how to mount a j-12 on kiev4

[Brad Bireley]

I just received a very nice kiev 4 with a j-12. How do you mount it on the kiev 4?
The helios 103 & j-8 are easy to mount but I'm having trouble with the j-12 & j-11
Thanks in advance,
Brad

 

[arothaus]

Hi Brad,

just get sure that the lens is set to infinity and mind the red points. Then turn it counterclockwise and it will lock. Sometimes the clip won't snap in correct, but this won't be a big problem.

Andreas

 

[Brad Bireley]

Thanks Andreas! I got it!
Isn't the internet great? In less then 20 minutes I got an answer to my problem from around the world!

 

[wotalegend]

I have found that it assists the mounting of outer bayonet lenses if I press down on the infinity lock release lever just behind the focus wheel on top of the body. This raises the little knob which protrudes from the body about 1cm above the red dot.

My only Kiev lens mounting problem is a J-3 (inner bayonet) which I just received today. It is a 1955 build and it seems to need a lot of jiggling and joggling to get it fully in the mount and then to turn. My two working bodies are 1960 and 1972 build which have no problem with the J-8's which came with them.

 

[arothaus]

My only Kiev lens mounting problem is a J-3 (inner bayonet) which I just received today. It is a 1955 build and it seems to need a lot of jiggling and joggling to get it fully in the mount and then to turn. My two working bodies are 1960 and 1972 build which have no problem with the J-8's which came with them.

Maybe this will help:
http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/loose inner lens mount.html

Gruss,
Andreas

 

[wotalegend]

Yes, I tried that fix already (actually the opposite because mine is tight, not loose) but it doesn't seem to make much difference. But thanks for the suggestion anyway.

 

[dll927]

The Leica screw mount seems to have been rather particular about just how you mounted lenses. In some cases the lens has to be set to close focus or it won't go on. Certainly that's true of most Zorkis.

The real problem is that this is 2006, not 1930. Back then, they probably thought such foibles were minor and had no problem living with them. Today we think everything has to fit together without any adjustments. Cartier-Bresson, where are you??

 

[Xmas]

J12 interchangibility tolerances

J12 interchangibility tolerances

Daniel

I believe the J12 problem can be addressed in some cases.

If the J12 baynets on to the camera but the focus is stiff or jams then two things can be attempted:

- file the lens rangefinder coupling
- adjust the lens for the camera

Filing the coupling is rather extreme and needs some medium to be painted on the rfdr coupling mechanism, the lens mounted, focused, removed and the painted medium examined to see which bits have been in contact and a file used...

The adjustement requires the outer focusing ring to be removed (two or three grub screws to slacken) and the next ring to be slackened (more grub screws). The lens then mounted on the camera and focused, and the inner grubs tightened in situ to 'calibrate' the J12 coupling for your camera.

I believe there is better (more reliable) information on the process in one of the how to CLA a J12 posts, somewhere on this forum.

I can not recommend the file technique, but I note that really early J12s e.g. 51xxxxx have reduced coupling pins, - the two smaller sectors are triangular (!) rather then rectangular, to act as pilots for the larger sector.

If you make unhappy noises someone who has done this will help.

One of my J12 does not fit on my user Kievs...

Noel