Leica IIf scare

[MichaelHarris]

I rolled the dice, hit a hard 17, and placed a chip on the green 00 3 times in a row and got some Russian lenses for my Leica IIf. Man was I shocked, it looked like someone spread early morning drool on the glass. Someone said not all the lenses worked well with the Leica so I slapped the 35mm VC back on to make sure it wasn't me or the camera.

These are from the recent Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery exhibit down in Lewiston, Id.

I know alot of people have Russian lenses but I may just stick with CV until I can afford a real Leica lens.

 

[FrankS]

Nothing wrong with CV lenses! What FSU lenses did you try?

 

[MichaelHarris]

It was a Fed 50 collapsable, a Jupiter 8 and an 11. A buddy sent me Fed 5 camera to try the lenses on later and all but the 11 worked great.

 

[FrankS]

I've had good luck with my Fed collapsible and J8. I think that about sums up the FSU experience - all over the map!

 

[OldNick]

I guess I was just lucky with my Jupiter 12, or maybe outwitted the odds. I looked at Yuri's offerings at Fedka, and could have bought an early J-12 without caps and case fairly cheaply. After exchanging emails with Yuri, I opted for the more expensive, black, late model with caps and case. The rear caps are fairly scarce, hence the premium price. I have been very satisfied with the results with this lens.

Jim N.

 

[MichaelHarris]

I bought my collapsable Fed 50 also from Yuri but it doesn't focus right on my Leica. I may try one of the others.

 

[John]

I really like your sample photos. The colours are rich, bright, and contrasty. Shadows and exposure seem just right. Very impressive. 🙂

 

[mitspooner]

Nice Michael!!! I may have a Fed something or another from that zorki I killed to send you....... found it! well it's a 50mm f2.8.

 

[ZorkiKat]

I bought my collapsable Fed 50 also from Yuri but it doesn't focus right on my Leica. I may try one of the others.

Did you get the "right" FED-50? The prewar ones won't focus. I even have a couple of FED-50 (from the early 1950s) which work right on the FED they came with, but not on any other camera, including other FED. RF pitch, thread mount pitch issues cause this.

On the other hand, the FED-50 lenses which came on later FED-1 do focus well with my Zorki, Canon, and Leica (including M3) cameras.


Jay

 

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks everyone, Jay I don't know which one I bought. I'm not too hip when it comes to Russian lenses, all I know is it's a Fed and collapsable. It really looks cool on the camera, it just doesn't focus right.

 

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks John, I really like the IIf. I used some off brand spot meter that always does me right.

Yo Mitch my brother how goes it? I'm knee deep in teak saw dust building a LF camera. Been looking everywhere for brass channel instead of aluminum. Hope I find some brass and teak rock.

I may do a step by step photo essay so others can knock one together. Maybe we can get a camera builder or LF forum going here.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks everyone, Jay I don't know which one I bought. I'm not too hip when it comes to Russian lenses, all I know is it's a Fed and collapsable. It really looks cool on the camera, it just doesn't focus right.

Michael

You should look for the collapsible Industar (-22 or -50) which were supplied with the Zorki. These were made according to Leitz standards. I've had these on my Leica, and they work rather well. The Industar 50 is even a better choice since they were made around the time when Soviet LTM standards were quite standardised already.

One cue that the FED-50 won't likely work is if it has the old style aperture scale (i.e= 3,5/ 4,5/ 6,3/ 9,5/ 12,5/ 18) instead of the the "modern" scale (3,5/4/5,6/8/11/16).

Jay