
Thanks for the tips. I better be careful on which LTM camera I mount this lens.
If I carefully insert the lens element into the camera body and nothing is hit, is this sufficient? Does something possibly happen after releasing the shutter?Is this the real issue?

 

[xayraa33]

What would I be looking for ?
My J-12 is a late 1987 model that may have a smaller rear element than the early models. Right now, the J-12 is on a Zorki-5.

on a Canon 7 for example, with the rear door open and the shutter held open on T (or B with a locking cable release), slowly screw on the J-12 as you observe from the rear of the camera if the sides of the lens's rear element are hitting, or about to hit the black baffle covers that hide the cameras shutter drum and rollers.
most times they do hit on these models, but on some examples there is a tiny bit of clearance and you're home free.
some people push in on these baffles to make the J-12 fit, but that is not a good idea.
if you have a J-12 that does not fit these late model Canons, leave it for the FSU bodies, bottomloader Canons and Leicas and some M Leicas.

 

[raid]

on a Canon 7 for example, with the rear door open and the shutter held open on T (or B with a locking cable release), slowly screw on the J-12 as you observe from the rear of the camera if the sides of the lens's rear element are hitting, or about to hit the black baffle covers that hide the cameras shutter drum and rollers.
most times they do hit on these models, but on some examples there is a tiny bit of clearance and you're home free.
some people push in on these baffles to make the J-12 fit, but that is not a good idea.
if you have a J-12 that does not fit these late model Canons, leave it for the FSU bodies, bottomloader Canons and Leicas and some M Leicas.

I have a Canon P. What about the Bessa T or Leica M6? Is it safe with these cameras?I will try out your suggested test for the P.

This type of information will allow me to specificy one camera for the J-12.

Thanks.

 

[xayraa33]

I have a Canon P. What about the Bessa T or Leica M6? Is it safe with these cameras?I will try out your suggested test for the P.

This type of information will allow me to specificy one camera for the J-12.

Thanks.

on the Bessa it is a No Go, on the M6 it might be a No Go also because of the built in meter ( I do not own an M6), I know you cannot use the J-12 on the M5 & CL.
I have used the J-12 on my Leica M2 and M3 with no problems.

 

[raid]

You are right about the M6, as I can see the meter cell being in the way. Same goes for my CL.As for the Canon P, it looks as if the lens can sneak in [barely].

 

[ferider]

It should be no problem on the M6 mechanically or optically, but you cann't
trust the meter output.

Roland.

 

[brachal]

Don't put it on a Bessa -- the rear element can actually hit the shutter.

 

[Spider67]

I had no problem using the J 12 on a Leica IIIc and used it on my Zorki 6 with very good results but beware of using it on the Bessa R that looks like a close shave

 

[Kent]

Hi, Raid and congratulations to your J-12.
I use my J-12 at my FED-3b without problems. The results are really more than satisfying.

 

[raid]

Hi Kent,
It's good to see you here again.
It looks as if using the J-13 on FSU cameras [with care] is the best way to avoid problems.

Roland: Thanks for this useful info. I guess, the lens will cover some of the meter's elements?

 

[raid]

I had no problem using the J 12 on a Leica IIIc and used it on my Zorki 6 with very good results but beware of using it on the Bessa R that looks like a close shave

This is a good point. I first was consdering a Bessa T, but the lens did not want to mount well on the body with an M adapter.

 

[ferider]

Roland: Thanks for this useful info. I guess, the lens will cover some of the meter's elements?

Yes, Raid, the meter can not "see" the white spot on the curtains any more,
since the J-12 rear element hides it.

Best,

Roland.

 

[oscroft]

On one of my Fed-2's I had a problem with the RF cam follower which sat too low. A very little careful upward bending did the trick.

I had exactly the same problem, which also was fixed by bending the RF cam follower. Since doing that, I've had my J-12 (also a late black one) on a Fed-1, Fed-2, Fed-3b, Zorki 4K and Zorki 6 (it pretty much lives on the Zorki 6).

 

[wolves3012]

I've used the J-12 on all my screw-mount FSUs (bar one) and a Leica IIIC - no problems with any of them. It won't fit the threads of my NKVD FED though (nor will most lenses except the original).

There are known issues with Bessas, where the rear element can hit the shutter. I'd just take a very careful look before you try it. If it looks dodgy, keep away.

 

[NickolasB]

Hi all.
I think possible use extension M39 rings, if shooter near of back J-12 and back lens hold camera mechanism.
THx.
Nickolay.

 

[oscroft]

I think possible use extension M39 rings

That will prevent it focusing on infinity.