lenses to M?

[jano]

Last night, through a link on another thread, I discovered (my first time) some russian lenses for sale, I think it was fedka or something like that. They had what were claimed to be the CZ 50 1.5 and 85/2 russian copies, and didn't seem to be overly expensive. I briefly had a contax II with a 50 1.5 sonnar, and absolutley fell in love with that lens, but I ended up returning the camera with the lens. I'd really like to get my hands on a prewar 50 1.5 with a m mount adapter, but the cost at the moment will be prohibitive. But then, why go old when new is just around the corner? (rhetorical q)

So I'm waiting for the new ZM 50 sonnar to be released, however, methinks maybe I could give these russian lenses a try in the meantime. I only have M mount cameras with the ZM 25 and 35 lenses, and that store also has some ltm to M adapters. Well, I also have a contax G2 set with 28, 35, 45, and 90 lenses, but obviously there are no third party lenses for that system.

Hmm.. not sure why I'm posting this, I don't really have a question. Or.. er... do I? Maybe it's a "what to do" scenario? Looking at my lenses, I'm heavily into CZ, perhaps I should branch away and instead go for something like leica?

Thoughts?

 

[Nachkebia]

Okey, let me tell you where I am! exactly in same position, also waiting for sonnar 50mm.. What I will do is! will get 35mm summilux (I think 35mm fits me best) and will get 28mm cron (need to save some money) but when it comes to the long once! I am confused! should I wait end of the year to get sonnar 85mm? or get 75mm summilux? anyhow at the momment I only have budget for sonnar 50mm, lets wait and see... uuh oohh I need to buy Mamiya 645 for my wife! (as if I wont love it )

 

[JoeFriday]

there's nothing wrong with Leica, as we all know, but I happen to agree that CZ lenses are the cat's meow.. I have a Sonnar 50/1.5 and M-mount adapter, and it's an amazing combination.. but I sometimes think about picking up a Jupiter-8 in LTM to see how it would compare

ironically, I had one a year ago and traded it off in a sugar-induced delirium.. if the current owner of that lens wants to send it back, I'll be glad to see its return

 

[jano]

I have a Sonnar 50/1.5 and M-mount adapter, and it's an amazing combination..

That's what I really want, results of that lens were what I've been looking for, but I didn't quite like the camera (my ZI or M2 are perfectly fine). I'm just not patient enough for fleabay! I wonder if there are people that might do it for me, or maybe someone here has the lens for sale (didn't see it in classifieds) *shrug*

Would those russian lenses with the ltm-m adapters fit the ZI? I read somewhere that one of the lenses doesn't quite fit on a leica body or something, but could just be internet mythos.

Nachkebia.. I'm shaking my head, grinning

 

[ferider]

Be careful, Jano, the two lenses that you are interested in (J-3 and J-9) are the ones with notorious focusing issues. The typical buy from ebay or even well-reputed online stores will be collimated to infinity but out of focus at close-up. And, not every lens that you buy can be fixed.

I do own a 50/1.5 war-time Sonnar, and the ZK 85/2 lens that Raid is currently testing, both in LTM. The ZK lens is quite close to its parent the five year older CZJ Sonnar. I also own a ZK 50/1.5.

If you want the Sonnar "look" on a Leica for affordable price, I suggest to buy a Canon 50/1.5 and a Nikkor 85/2 instead. You will get similar OOF behavior. Both lenses are better built than the Russian counterparts, reasonably priced, and the Nikkor is sharper than its ancestor (and it looks good, see my avatar )

Roland.

PS: attached a photo of Devon from my last PAW, taken with the Nikkor 85/2. Second, an older photo of her taken with the Canon

 

[jano]

Hmm.. thanks for the heads up Roland, focus across the board is important to me, so maybe I should just pay up and not deal with the FSU lenses.. there is a N 85/2 for sale here, but... the russian ones are about 1/4 the price. Must enter deliberation now re 85, and maybe troll fleabay for a couple weeks for the 50.

What does "ZK" stand for? Zeiss... K? For LTM or Kmount?

 

[ferider]

Hi Jano,

you can get a good chrome Nikkor between US 250 and 300.

"ZK" stands for "Zonnar Krasnogorski" which was the name that J-3 and J-9 had before Jupiter was used, i.e. before 1951 or so. These lenses are likely made from original Zeiss parts (and likely were assembled partially by ex-Zeiss employees). They have Zeiss serial numbers on their lens barrels. They came both in LTM and Contax mount.

See for example:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/1321319

Check for "ZK" under camera and photo on *bay and you will see. There is the risk of getting fake ZK lenses, however.

BTW, if you ever come up to the SF area, you could try the one or other of my Sonnar variants, if you like
(except the black Nikkor )

Good luck,

Roland.

 

[brachal]

If you buy from Yuri at Fedka, you can always return the lenses if you don't like them. His customer service is outstanding. I have a J3 and a J9 from Yuri, and both produce outstanding results -- even up close and wide open. No focusing issues at all. I was afraid that the J3 would be a little soft at 1.5 on my bessa r, but it's still very sharp. Total cost for both lenses was under $250.

If you search the site, you can find some very thorough lens comparisons featuring the J3.

 

[jano]

Shortly after this thread, I browsed up on fleabay, saw a nikkor 8,5cm, and put in a bid. I won, and turned out it was from an rff member here, who sent the package same day and I received it today! So I tested it out.. wow.

Nice lens All acros 100 in xtol 1:1. Scanned and the most minor PS I've ever done (spot removal, very minor curves, and photo filter to warm up a couple of them). Used the ZI, although I think the 85 frameline there isn't quie accurate.