Looking for various Russian Kiev/Contax gear

[Bob_McBob]

I originally posted this on photo.net, but someone suggested I also post it here (which hadn't occured to me), so here you are.

I'm looking for a few Russian items, and I thought I might as well see what's available from photo.net members [and here of course!] before taking my chances on eB*y. Here's a list:

1) Black Jupiter 9 85mm f/2 Nice condition, perfect glass, preferably with both caps, not out of adjustment (that's important)
2) Russian 35mm viewfinder
3) Russian 85mm viewfinder
4) Front and rear caps for a Jupiter 12
5) Jupiter 8 or Helios 103 in pristine condition, just to avoid having to buy another Kiev body to get a spare (my current one has a tiny scratch on the front element)

It would be great to find someone with all of these items available, but that does seem a little unlikely. Barring that, it would also be great if the Jupiter 9 came with the 85mm viewfinder, but I'm okay with buying both the viewfinders on eB*y.

Please let me know if you have any of this stuff available, I'm really feeling the Russian gear-buying itch!

 

[doubs43]

Re: Looking for various Russian Kiev/Contax gear

Originally posted by Bob_McBob Here's a list:
1) Black Jupiter 9 85mm f/2 Nice condition, perfect glass, preferably with both caps, not out of adjustment (that's important)
2) Russian 35mm viewfinder
3) Russian 85mm viewfinder
4) Front and rear caps for a Jupiter 12
5) Jupiter 8 or Helios 103 in pristine condition, just to avoid having to buy another Kiev body to get a spare (my current one has a tiny scratch on the front element)

Bob, I believe I've seen both finders on ebay within the past couple of days. Unless size is an issue, why not the universal finder?

A clean Jupiter-9 won't be hard to find on ebay but they normally go for more than the silver ones and critical focus can't be guaranteed in any event. The lens-body combination and adjustments are such that often the lens must be matched to a body. Then there's the question of the body's rangefinder adjustment up close. I've actually mated four lenses to one Kiev-4AM body using ground glass to ensure critical focus. Two of the lenses - J-12 & J-11 - had to be shimmed to achieve best results. The J-9 optical assembly comes out as a unit and infinity focus is adjusted by using shims. It's easy to do if you have the materials in the correct thicknesses.

A Jupiter-8 or 8M and Helios-103 in pristine condition will be easy to find. Have you tried your present lens? Unless the scratch degrades your images, I'd not worry about it. If you demand perfection then another lens is the answer.

The lens caps are available and I suggest you check the offerings of Alex-Photo who has a large number of caps and such for sale.

It would be nice if you found your wants from members on this list and you may want to try the Russian Camera list as well. It's on the Best Stuff site.

I hope I've been helpful. Good luck. 🙂

Walker

 

[Roman]

Yep 'alex-photo' aka 'asr-photo' is the place to look for lens-caps, hoods, etc. for Russian cameras - and his other stuff is nice, maybe he has some of the stuff you're looking for (just ask him, if it is not in his auctions) - so you could save on shipping!

Roman