Jupiter 12 not fitting

[Tom hicks]

Hi everyone I don't post to much but I do follow a lot of what goes on . I'm new to Contax . I purchased a Contax IIa , Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm, Like new Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50 1.5 T . Before I found the lens's above I purchased the following l.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250451197404

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250331470892

The Jupiter 12 does not fit , as you can see in one photo the silver ring is cocked , I loosened the screws and got it straight , but still it won't go . I don't want to force it . my 135 goes on like butter. the J 8 fits fine . any ideas?

Thanks Tom

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I don't think the J12 will mount on the post war Contax. It's a pre-war design.

 

[colyn]

The J-12 is a pre-war design and will not work with the post war Contax IIa.. I have however heard of a few people modifiying one to fit..

 

[Tom hicks]

Thanks Pickett that crossed my mind but I really don't know enough about them. It almost feels like it's hitting something inside . I know that the IIa is smaller in size. I'm sure you are right. well I have one for sale I guess, is their an adapter aval. that will take it to M42 thread?

 

[Tom hicks]

Thanks Colyn , simple enough. It looks like we are neighbors.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

It's that protruding rear element that will get you into trouble. There are adapters, but they are pricey. Someone else can probably tell you more about the adapters. I had a Contax IIa and believe I remember running into the same problem you are having with the J12.

The Contax IIa is a great camera. The finder just doesn't work with my glasses is the only reason I let mine go.

 

[colyn]

Thanks Colyn , simple enough. It looks like we are neighbors.

I'm on the far West side just off IH30W and West loop 820..

 

[colyn]

The Contax IIa is a great camera. The finder just doesn't work with my glasses is the only reason I let mine go.

That it is..

I prefer the finder of the pre-war Contax I which also if I recall has a wider rangefinder base length..

 

[Tom hicks]

Plano, Hang out here mostly http://www.fredmiranda.com/ Created the macro forum 6 yrs ago and they made me a Mod.
If you would like to shot some Tigers I have private access you can find a sticky thread here. http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[colyn]

I've seen your post over at Texas Photoforum..

Years ago while in Kenya I had the chance to photograph some wildlife up close. I was a lot of fun doing it and may sign up for one of your tiger shoots when I get a chance..

 

[Tom hicks]

Thanks again for the help, Colyn just let me know.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Hi Tom,

Congrats, that looks like a beautiful IIa you got there.

Like you, I got mine thinking that I could mount an inexpensive J-12 but no such luck.

The IIa and IIIa were designed from scratch after the war in West Germany because all the pre-war stuff was either destroyed (including the blueprints) or in Russian hands. Only the bayonet mount remained the same. While they were at it, they made the camera smaller. Knowing full well that one of the pre-war lenses wouldn't fit the smaller body, so they redesigned that lens, too.

You guessed it. That lens is the Biogon 35, and the J-12 is its FSU clone. What that means is that wide angle choices for IIa and IIIa begin at about $200 for the Nikkor 35/3.5.

Ah well. I still love the IIa. They got everything right with that one. Too bad they decided to fold when Leica upped the ante with the M.

Have fun with your 50s and 135. Works for me.

 

[johank]

The shutter blinds in dural are thicker than the prewar in brass. For other reasons the darkroom was made narrower too. The PW Biogon 35/2,8 in not only a redesign but also a diffrent lens than the PreW version. Other lenses work fine.