oscroft
Veteran
Hi all. Do you think £46.50 (inc p&p) is a good price for a J-3 (50/1.5) in very clean condition? (I'm tempted, seeing as FSU sellers usually want anywhere between £50 and £70 plus p&p for them).
Opinions welcomed, thanks.
Opinions welcomed, thanks.
raid
Dad Photographer
Alan: Most importantly with a J-3 is the correct shimming for correct focusing. I find the cost of 46.50 Pounds too high without a guarantee that the lens focuses appropriately.
SteveM(PA)
Poser
I bought one today for $89, a black 1983, said to be exc+, but it's a total crapshoot, I know...very excited about it anyway : )
Just curious, who has gotten one fresh from the motherland and didn't need to have it shimmed, sweenified, etc.?
Just curious, who has gotten one fresh from the motherland and didn't need to have it shimmed, sweenified, etc.?
oscroft
Veteran
This one's a silver 1960 model (60... serial number), if that makes any difference regarding quality control?
rolleistef
Well-known
not really... is it a kiev or ltm mount? Kiev mounts are said to be *sometimes* more reliable but you're very lucky when you don get a good lens...
W
wlewisiii
Guest
This issue has nothing to do with QC. It has to do with the FSU using the Contax registration distance instead of the Leica distance. A good explanation is here: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/compat.html
As Raid said, that's way too much without a guarantee unless you plan to use it only on a Fed or a Zorki. Even then it's higher than I'd be willing to pay.
Good luck!
William
As Raid said, that's way too much without a guarantee unless you plan to use it only on a Fed or a Zorki. Even then it's higher than I'd be willing to pay.
Good luck!
William
oscroft
Veteran
Ah, understood, thanks.
I would only be wanting it for use on FED and Zorki bodies (yes, it's LTM - sorry, I should have said). But that's two respected opinions telling me it's too expensive, so I think I'll give it a miss at that price - thanks guys.
FrankS
Registered User
If you get a J3 that works for you, it's a great lens and worth that price. See if you can get a trial/inspection period of 1 week to test it.
w3rk5
Well-known
I've got a 1962 J-3 (silver one) that only needed to be cleaned and relubed. I think I paid $40 US total for mine. I guess it was because it wasn't cosmeticly mint. Anyway, it's my favorite lens. Almost forgot.......it's a LTM.langdon auger said:
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raid
Dad Photographer
I bought my sharp J-3 directly from Brian Sweeney. I asked him ahead to find a good lens for me. He got me one that cosmetically looks like &^%$#, but he adjusted the shimming and it held its place against 11 other LTM 50mm lenses. Mine is a better one according to Brian, made for military applications.
brachal
Refrigerated User
I recently paid $120 for a near mint '61 ltm J-3 from fedka. Maybe a little high, but I think its performance justifies the price.
V
varjag
Guest
I won mine (1953, Contax mount) for ~$53 with shipping.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
As a point of reference, I paid $72 for mine but did consider that high at the time. I got it adjusted (evidence here 
: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/6287/661537-R1-008-2A.jpg
Mr. Sweeney did the work on that lens and it was a very real selling point later.
The J-9 is exquisite - as long as you _know_ it works... But there is so much that can go wrong...
William
: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/6287/661537-R1-008-2A.jpgMr. Sweeney did the work on that lens and it was a very real selling point later.
The J-9 is exquisite - as long as you _know_ it works... But there is so much that can go wrong...
William
lubitel
Well-known
I also paid 75 dollars, but it is in really good condition and focuses perfectly on Bessa R. So I have no regrets - its one of my favourite lenses.