J12 fit on FED2?

[fidget]

I've recently received a black LTM J12, it's in mint condition with a "firm" focus. I've tried a few test shots on my Fed3b but when I came to fit it to my FED2c, I found that it wouldn't fit. It seems that the little foot on the RF lever, which rides on the cam of the lens, is a litte too close to the centre of the lens aperture. Trying to fit the J12 results in this lever fouling with the rear glass of the lens. Anyone else experience this? I'm thinking of bending the lever out of the way, but wanted to ask here before I apply this remedy on my mint blue2.
(Come to think of it, maybe bending is too rough for this beautiful camera, perhaps I should stick to 50mm lenses and try my other FED2 (awaiting CLA).) What do you think?

 

[FrankS]

That occurred with me too. I very carefully lifted up on the focussing cam follower inside the camera in order for it to just clear the large rear element.

 

[flashover]

I had a J12 mounted on my fed2 (b I think) no problems

 

[Jocko]

I have this problem on one FED 2, but not on another. The lens can be screwed in, with much difficulty, but the rangefinder no longer works and focussing is very stiff. I use this camera with a J- 8 (which is fine) and keep the J-12 on the other. I assumed this was unique quirk as the misaligned camera was CLA'd by Oleg and specifically adjusted for the J-8, so it's interesting to hear that others have this trouble.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I have tried a J12 on 5 Fed 2's. It worked correctly on all but one very early one.

Kim

 

[w3rk5]

Yikes! I just bought a 1958 J-12 and I was gonna put it on my FED 2b. I hope it'll fit on mine. I guess I'll let you guys know within a week or two. If mine doesn't fit properly, I'll probably do what FrankS suggested. Good luck on yours fidget.

 

[Nickfed]

I found that it wouldn't fit. It seems that the little foot on the RF lever, which rides on the cam of the lens, is a litte too close to the centre of the lens aperture. Trying to fit the J12 results in this lever fouling with the rear glass of the lens. QUOTE]

It would seem that the rangefinder follower arm is bent. I suspect this is a common problem. It is the only part of the camera mechanism that is actually exposed to abuse and is indeed exposed every time a lens is changed. At least with the FED-2 you can check on what is going on by removing the back and opening the shutter on B. You may well find that the follower only just engages on the original lens.

The solution is to bend it back to where it is supposed to be. About one degree is all that is needed at most. Just bend up, don't twist.

You may find you can do this in situ but I think it is easier and certainly safer to remove the camera body. This is simple enuff to be described as routine maintenance. Here is the info:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-101.html
Don't forget to clean the big shutter gears while you have the opportunity.....

 

[santino]

I had a J12 mounted on my fed2 (b I think) no problems

same here, fed 2 (B) it was.

 

[fidget]

It would seem that the rangefinder follower arm is bent. I suspect this is a common problem. It is the only part of the camera mechanism that is actually exposed to abuse and is indeed exposed every time a lens is changed.
The solution is to bend it back to where it is supposed to be. About one degree is all that is needed at most. Just bend up, don't twist.

I think that you are right, Nickfed. If the lever fouls on the glass of the J12 then it must be on the edge of the lens cam. I guess that my other lenses appear to fit because they there is no obstruction for the lever to foul on the inside of the lens cam, whereas the J12 is full of glass. I will look again when I have run the film out, perhaps a judicious tweek is in order.
Thanks for all your comments.

 

[maddoc]

Just found this very old thread on RFF, very helpful information. I received a Fed3b last night, rangefinder was totally off and my J-12 (which fits fine on my M Leicas) seems to hit the Fed3b cam-follower when mounting the lens. Focus gets very stiff and RF focus is way off. I will try to slightly bent the cam follower arm a little bit upwards ... hopefully it cures the problem. 🙂

 

[gb hill]

Indeed an oldie. Yes I read that adjusting the focus arm a bit will fix the problem. I think Frank has the best idea. just don't bend it out of wack.

 

[02Pilot]

Yep, the J12 I got recently had the same problem on my FED-2. Bending the RF arm up very slightly solved it. Just go progressively and keep checking with each attempted adjustment.

FWIW, I also dressed the bottom edge of the cam follower, which was a little rough. I am very accustomed to working with small, fine metal parts, but if you are not you may not want to undertake this procedure. If you do, be sure to clean any dust and filings from inside the camera body afterwards.

 

[maddoc]

I worked a little on my Fed3b last night ... problem number one was that the small pin limiting the travel of the cam-follower arm was indeed to long and hit the rear element of my J12 (at the fringe only and since that pin is quite flexible it was slightly bent away by the element) ... Problem number two was that the cam follower arm was not completely fixed but quite loose attached to the RF mechanism ... I removed the arm, then filed about one millimeter of the pin to make space for the J12 and then reinstalled the cam follower arm and adjusted focus roughly. Infinity seems to be OK (according to the RF image) but close-focus is still a little off.

One thing though .. when attempting to fix the cam follower arm with the little screw and applying to much torque then the arm won`t move anymore, meaning that the screw has to be a little "loose" to free the RF mechanism. Is that normal ? I found two oversized washers under the arm, do they belong there ?