Voigtlander Bessa R mount M39, L39 or LTM??

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pattysanti

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I’m new using Voigtlander cameras actually I’m new using 35mm film, I do remember my parents using the point and shot cameras but that’s it. So I bought this camera and got me a have Jupiter-8 which is a decent lens but I want to step up and I’m looking to get a 35mm lens, but since I’m not very familiar with this model, I don’t know what kind of lens to get, It confuses me the M39, L39 and LTM descriptions listed on eBay posts. Is the Bessa R compatible with L39 lenses ? I’m gonna to put some links above of some of the lenses I’m looking to buy:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excellent-Voigtlander-COLOR-SKOPAR-35mm-f-2-5-MC-L39-LTM-Leica-Thread-Mount-/293793710676?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-5-Canon-35mm-f-1-8-Lens-for-LTM-L39-Leica-Screw-L-Mount-from-JAPAN-/153986294500?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Voigtlander-COLOR-SKOPAR-35mm-f-2-5-MC-LTM-L39-Lens-Black-From-Japan-/143877219369?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Hope you can help me out!
 
Any of the three lenses you linked to will be fine.

The 39mm thread mount was used for some Russian half-frame cameras and SLR's. It was also used by Braun for their Rangefinder camera. Lenses for those cameras will screw onto the Bessa, but not focus with it.

Probably 99% of the 39mm thread mount lenses made will be fine with it. "LTM"- Leica Thread Mount means the lens was made for the Leica, should RF couple. The Voigtlander/Cosina lenses with the thread mount will work.

My choice for LTM 35mm lens-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Near-Mint-...ns-L-Mount-w-Box-from-JAPAN-5251/274519794101

The Ultron Asph 35/1.7. A little more than those shown, but one full F-Stop faster and Aspherical optics.

As you have a J-8: The Jupiter-12 with its huge rear element may be a problem for the Bessa R.
 
Agree with Brian. I have the black version of the Ultron on my Bessa R2M with an adapter and its a cracker lens. In general Voigtlander lenses IMO are top notch in most every focal length and great glass for the money.
 
Last edited:
Brian thanks for your advise, one more thing is my Bessa R compatible with L39 LTM lenses. Sorry if you already answered that but the M39 and L39 mount description are not that clear yet...thanks in advance.

**** never mind I just saw the first part of your reply, thanks for your help!🙂
 
I agree, it is confusing. I've been using LTM lenses for 50+ years, and ever once in a while someone posts a thread about a lens not focusing to infinity or some other problem (like the one mentioned above). You will like the Bessa R it has a great viewfinder with changeable bright lines for different lenses. The meter is excellent, and the rangefinder is easy to use. When I first purchased mine there was some talk about them jamming if you advance the film to rapidly or you try to force a extra frame at the end of a roll.

People here will treat you well and give you good advice. So, when you want to buy a lenses you can run it by knowledgeable people here (not me): and if you are lucky Sonnar Brian will help.
 
pattysanti said:
Brian thanks for your advise, one more thing is my Bessa R compatible with L39 LTM lenses. Sorry if you already answered that but the M39 and L39 mount description are not that clear yet...thanks in advance.

**** never mind I just saw the first part of your reply, thanks for your help!🙂
Click to expand...

Most if not all L39 LTM lenses should fit your Bessa R camera .

M39 mount lenses are usually meant for early made SLR cameras like the Zenit C and weird M39 lenses for leaf shutter built-in cameras.. like for the Braun Paxette camera, easy to spot that they are not L39 LTM lenses .
 
If the seller states "LTM"- it will work... "BUT" the exception is when sellers don't understand that a lens for a Braun Paxette or for Russian 39mm SLR mount is not LTM.

Some examples of each so that you can recognize the "other" 39mm types.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Braun-Paxe...ens-Included-Very-Good-Condition/254809454181

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAUN-PAXETTE-SUPER-II-CASSARIT-45MM-F-2-8/333634677568

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-KMZ-S...raktica-Zenit-M39/184575989018?epid=114209170

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zenit-E-bo...mera-BelOMO-M39-mount-very-early/164522310349

Half-frame "Industar-69".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lens-industar-69-2-8-28-Pancake-10/174552256652

Any of the lenses from Voigtlander, Leica, Canon, Minolta, Nikon, MANY others that state "39mm" or LTM, will be fine.

You can always post here to ask.
 
Congrats on the Bessa R, I have a Bessa T and I really enjoy the Cosina Voigtlander experience, these are really good cameras. I solely own the Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f2.5 in LTM, it's a tiny lens but quite good, though the Ultron is probably better.

I shot film a little before the advent of digital, but never had a good camera, I mostly used disposable cameras back then, before "upgrading" to a 2-megapixel Olympus.
 
On my Bessa R, I use the 35mm f/2.5 color skopar, in addition to a Jupiter-8. I'm very content with the skopar, and have no desire for a better (viz.: more expensive 😉) 35mm lens. Likewise, the J-8 is also rather nice - especially for the kind of price at which it normally sells.

The Bessa R with these two lenses is a very nice combination. 🙂
 
You really can't go wrong with the CV 35/2.5

I have it in LTM and it is a great lens -- surprising really.
The pancake would be my preference (did that come in LTM?), but the version I have with the stupid stick focus lever is still amazing and pleasant enough to use.

Regarding M39, L39, LTM: Yes, it can be confusing. If you hang out here for a while it will become very clear what is what. Officially, L39 and LTM are always the same thing; Leica Thread Mount. M39 is not as definitive (mostly associated with FSU and a metric implication). Of course if you're looking on ebay, many people who offer lenses don't know what the heck any of it is, and so its all meaningless 😱.
 
Doesn't the first gen pancake version of the 35mm Color Skopar lack any kind of focus tab? I think I'd find it annoying to use, lack of a tab is the only thing I really don't care for on my Ricoh 500G. I like the "stick" on my LTM version 35mm.
 
You have some good information here. Let me just add one bit about the Jupiter-12. It will mount safely and focus properly on the Bessa-R. The large, deep, rear element interferes with the light meter though, and readings will not be accurate.

You can use an external meter, or sunny sixteen rules to overcome this, however, if you intend to shoot that way you don't need a Bessa-R.
 
pattysanti said:
Can you let me know what the MC stands for on the attached link

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Voigtlander-COLOR-SKOPAR-35mm-f-2-5-MC-LTM-L39-Lens-Black-From-Japan-/143877219369?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
MC stands for Multi-Coating. Some Voigtlander lenses are SC, or Single-Coated. The "Head Bartender" of the forum has a website with a lot of information and details about Voigtlander lenses. It's a great resource. 🙂
https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm
 
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