Considering a Jupiter-11 135mm for my FED

[Blake Werts]

I'm a relative newcomer to rangefinders and have only used "standard issue" lenses on my FEDs (Industar-26 and -61). I want to begin adding other lenses to my gear but I'm not quite sure what to expect in terms of their use.

Specifically, I am looking at a Jupiter-11 135mm lens, and wondering what else I need to obtain/do in order to be able to use it effectively... Will I need to purchase an additional rangefinder or viewfinder device? Or will I be able to mount the lens on the FED and assume that the rangefinder calibration will work as before?

Like I've stated, I'm relatively new to rangefinders and do not have any mentors around to help me. So I'm seeking advice/help from this great forum.

Thanks Much,
Blake

 

[MartinP]

You would need something like the turret-finder to be able to frame the 135 lens, and preferably a FED-2 (with the wide rangefinder base) to be able to focus it accurately. In principle it should all work out fine.

 

[brachal]

An extenal finder will be needed for precise framing. I'm a big fan of the FSU turret. The frame-lines on the Bessa won't cover 135mm, but you could try guessing. The calibration shouldn't be a problem, but the baselenght of the Bessa is a little short for accurate focusing with a lens that long, especailly at f/4. It can be done, but I wouldn't expect 100% results.

 

[Blake Werts]

You would need something like the turret-finder to be able to frame the 135 lens, and preferably a FED-2 (with the wide rangefinder base) to be able to focus it accurately. In principle it should all work out fine.

Thanks Martin, for the reply.

In fact, I am using FED-2s and FED-3s. Given that the focusing will be fine with the Jupiter-11, is it possible to "frame" with the normal viewfinder accounting for some imaginary frame lines towards the center of the viewfinder? I suppose that this guessing would be a challenge since we're talking about a significant range of distance possibilities?

Appreciated,
- Blake

 

[Blake Werts]

Is this what would be needed to use the Jupiter-11?

 

[89rzweig]

Jupiter-11 should work fine on FED-2 and if it doesn't, then the "proverbial" Russian quality control came in... It is *very* sharp lens even wide open. Just be aware it focuses from 2.5m on, so it is not very useful indoors. I use it almost exclusively outdoors focused on infinity.

In theory you can guess the framing without a finder, but it will require a lot of trial and error attempts before you learn how to frame a picture. I think a finder is better way to go and the "turret" finder is very versatile, though I have to admit it costs as much as the Jupiter-11 lens itself. Another option could be Helios multi-finder with 35, 85, and 135 framelines. It is smaller and perfectly mates with Russian cameras with their 50mm built-in viewfinder.

 

[89rzweig]

Is this what would be needed to use the Jupiter-11?

Yes.

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Helios-Viewfi...ryZ15234QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HELIOS-multi-...7309242QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30062QQcmdZViewItem

is the other one. Of course, I have no relation to these sellers. Personally, I'd go for the "turret" or "revolver" finder, it looks cool and it has black cross lines in the view, so that you immediately know where the centre of the picture is and it really helps in getting straight the verticals and/or horizontals.

 

[Arvay]

We have this turrets in Russia at circa 1500 RUR (rate is 23.7) in shops. So I think you can find it on ebay.
If not I can try to help you here, but be advised the postal expences are quite high (circa USD 35-40 or more. You can check ar www.emspost.ru).

 

[MartinP]

[Given that the focusing will be fine with the Jupiter-11, is it possible to "frame" with the normal viewfinder accounting for some imaginary frame lines towards the center of the viewfinder?]

The benefit of the russian turret finder (based on the Contax design) is that the lenses always form a big image in the finder, with room around the actual image area also visible but shaded. This is much easier to use than the copies of the Leica version, where the area is simply cropped to leave a tiny image of what you will get on film with the 135.

In theory you could make yourself a paper, or card, cut-out to go on the front of the viewfinder window, but the multi-finder is much nicer to use due to the magnification. If you don't like it after all, then it is probably also even easier to re-sell than the camera it is sitting on !

 

[Blake Werts]

Thanks for the great information guys. I believe that I'll go with the Russian universal turret version even though it is a pricey item. Thoughts are that I'll eventually have some of the other lenses in my arsenal of gear that this finder will prove more and more valuable...

Much Appreciated!
Blake

 

[timmyd18]

i just wanted to add that if someone is ever considering a Jupiter 11 but knows they can't buy both the lens and the finder, i'd say go ahead and buy the lens anyway. j11's and turret finders cost about the same, so some users might not want to double the cost. they shouldn't miss out on this lens for want of a finder. it lets you take very different pictures. sure, the framing is a bit of surprise, but it can be a pleasant one! it's something that you can guess pretty well at, too

i've posted a few of my Jupiter 11/Fed 2 pictures if you're interested

 

[timmyd18]

one other thing blake... you've probably seen this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1468.html

and if not, there's some good advice there.

long and short, there's two LTM mount jupiter 11's out there and you need to get
the right one. if you look at current ebay auctions for jupiter 11s there are two very differerent looking lenses. the long skinny one is the one you need for your FED. the other shorter one is for an SLR and won't work with a rangefinder

 

[Blake Werts]

one other thing blake... you've probably seen this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1468.html

Actually, yes, I have read that thread and it did clear up some initial confusion when I was searching online for Jupiter-11s. I did notice that there were some differences in shape.

Thanks very much for the suggestions!
Blake