Kiev Jupiter 12 35 leica m3

[mexipike]

Hi all I just joined the forum, seems like a great place. I just bought a kiev jupiter 12 35mm f 2.8 off of ebay. I know that it can be used with the leica m3 as I have seen it reviewed as an alternative m lens on various sizes although I hear the rear element comes very close to hitting the shutter. My question is, what kind of adapter do I need to attach it to my m3. Also any and all experience using this lens with an m would be interesting and much apreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ash]

I think you want the J-12 for LTM, then use an LTM-M adapter... the kiev is a dodgy mount to convert

 

[colyn]

Welcome..
If the lens is Kiev/Contax mount it won't fit the Leica.
In order to use a Jupiter lens on the Leica it has to be screwmout and to fit the M-series you will need the screw to M adapter.
The rear element will clear the curtain on either the screw Leicas and M Leicas.

 

[physiognomy]

... My question is, what kind of adapter do I need to attach it to my m3. Also any and all experience using this lens with an m would be interesting and much apreciated. Thanks.

Hi & welcome to RFF!!!

If your J-12 is in Contax/Kiev mount then you are going to have to find an adapter like this one. There are others out there that couple to the rangefinder, but it looks like this would do the job...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-Biogon-2...9QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30063QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They seem to be pretty pricey & I wouldn't bother unless you have other nice zeiss glass in Contax mount. If your J-12 is a ltm lens, then things will be much easier for you... here is a link to the adapter you will need:

http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

They can be found elsewhere, but I have heard of people having problems with cheaper ones from ebay. Others with personal experience might like to comment.

Peter

 

[colyn]

If your J-12 is in Contax/Kiev mount then you are going to have to find an adapter like this one. There are others out there that couple to the rangefinder, but it looks like this would do the job...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-Biogon-2...9QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30063QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They seem to be pretty pricey & I wouldn't bother unless you have other nice zeiss glass in Contax mount.

This one looks homemade so I'd be afraid to pay that amount of money but I've seen some nice ones that even allow for rangefinder focusing even to infinity. But all I've seen are a bit high in price for what you are getting.

If your J-12 is a ltm lens, then things will be much easier for you... here is a link to the adapter you will need:

http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

They can be found elsewhere, but I have heard of people having problems with cheaper ones from ebay. Others with personal experience might like to comment.

Peter

The ones made in China don't always bring up the right frames in the viewfinder which is why I only buy the originals or Voigtlander versions which are made to original Leitz specs.

 

[mexipike]

Well I'm pretty sure my lens is a contax mount, it hasn't arrived yet, but judging by the description it probably is. Oh well, it cost me 10 bucks so I don't think I'll be purchasing an adapter. Has any one seen any cheap ltm jupiters out there, or any other decent 35mm lenses that i can put on an m? Thanks a lot for your help and links.

 

[wyk_penguin]

This adapter allows for focussing, but it is sure pricey. http://cgi.ebay.com/...ViewItem

I have seen something similar made by a Hong Kong seller. He makes it by disecting poor Kievs.

 

[clintock]

If your j-12 turns out to be a kiev mount, just buy a kiev to put behind it, for the price of a good ltm to M adaptor, you can get a kiev with a J-8.. fun combo.

If you paid 10 dollars for the j-12 it's gotta be a kiev mount, the LTM ones go for more like 40 or 50. I have one of those cheap LTM to M adaptors, it works ok except the dot for the lens that is supposed to be straight up when you look down at the camera is off about ten degrees.. Looks as if the lens is not screwed all the way in, when it is. _Works just fine tho- infinity is right and all that.
I'm gonna buy another cheap one to see if the guys got it right by now...

With the m3 not having a 35mm frame anyway, you may want to get a 50mm adaptor instead, so you can try all the many 50mm ltm lenses by the former soviets and cosina etc..

 

[rolleistef]

10 bucks for a Kiev-mount J12? How comes that their are so inexpensive?

 

[xayraa33]

sell the Kiev mount J-12 and buy an LTM J-12.
that would be my solution.

 

[vanyagor]

10 bucks for a Kiev-mount J12? How comes that their are so inexpensive?

One of the reasons might be that demand for them is not as high as on LTM versions.

 

[iñaki]

Now you have a good reason to buy a nice Kiev

 

[Ash]

Yea I'd say scrap buying a Leica M, or the LTM version of the lens... Just buy yourself a nice Kiev and be done with it 😀

 

[FrankS]

I've got a Kiev 4a with J8 for you.

 

[Ash]

So the *bay Contax is working then? 😀

 

[Xmas]

Supply and demand controls the $.

The J12 is a good lens for 30-50£ compared with Voig/Leitz for rather more.

Noel

 

[mexipike]

Thanks all unfortunately my M3 just got ripped off, although it may come back to me, I doubt it, so I guess maybe I'll just have to buy a Kiev for to go with my lens. How well do Kiev's shoot, and what's the best model, for actually taken pictures.

 

[rolleistef]

Hi Mexipike,
so sorry for your Leica, I'm sure you'll get it back in a way or another - how could you be deprived of something you like and need?
The best user Kiev could be the IIa, or an early 4a, both without lightmeter. Well, they aren't better than other models, but you have greater chances to get a good camera. Up to 65 or so, the Kiev assembling was more or less supervised by Zeiss technicians who had trained the Arsenal workers. Thus, one may consider that the cameras were ebtter made.
Otherwise there's a just CLAded Contax III at oleg cameras for 159$ plus shipping, the only thing is that it has serious brassing on the cover. Oleg is well known for his outstanding custommer service and reliability.
Or contact FrankS who just proposed you a 4a with a lens... that's RFF solidarity!

 

[mexipike]

Thanks Rolleistef, I think I'm going to try to get enough money together to get a Bessa R as that seems quite reliable. Although I'm still looking into all other options, for a good temporary replacement for the camera, really I just need a rangefinder. I'm going to Cuba in a few weeks and I need something to document with. Thinking more about it a Russian camera may be excellent for cuba!!?

 

[mexipike]

How much do you want for the 4a Frank S?