LTM/M39/L39 Questions

Z

zeezea

Guest
Hello to all.

I`ve been looking at some FSU LTM lenses ( Jupiter-9 85mm f2 in particular)
to use with an adapter on my M4-2 and Bessa R3A RF`s. Some lenses are described as M39 and others as L39. Is there a difference? Will they couple
to the body`s rangefinder?

Also, I`m wondering if the R3A`s 1X mag can accurately focus the 85/f2.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Regards,
Al
 
Those lenses with a 39 mm mount which were made for SLR cameras will not have a focussing cam at the rear. However, if "LTM" appears anywhere in the description (Leica Thread Mount), the lens should be of the right kind. Cosina make 75 mm and 90 mm lenses for the Bessa cameras. I should imagine that focussing an 85 mm lens will be possible if a little risky.
 
Most eBay auctions that say "M39" are in fact talking about LTM/LSM. But not all of them. So make sure it doesn't say Zenit or SLR. And L39 is the same as LTM/LSM, AFAIK.

Did Leica ever have an "official" name for this mount?
 
The J9 in an SLR mount is shaped like a grenade - I have one in m42.

The J9 in Contax/Kiev or LTM is shaped like a large cigar - I also have one in Kiev mount.

J9's in LTM can be a bit overpriced, I got a Canon 85/1.9 instead for about US$100- here in the RFF Classifieds.
 
I don't think there's any official designation for these mounts. L39 usually gets applied to 39mm thread Leica-type lenses. M39 usually refers to the 39mm thread SLR mounts typically used on early Zenits, like a smaller version of M42. The two have the same thread and either system will actually mount on any body. The RF-mount L39 lenses can do close-focus work on a M39 body but won't focus very far away. The M39 lens on an L39 body is utterly useless, it's too close to the film.

I've only seen confusion over the Jupiter 11 variants but there may well be others. If it has a pre-set ring it's an M39 for sure, if it has an RF cam it's an L39.

EDIT: Just remembered there's also the rigid Industar 50 in both mounts. The M39 version is often called the "pancake" lens because it's so small, the L39 version is usually just called ugly! Ugly or not, it's a very nice, sharp lens.
 
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