Can you use Russian Thread Mount Lenses on a Leica TM camera?

[2Monkees]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but as I never owned a Leica II or III and somebdy asked me this question, I've been sadly too ignorant to know 😱

So can you place say a Jupiter 8 on a Leica II/ III?

 

[Didier]

If the russian lens has 39mm screw mount (Zorki, Fed), yes. There are also Zenit 39mm screw mount SLR lenses which will not work on screwmount rangefinders.

Russian lenses have much more mechanical tolerance problems, and quality control issues (or better said, a lack of quality control). Many do not focus properly on Leica/Bessa/ZeissIkon/Epson bodies because of several reasons, collimation, and more. Check a lens wide open close up, mid distance, infinity to know more about it. The rule is "buy three use the best" 🙂.

Some specialists may adjust the lens for your camera (fedka, Oleg)

Didier

 

[newspaperguy]

Yes, you can use them. Many are terrific as you receive them... others, as Deed pointed out , may need some 'fiddling'. Only the J-12 needs some caution before trying. (Will not work in Bessas, and that big glass bulb on this Zeiss Biagon copy may be find interferance [sp?] in some other cameras.)

 

[wolves3012]

I've used a Jupiter 8, Jupiter 12 and Industar 22 on a Leica IIIC. The J-8 didn't focus too well so Kim Coxon has worked some magic on it. The other two worked fine.

 

[payasam]

I used an Industar 61 L/D, a Jupiter 12 and a Jupiter 3 on a IIIc. Still have the lenses and use the first two on an M2 -- with the last named passing under Kim's wand.

 

[brachal]

The 50mm FED f/3.5 collapsible lives on my IIIf.

 

[Santafecino]

There is a question (some say it's not even a question) whether the Russian LTM lenses were built for a rangefinder that assumes a standard focal length a little longer than the Leica standard. Nevertheless, adjustments can be made, and I have Jupiter 8, 3, 9, and 11 lenses that work very well on my Leicas.
--Lindsay

 

[John Robertson]

All my russian lenses worked well on my Leicas, (11,111f and 111g) when I had them. what they did not work well on was my Canon7s, they would screw so far in and then jam. My 28mm Hektor and 135 Elmar did the same!!

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

All my russian lenses worked well on my Leicas, (11,111f and 111g) when I had them. what they did not work well on was my Canon7s, they would screw so far in and then jam. My 28mm Hektor and 135 Elmar did the s
ame!!

John, I use a J8 and I61l/d on my Canon 7 with no problems, I'd like to to use a J12, - but it catches the baffles in the body! 😡

Dave.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Never had a problem, and I've tried most of them.

An intriguing aside here is that Leica screw mount is 39mm x 26 tpi (they were microscope manufacturers, remember) NOT 39x1mm (25,4 tpi).

A few Japanese lenses were reputedly 39mm x 1mm and therefore may not mount/remove easily.

Cheers,

R.

 

[2Monkees]

Thank you, Gents!

Thank you, Gents!

Hmmmm, maybe I'll find myself a Leica III one day to try with the Russian lenses I am acquiring 😉

 

[QUAsit]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but as I never owned a Leica II or III and somebdy asked me this question, I've been sadly too ignorant to know 😱

So can you place say a Jupiter 8 on a Leica II/ III?

Moreover, no problem to use Jupiters on M-Leicas as well. I use J3 as normal lens, wating to buy C-Sonnar

 

[2Monkees]

Looks like I'll be testing this out.....

Looks like I'll be testing this out.....

Won this Leica on the Bay.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230226702057&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013

Wasn't expecting to get it! 😱

Although I asked the seller loads of questions it could all end in tears when I get it, but I didn't pay the earth for it. However, it does look to be clean and the seller did say that the RF and VF are clean on it, it has it's take-up spool, shutter speed dial and speeds appear to be working correctly, etc.

Can anyone in the UK recommend someone that could CLA the camera?

I'm waiting for my minty Jupiter-12 to arrive from a UK seller but received a 35mm VF for it already at a great price from yet another UK seller: both cost me less than from FSU sellers.

I better keep well away from the Bay.....and just buy more film from now on 😀

HAGD all!

 

[Spider67]

Congrats to your acquisition 2Monkees!
I have tried the IIIc&J12 combination and it worked fine for me. I also tried it with the 35/2.5 Skopar but have no results yet.
So you can look forwar to a lot of fun!

 

[Santafecino]

A IIIc was my first Leica--in 1958. That was #401842 and it served me well until it was stolen in Milan in 1964. It came with a Summitar, (#626381) and I recommend the combination highly. There are enough of them around so they don't cost an arm and a leg, and they are entirely reliable. Good choice!
--Lindsay

 

[2Monkees]

Well, I gt a Summitar!

Well, I gt a Summitar!

A IIIc was my first Leica--in 1958. That was #401842 and it served me well until it was stolen in Milan in 1964. It came with a Summitar, (#626381) and I recommend the combination highly. There are enough of them around so they don't cost an arm and a leg, and they are entirely reliable. Good choice!
--Lindsay

Thanks for the suggestion! I won a Summitar on the Bay and my IIIc whilst not cosmetically prestine: it's in like new mechanical condition...all shutter speeds work, rangefinder brilliantly clean and clear, VF too, shutter curtains look excellent (just put in my first test film) and all my russian glass focus properly on it.