Jupiter 8 adjustment

[wilt]

I once had a Fed + J8 combo I liked. Then I went Leica. Am very fond of the M3 + Summicron 50. Sometimes, however, I'd like to shoot with the J8 on my Leica. And they do not really fit well together.

I've found several web pages explaining various theories of why (some, at least) Jupiters don't focus properly close up and wide open on Leicas. In my case, having photographed a ruler at 1 m, the focus error was a couple of inches.

I've seen some comments here about it being possible to adjust a J8 to a Leica. Has anyone here done that? How is it done? Is it possible for someone with low mechanical skills to do it? Is there a mechanic somewhere that does it?

Another alternative would be to get a "western" lens that gives the nice and quite un-Summicron look I'm after but with a better focus calibration than the J8. What would that be? Suggestions welcome, I have no personal experience at all with 50 mm Canons, Nikkors, Sonnars, Elmars.

Thanks in advance,

/Gustav

 

[zuikologist]

Brian - what kind of material do you use for the shim. Would thick card or several sheets of paper work?

 

[wilt]

Brian - thanks for the information! You also made me interested in the J3. As some here use to say, one can hardly get too many 50's!

 

[zuikologist]

Good work for the winter days. Do you maximise focusing accuracy at the shortest focusing distance or at infinity (or somewhere between)?

 

[wilt]

Brian: sounds really interesting (both the copper wire trick, and you adjusting and selling J3's here)!

 

[zuikologist]

Brian - thank you for all of the information. Good luck with the J3's. I'll try something similar with my J8 and copper wire.

 

[wilt]

zuikologist: looking forward to hear about your attempt with the J8.