jupiter 12 on bessa 3m

[anna missed]

I've seen it said the jupiter 12 35mm russian lens will not work on the bessa cameras. However it seems to work fine on my bessa 3m and bessa t. It's a little tight when focusing to infinity, as the edge of the rear element pushes up against the curb next to the shutter -- but it does make it. And not only that, it seems to meter correctly as well. I've tried it on the bessa l and the r, but it does'nt meter (at all). I believe both the r and the l meter from the top, down upon the shutter -- while the later cameras were redesigned to meter from the bottom up, so perhaps the angle of the meter beam was also changed permitting it to meter properly with the jupiter. I only bring this up because the jupiter is a great lens, compairing well to my 40mm nocton.

 

[payasam]

All I can say is, try not to damage a good lens.

 

[anna missed]

RE my post above,
the jupiter12 will not meter accuratly unless the lens is close focused first, to take a reading. This backs the lens out of the well enough to allow the meter projection to take place. Sorry about being misleading -- it was close enough for color, and I did'nt realise it was off a bit.

 

[werf]

bessa-r2 35/2.8 jupiter-12. 1/125th at f/16.0. flash unomat b24tac. fuji neopan 1600 @ 800

bessa-r2 35/2.8 jupiter-12. 1/125th at f/16.0. flash unomat b24tac. fuji neopan 1600 @ 800

bessa-r2 35/2.8 jupiter-12. 1/125th at f/16.0. flash unomat b24tac. fuji neopan 1600 @ 800

 

[ALPSSNOW]

I wonder which kind of Jupiter 12 do you use? ( Sorry, I just cannot find the LTM lenses, but the structures are similar)

or

Do they have different rear size?

 

[werf]

it's LTM Jupiter-12 made in Lytkarino, from 1958.
it's focused only 1-5m, but i use flash and f16.0

p.s sorry my english :]

 

[QUAsit]

Jupiters-12 on the pic are J12 for Contax/Kiev mount.
screw Jupiter-12 looks like this:

Concerning compartibility of J12s with Bessas - yes, approximately 1 of 7-8 lens could be mount without hitting outer shutter curtains.
But I did not want to play such a "game", so I simply bought Ultron35 😀

Still J12 is a great lens... on my Zorki-1 😉

 

[bellyface]

I've heard the older j12's have a tad smaller protruding lens element. You might be lucky here, but having that lens so close to the shutter is very scary... I know the J12's work fine on the R-D1's, mainly cause the shutter box is a little bigger.

 

[ALPSSNOW]

Thanks for these informations. But I think I did not ask the question very well. It should be asked as this: at the rear of Jupiter 12, one has a metal protection ring, the other just has the bare optical parts, so which one has more possibility to be mounted on a Bessa camera? And what are the measure differences between them, such as the diameter and the hight of the rear parts?

 

[ALPSSNOW]

it's LTM Jupiter-12 made in Lytkarino, from 1958.
it's focused only 1-5m, but i use flash and f16.0

p.s sorry my english :]

Werf, you pictures look great 🙂

 

[anna missed]

Well, since I started this thread a little prematurely ( it seemed to work for me) I've experimented a bit more and have arrived at these conclusions.
a) The jupiter 12 will mount on all the bessa cameras.
b) The edge of the rear element of the lens will make physical contact with the shelf (just in front of the shutter) of the camera body when focused toward infinity ( or at infinity).
c) SO FAR, I see no deterioration or marks on the lens element due to this physical contact with the camera body. It rubs only the very outside edge of the element.
d)I would advise that in mounting the lens, always mount it focused close (out) as opposed to focused at infinity (in) to avoid making contact when mounting the lens. Or, never mount the lens when it is focused on infinity.
e) Because the rear element is so close to the shutter, where the meter takes its reading, the rear element blocks its view, especially when the lens is focused on infinity, and is physically closest to the shutter.
f) The meter will however become more accurate in its reading as the lens is focused close -- and physically farther away from the shutter.
g)The meter will approach an accurate, give or take a stop, reading when focused all the way out.
h)I've tried this tecnique on the bessa r3m, the t, and the r and the results are consistant.

Disclaimer: These lenses may have different physical characteristics and so may function somewhat differently in practice. All I'm saying is this works for me with my examples. These cameras and these lenses were not made for each other. The likely reason people say they are not compatable is that either the camera or the lens might become damaged from doing this, so my advise would be be well aware of the risks involved -- dont try this if the risk outweighs the potential benifit -- there are after all, lots of 35's that will work without possible complications.

For me though, the lens is a great preformer, and well worth the risk. And wish there were more non retro-focused lenses out there. Anyone tried the russian 28mm?

 

[ALPSSNOW]

Thank you anna missed for providing such a conclusion. Could you post pictures of your Jupiter 12, such as front and rear views?

 

[QUAsit]

Thanks for these informations. But I think I did not ask the question very well. It should be asked as this: at the rear of Jupiter 12, one has a metal protection ring, the other just has the bare optical parts, so which one has more possibility to be mounted on a Bessa camera? And what are the measure differences between them, such as the diameter and the hight of the rear parts?

Metal ring on the rear lens is sign (in most cases) that this particular J12 was made on KMZ in late 50s and early 60s. J12 made in LZOS (Litkaryno... Lytkarino... #$@@#!!! I cannot write this in English properly, though from Russia I am 😀 )

Anna wrote a big and comprehensive conslusion, but still - not all J12 will not hit outer shutter when set on infinity. Only late LZOS lens are ok in this, BUT! You will spent a bit time when choosing a good sample. I saw awlful black J12 - they`re complete sucks.

 

[brachal]

For me though, the lens is a great preformer, and well worth the risk. And wish there were more non retro-focused lenses out there. Anyone tried the russian 28mm?

I like the J12 a lot -- on my Kiev. I'd still be too worried about hurting the lens or my shutter putting a 12 on my Bessa. The CV 35mm f/2.8 Color Skopar is, in my opinion, a better lens all around, and it's not too expensive.

I had a chance to use the 28mm Orion-15 for a couple of days in Prague last year on my Bessa. Nice images, but slow, slow, slow -- f/6, and I found changing the aperture to be a real challenge because of my large fingers.