Jupiter 12 Contax - M39 conversion

[greywind]

Hi

I have a Jupiter-12 Contax bayonnet lens but I'd like to put it on my Fed-3.

Is there any way to convert the lens or is there an attachment available?

Thanks for any help

GW

 

[Classique]

You can try using Amadeo contax to leica ltm adapter or something similar. However, mine did not work (wouldn't mount) so keep that in mind.

I would think it would be cheaper in the long run just to buy one in ltm mount. That is what I ended up doing and I am pretty satisfied.

 

[greywind]

You can try using Amadeo contax to leica ltm adapter or something similar. However, mine did not work (wouldn't mount) so keep that in mind.

I would think it would be cheaper in the long run just to buy one in ltm mount. That is what I ended up doing and I am pretty satisfied.

Thanks for the info 🙂

 

[rfaspen]

Yeah, the LTM versions are more expensive than the Contax/Kiev versions. That's because they're more desirable and useful. Prices have shot up over the last 3 years and the LTM J-12s are going for 80-100 USD nowadays. Used to be 50 or less. Still worth the asking price if you can make sure its a good one. Try hard to get one from an RFFer iif you can. Fedka will not sell you a bad one either, but his prices reflect his commitment to that. E*bayy is a gamble that only you can assess. Its very possible to get an excellent lens there, just as likely to get a total loser. Just so you have a reference, the Amadeo adapter (which usually works superbly and flawlessly) is about $275 USD. The LTM version of J-12 looks like a better option for most people.

 

[greywind]

I'm new here but I'll look at any sale sub-forum. But I think I'll stick to the industar lens that the camera came with for the time being.

I'm new to range finders and photography in general, so I'm thankful for the help

 

[fer_fdi]

Hi all, I see there is another adapter, much much simpler (see eFly seller "cardany_chan")
Would it work to adapt a J-12 to M succesfully?

 

[pb908]

i have tried adapt J12 kiev in Amadeo adapter, somehow it doesn't work, there is some area which hit the roller of rangefinder arm at certain focus position.
it can be done if some part in the back of J12 (like collar, with spring) removed.
but as mentioned above, it is worthier to get J12 in LTM rather try to adapt with contax to LTM adapter

 

[fer_fdi]

I was thinking about adapting it with the cheaper adapter, not the $250 one,
hoping that the Contax version would end with the bottom glass farther from the film or sensor than the LTM version...
AFAIK register distance in Contax rangefinder is larger than in Leica (34.85 vs 28.8)


.

 

[mburns]

A good adapter does not change the clearance to the film.

A good adapter does not change the clearance to the film.

Fer Fdi,

An adapter to the M mount is not the same as an adapter to Contax. Neither should change the clearance from a lens to the film.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The registration is longer because the mount is thicker. This doesn't change the fact that the J-12 is exactly the same lens regardless of the mount.
To stick it in an Amedeo adapter, very delicate yet not minor surgery has to be done to the spring loaded helicoid engagement collar. I made this work on my M9, only because I had the lens and I had the adapter. Really, it's better to get the proper lens for the job.
As for the cheaper adapter, you may be able to mount it fine but you will not get any kind of focus aid in the viewfinder. These adapters are made by cutting up old Kievs and registering them for LTM. Some of the QC is bad enough you may never get infinity focus either.

Phil Forrest

 

[fer_fdi]

Thank you both.

I was just dreaming I could use it on a Fuji that way...

 

[Scrambler]

Contrary to popular opinion there are a lot of slightly different variants of the J-12 using different glass and therefore slightly different depths. You may want to compare different samples before buying if you have a marginal fit. For example, my example (purchased on ebay before I knew any better) fits perfectly well on my Bessa-R while the majority do not. I do not think you will find an adapter to mount one to a digital camera other than a Leica M.

Your other option is to get a Kiev body, which means that you can also get your J-3 and J-9 lenses cheap and with the correct lens register and focusing.

 

[fer_fdi]

I think those small length variations won't make it fit a Fuji as is anyway...

thank you

 

[Zorkiiglaza]

I think the best comment was made awhile back. Just buy one made for the camera and start shooting film and stop dreaming. Life is too short!