Should I buy a J-12?

[TimSmith-Laing]

So, back in the days when I could still look at an SLR and not think, 'What is that prism thing on top for? And where's the rangefinder window?', I used to cherish my little Vivitar 35mm lens and the lovely shot it produced - and I'd like to get that from either my zorki-4 or my (new new new) FED-2.

So, should I buy a Jupiter-12? And does that mean I need to get me a turret viewfinder? And which one? And where? And how?

I, frankly, love my Jupiter-8/Zorki 4 combo, and the pictures, when I get it right, are incredibly sharp. I've yet to see how my FED-2 and Industar 10 (I think), perform, but I love the feel of the FED more than the Zorki, and the viewfinder is stunning. So I'd love wide angle photos from them.

Or should I, horror, maybe just use my old OM-10?

Advice please!

 

[FrankS]

The J12 35mm f2.8 FSU lens is a really great value in terms of performance/cost. By all means get one. The draw backs of the lens are that it sometimes tends to flare (depends on individual lens) and the large protruding rear element makes it a bit more challenging to change, and it won't fit on the Bessa RF cameras.

Then search around for an external finder for it. They come up for sale here at RFF sometimes, place a wanted to buy ad, go to local camera stores and fleamarkets, search on-line camera stores, or give Ebay a try.

 

[lubitel]

yes buy the j-12. 😉

and yes you will need an external VF. Might not fit the Fed2 though. I dont know much about VFinders I only have this huge old Kontur VF which only works if you have both eyes open.

 

[FrankS]

Try to find a single focal length 35mm finder for it rather than the turret type because the turrets are jsut so much bigger and you don't need the other focal lengths it provides.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Thanks for encouraging my GAS guys! I was doing so well.

Will report back on progress ... though a Ricohflex L has just caught my eye. Oh dear.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Yes, you should. You really, really should. I love mine. The thing is incredibly sharp at smaller apertures, plenty sharp wide open, bokeh looks great, it's relatively small...you just can't go wrong. Make sure, though, that whoever you buy it from has the rear cap to go with it. It'll save you a lot of headaches later on.

 

[captainslack]

I second what Stephanie said.

I have one in Kiev/Contax mount and use a Voigtlander 35mm finder with it. Nice, sharp images. For the money, you can't go wrong.

 

[OldNick]

I also agree with Stephanie. I have one in LTM mount that stays on my Leica IIIf. I use a CV finder. There is a finder for sale in the classifieds right now. They are usually available at a bargain price on the auction site. I bought my lens from Fedka.

Jim N.

 

[Xmas]

Frank
Many of the J12 have ground glass bevels on the rear element that are untreated by the factory and if you point the lens at a light source the bevels will 'glow', black painting the bevels will help. I'm not sure why so many were not treated it cannot have been the production workers or vodka of Friday.
Noel

 

[oscroft]

Add my vote to the "yes" count - I really like my J-12. As I said on another thread recently, I mostly use the cheap and cheerful Helios viewfinder with it, which fits on the early FED 2 models with the low shoe (it has brightlines for 35mm, 85mm and 135mm). I also have an FSU 35mm finder and a turret finder. I think the turret finder is the best, but it is bulky and inconvenient.

(I've got a spare Helios finder if you're interested in one, or I'd probably let the FSU 35mm one go if you wanted it - drop me a PM)

 

[oscroft]

..or I'd probably let the FSU 35mm one go...

Actually, can't remember if that one fits the FED-2 - I'd have to check.

 

[leica M2 fan]

J-12 35mm lens

J-12 35mm lens

The J-12 does not mount on my Fed 2d(e), I've tried and tried and it just will not go on. Hope you have better luck.
However, it does go on my Zorki 6.🙂

 

[clintock]

When putting a j-12 on my fed, it helped to hold the shutter open on b with a cable release and see what the hold up was with the back off. I only had to bend the RF arm just a little to get the tear shaped slider thing to ride right on the focus cam.
It still works with other lenses, but I think I had to re-check the infinity.
Be careful not to scrape paint from the rear element sides..

 

[oscroft]

When putting a j-12 on my fed, it helped to hold the shutter open on b with a cable release and see what the hold up was with the back off. I only had to bend the RF arm just a little to get the tear shaped slider thing to ride right on the focus cam.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten - I had exactly the same problem with my FED-2. The RF arm only needed a slight bend, and it still works fine with my other lenses.

 

[Spyderman]

Buy it!

PS: I also can't mount it on my FED 3, but not because of the RF arm, but because of a stop behind the RF arm. It is there probably to prevent the arm from being pushed too far, but it sticks from the roof of the camerabody, and just doesn't let the J-12 mount... So be careful. First time when you try to mount the lens, do it with Shutter open on B and looking from the back.