Do I need a VF for my 35mm 2.8 1959 JUPITER-12 2,8/35 LENS?

[Expatinprogress]

Hi guys,

I just bought my Epson RD-1 (after looking for it for long time) and I have a 35mm 2.8 1959 JUPITER-12 2,8/35 LENS FOR Kiev CONTAX.

With the Epson Crop Factor 1.5*12=18mm, do I really need a Viewfinder? If so, which one would be the best?

I've seen in CameraQuest a few VF for 15mm lenses and higher, but I don't see any with those characteristics.

Any advise?

 

[Paul T.]

There's a user-selectable 35mmm frameline on the Epson, so you use the normal viewfinder. The FOV is around the same as a 50mm lens (35mm x 1.5)

 

[Carlos Cruz]

BTW You don't want to use it on epson. Back element of the lens doesn't work on most bessa cameras it's either unfocusable beyond ±4m or can ruin your camera/epson is built like bessa with double shutter curtains/ you can destroy your camera with this lens.

 

[payasam]

Carlos is probably right, Expat. The J-12 has an enormous rear element which can damage camera internals while being itself ruined.

 

[bellyface]

the J12 works fine on an epson. Just not on bessas. I know, I've owned 2, one from 1980 & 1959. The older one shot better on the epson. The focus was a little sharper.

If you have one for contax/kiev mount, it will NOT work on the epson though. Unless you have the right adapter.

 

[Ezzie]

Carlos is probably right, Expat. The J-12 has an enormous rear element which can damage camera internals while being itself ruined.

Well Rich Cutler would seem to disagree, the J-12 should work: http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_11.htm



Note that the frame lines on the R-D1 are listed as the actual focal length of the lens, not the resulting field of view, which is 1.5 times that. If however you need an external finder, you need to multiply the focal length with the crop factor, unless the finder is designed for the Epson or other APS-C sensor camera.

 

[Yves]

You wrote that the J12 mount is "FOR Kiev CONTAX." so it will not fit the R-D1. You will need a J12 with LTM mount + an LTM (M39) to M adapter.
And the J12 focal length is 35mm,not 12 - the R-D1 has a 35mm frame.
I own an J12 and it fits the R-D1, but I rarely used it.
Exposure metering is impaired, more towards infinite focus, about one stop.

 

[Expatinprogress]

the J12 works fine on an epson. Just not on bessas. I know, I've owned 2, one from 1980 & 1959. The older one shot better on the epson. The focus was a little sharper.

If you have one for contax/kiev mount, it will NOT work on the epson though. Unless you have the right adapter.

I think I have found the adapter:

http://dvdtechcameras.com/other/adapter/29/29.htm

BUT, I don't understand very well this part: *This adapter not allow for coupling with the camera's rangefinder for focusing. (focusing only on distances specified on a lens).

The other two lenses coming with the camera are:
*50mm 3.5 1953 RUSSIAN ELMAR COPY INDUSTAR-22 3,5/50 M39 LTM LENS Panckae style
*50mm 2.8 RUSSIAN INDUSTAR-61 L/D BLACK LENS FOR LEICA, FED ZORKI

I don't know them at all. But I was thinking on buying a 15mm or a 21mm. Which do you recommend guys? Low price is important right now

 

[Paul T.]

Oops, sorry, didn't notice you had the Contax Jupiter 12. It's not worth buying an adapter for that lens; the adapter is around $150-200, more than the cost of the LTM version of the Jupiter; better still, you could probably buy a Voigtlander 35/2.5 lens for $250, or a 40mm Rokkor lens, which works well with those 35mm framelines, for $250-300.

For a wide angle lens, I think on the Epson that the 21mm Voigtlander vignettes and the 15mm is better, but it's more which Field of View you prefer.

ONly my opinion, but I would get one decent lens, like a Viogtlander 35mm, or the ROkko 40mm, and stick with that for a few months until you get realy familiar with the camera and decidde what other focal lenghts you fancy. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy investigating all the options. (And your website looks intriguing, by the way).

 

[Expatinprogress]

Thank yo Paul,

I think you are right. It will be better starting wiht a good lens and change whenever I know the camera.

Let's see those 35mm...

Cheers