J12 convert

[Nikon Bob]

Just tried out a roll with my newly arrived black J12 (1990) in Kiev mount. I have to say that I can find very little to complain about. Very good value for the dollar spent.

Bob

 

[OldNick]

I have a black J12 from 1987 in LTM mount and agree with you that it is a very good lens.

Jim N.

 

[stephen_lumsden]

Its a good one all right, the main reason why I am gettinga Contax II rather than IIa from HS.

rgds

Stephen

 

[ZorkiKat]

I have J-12s in both LTM and CBM versions. I like them all. The CBMs are still inexpensive compared to the LTMs due to higher demand: a lot of LTM camera users have discovered and J-12 and like them too! 🙂 Well, maybe not, perhaps it's just because LTM J-12 can fit more cameras than the CBM J-12. The latter will only go on prewar Contax, Kiev, and Nikon.

A black J-12 is now the 'normal' lens on my R-D1s.

Jay

 

[Nikon Bob]

Stephen

Bought my Kiev 4 to have something to use till my Contax II and lens gets back from HS. Now all I need is an 85 Jupiter and a varifocal finder. I never was much for the Bokeh thing but I did notice that the J12 used wide open and close up is very pleasing and that could be because the OOF areas seem to be smooth, not jarring.

Bob

 

[Alexander]

quick question please...is there a way to date the J-12 i.e. serial numbers

Thanks...a

 

[TVphotog]

I have to add my new found love for the J12 here as well. Once you learn the quircks(flare prone) it is a great and beautiful lens. Here is just a couple examples

Z3 with a J12 on kodak black and white 'cheater' film

Z3 with J12 on kodak black and white 'cheater' film

Just gotta get my Z3 back together...:bang:

 

[reagan]

quick question please...is there a way to date the J-12 i.e. serial numbers.

Hey Alexander,
To my knowledge, the LTM J.12s date by first two numerals of serial number, --> #5201944 is 1952 vintage. Not sure about the CBMs... anybody?

 

[tedwhite]

Will a J12 in Contax mount fit on my Kiev 4AM?

 

[Nikon Bob]

Will a J12 in Contax mount fit on my Kiev 4AM?

As far as I know they are the same thing, at least I hope so for when my Contax II returns.

Bob

 

[back alley]

so a j12 will not fit a contax lla?

joe

 

[tedwhite]

Hey, Joe, did I read recently amongst these hallowed pages something about an rff get-together in GTA (I have subsequently learned from, I believe, Jan Normandale, that "GTA" means "Greater Toronto Area" and not "Grand Theft Auto" as I had originally surmised).

Anyway, when and where and maybe I can jump-start the Passat and meet all of you wonderful folks.

Ted

 

[back alley]

ted, take a look in the regional section, canadian rff club and there is a sticky about it all. may long weekend, the ?/19/20/?

gonna be fun.

joe

 

[Alexander]

So if my s/n is N9009135 it was likely made in 1990, yes?

What are you guys using for front and rear lens caps? I have neither and need suggestions.

Thanks for the info!!...a

BTW I mistakenly bought a rear lens cap for the LTM J-12, if anyone wants it for free its yours, just pay actual shipping cost...a

 

[OldNick]

BTW I mistakenly bought a rear lens cap for the LTM J-12, if anyone wants it for free its yours, just pay actual shipping cost...a

Watch out what you give away. The caps for the LTM J-12 are probably worth as much as the lens. I paid Yuri at Fedka a premium to get the full set of caps and plastic case when I bought my J-12.

Jim N.

 

[OldNick]

So if my s/n is N9009135 it was likely made in 1990, yes?

Yes, that is correct.

Jim N.

 

[darkkavenger]

AFAIK a bayonet-mount J-12 will not mount a Contax-IIa / Contax-IIIa, but will mount any pre-war Contax and any Kiev. If you want to protect your lens, try getting a 40.5mm screw mount UV filter, and also try getting a hood, this might be helpful not only against flare, but also it will help you when focusing the lens... and most important of all : it will decrease the "finger ghosts" on your negatives, if you focus the lens using the barrel instead of the little knob.

Cheers,
Max

 

[ZorkiKat]

Kodak film canisters are a good sub for the rear cap. The rear elements will fit in the canister.

My 1961 CBM J-12 has a metal collar on the exposed rear elements. My 1990
CBM J-12 is exposed just like the LTM J12. I think the LTM versions always had their rears exposed because the metal protective collar would get in the way f the RF coupling cam on the lens.

 

[ZorkiKat]

so a j12 will not fit a contax lla?

joe

No Joe, the CBM J-12 won't go on a postwar Contax IIa/IIIa. Same could be said of the prewar CZ Biogon for the Contax II/III.

Years ago, I bought my first J-12 with the intent of fitting it on my Contax IIa. Found that it wouldn't because the IIa/IIIa had a 'lump' in their throats (covering the lower part of the shutter roller) which prevented the J-12's large protruding rear from getting in fully. So rather than have an 'orphaned' lens on hand, I got a few Kiev RF for it instead 😛 ...

Jay

 

[Xmas]

Jay

(Some) Ilford cassette canisters have an inner lip which will positively clip on to the ridge of the metal barrels at the rear of early J12, to make a really good cap you can saw off the cassette canister and terminate it with one of your paper mache improvisions, for a really effective cap.

Noel