Jupiter-12 lens fit- Leica M3

[Incroyable]

Hello,

I have a Leica M3, and was wondering if the Soviet Jupiter-12 lens would mount onto the camera without any problems.

Also I am under the impression that the earlier chrome models from the 50's are of a better quality/control than later black ones?

Thank you.

 

[kiev4a]

The Jupiter 12 would mount on the M3 if you have a LTM to M adapter. There is a continuing debate over whether the white of black lenses are best. I have one of both and would probably give the nod to the black lens -- although it's possible I have a bad white lens.

 

[denishr]

Same as above - I have chrome in LTM for Leica/FED, and a black one for Kiev (in Kiev/Contax mount).
My black sample is better.... But take that with a grain of salt - may be just our particular samples.
Since the quality control is an issue with Russian gear, it all depends on the particular lens you have.
If you're buying one for your Leica, make sure you get one in Zorki/FED mount (i.e.screw-mount), and NOT the one with Kiev/Contax mount, since that one won't go onto your camera.
As "kiev4a" said, you'll also need a LTM to M mount adapter...

Denis

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I think the only caveat with that lens is if your Leica body had a meter. Probably won't fit in the M5 (it may block the meter, which comes in a swinging arm), and, given the depth of the rear element, I wouldn't think it'd work with the M6 and subsequent models because it'd block the white dot... or even touch the shutter curtains.

But yes, it seems it'll do fine with the M3.

 

[FrankS]

You will need an external finder since the M3 does not have internal framelines for 35mm.

 

[lkgroup]

I just tried the J-12 on my M6 TTl (with an adapter) and the lens fit fine and the meter seemed to adjust correctly. I haven't taken any pictures with this combination but I will and report.

Leo

 

[cornelius]

If you have an adapter then you will be able to mount it. As for quality - the quality control was better for chrome lenses - no doubt about that, but they are also older. Just make sure that you have a return option when you buy the lense. Another consideration - lense coating. I think they started to do coating only in later years (well, in 1962 the lense was already coated for sure) which might not be the case for the early "chrome" lenses.

 

[kiev4a]

Virtually all the Jupiter 12s would be coated -- except a few made for the prewar FEDs -- and those would probably be easy to spot because they would want more for them as collector's items -- they also would have a slightly different thread pitch -- not standard LTM.

 

[kiev4a]

I just tried the J-12 on my M6 TTl (with an adapter) and the lens fit fine and the meter seemed to adjust correctly. I haven't taken any pictures with this combination but I will and report.

Leo

It's my understanding the J-12 won't fit the M6 because of the meter but I've never tried it because I don't have an M6! 😛

 

[Incroyable]

Yes, I own a Leica screwt o M mount adapter already so that is not a problem. And I also already use a VIOOH viewfinder since I am more used to composing with an external viewfinder rather than the camera finder.

It seems that people are finding the black body lenses better. But then as mentioned it is a qality control issue, presumably. Batches, and such.

 

[RML]

I didn't even know there was a black body J12. Learnt something today. 🙂

The J12 will fit the M3, and if you have an M2 you don't even need an external finder. Guess what I have? 😛