Which FSU lens?

[Thardy]

I want to try some Russian lenses (mod wide to about 90mm). What brand do you recommend? Is there any other place than eBay to purchase?

Thanks

 

[gb hill]

Fedka is a reliable seller in New York.

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/

 

[wolves3012]

I want to try some Russian lenses (mod wide to about 90mm). What brand do you recommend? Is there any other place than eBay to purchase?

Thanks

You didn't say which mount - presumably LTM?

You have a choice of Industar, as fitted to Zorkis and FEDs or Jupiter, as fitted to Zorkis. Unless you go hunting for the exotic/rare/expensive, the choice is down to:

Industar 22 or 50/FED 50 (50mm): these are mostly collapsibles, with a rigid I-50 also being common. Tessar design, very sharp but f/3.5-16.

Industar 26m/61 (50mm): Very sharp and high-contrast, moderately fast at f2.8. The I-61 is the only russian LTM with click-stop apertures.

Jupiter 8 (50mm): Sharp in the middle, a little softer at the edges, quite fast at f/2. A very popular and well-liked lens.

Jupiter 3 (50mm): Similar to J-8 but a fast lens at f/1.5

Jupiter 9 (85mm): Highly regarded portrait lens, fast too at f/2. Both this and the J-3 have a reputation for being badly re-assembled after repairs so choose a buyer carefully and get a returns agreement.

Jupiter 11 (135mm). Not very sought-after so prices are low. At f/4 it's not terribly fast for a 135mm but the quality is excellent.

Jupiter 12 (35mm): Pretty much a copy of the Zeiss Biogon, it's reasonably fast at f/2.8. The large rear element is susceptible to damage and hits the shutter on some non-FSU bodies and obstructs the light-meter cell on others. People say it's prone to flare but I've never had an issue with it. Pictures from it are extremely good.

Hope that helps! There are a few others but they are either rare or expensive and usually both. Notable one might be the Orion 28mm f/6. Be aware that on non-FSU bodies these lenses aren't 100% accurate at close focus, there's a small error. All of mine back-focus on a Leica, it's slight but it's there. Irrelevant on the 35mm.

 

[Thardy]

I was thinking LTM mount, as I didn't know they come in the M mount. Thank you for your help. I'm glad to know that there is a seller in the US.

 

[veraikon]

I was thinking LTM mount

They are LTM (look at "...for Leica, FED, Zorki" in description).
Because there are the some lenses in Contax /Kiev mount and some in a non LTM M39 - Mount (Zenit) .

 

[ruben]

...... I'm glad to know that there is a seller in the US.

That seller, Fedka, happens to have the best optics, and in general is the most trustable worldwide. Prices a bit up.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[gb hill]

That seller, Fedka, happens to have the best optics, and in general is the most trustable worldwide. Prices a bit up.

Cheers,
Ruben

It seems all fsu stuff is demanding higher prices now a days. I guess I got in at the right time. That black J-3 on Fedkas site for $300.00 is rediculous.

 

[wolves3012]

I was thinking LTM mount, as I didn't know they come in the M mount. Thank you for your help. I'm glad to know that there is a seller in the US.

You're welcome. They don't come in M-mount (AFAIK anyway) but, as noted by veraikon, they do come in Contax/Kiev and some in M39. Beware the M39 lenses because they will certainly fit without a problem. Unfortunately they are not going to focus at all, since they're SLR lenses (early Zenit). In theory you could use one on an extension tube, but it won't be a standard sized one! I've seen several J-11 lenses in M39 on a certain auction site, advertised as "for Leica, Zorki & FED". If you want a J-11, look carefully at the pictures, they're easy to tell apart: The LTM ones are an almost-constant diameter along the length, the M39 has noticeable bulges and taperings.

 

[clarence]

I have an ad in the classifieds for my Fed 2 and a Jupiter 3, Jupiter 9 and a CV 25mm.

Clarence

 

[ZorkiKat]

Jupiter-12 in LTM and most FSU lenses in LTM tend to fetch higher prices because of their potential to be used in other LTM cameras and even M mount cameras with an adapter. Those built for Kiev on the other hand, particularly the J-12 tend to sell lower because their use is limited to Kiev and prewar Contax. The only FSU Kiev mount lenses which can be used for the postwar contax are the 50, 85, and 135mms, as well as the rare 28mm.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Just before reading this thread I was revisiting some negatives,- taken a few months ago with a newly aquired Fed collapsible 50mm, f3.5, I have'nt used it much as I dislike the front-end aperture setting. But the more I look at these negs. I realize what a damn good optic this is,-and cost just £15!! 🙂 -now if that rain will pass over I'll go and shoot some Tri X with it!! 🙁


Happy new year!
Dave.

 

[40oz]

It seems all fsu stuff is demanding higher prices now a days. I guess I got in at the right time. That black J-3 on Fedkas site for $300.00 is rediculous.

Fedka can charge more than ebay because he sells items that actually function, and most importantly because he stands behind his product. I happily pay more knowing I can send it back and it'll be made right. What kind of bargain do I get on ebay when I get a lens that won't focus after waiting three months for delivery?

IMHO, the $300 black J-3 is worth the money as long as it works as nice as it looks. I ordered one for half that price of ebay, and the seller jerked me around for months and I never saw it. The fact that there is one in this country in the hands of a reputable retailer, ready for you to buy, who can get it to you in a matter of days and is willing to address any issues, is justification for the price, IMHO.

I'm not sure why people instinctively think a working lens that has many fans and numerous rave reviews is automatically not worth as much money as a lens from a German or Japanese maker. Especially when the general consensus is that a good working example is every bit the equal of the original German model. Yes, the premium for a black version is a bit silly, but so is the premium for any black camera gear.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The sharpest J-3's that I've used are from the mid 1950s through the early 1960s. The construction of the later Black lenses changed, the rear elements were fixed into place of the barrel. None that I've shot with were as sharp as the older lenses. The earlier lenses offered more freedom in adjusting the element spacing. The optical formula did not change, and I've substituted a front element from a 1986 lens onto a 1950s lens, which was otherwise quite nice. That worked quite well.

I shoot with a 1959 J-3 now, it is quite sharp.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Ebay can be russian roulet (pun intended lol). I have had some crashing dissappointments buying there. And a few successes.

I am alwyas happy to find a "normal" business that deals in the stuff I am looking for. Ebay helps me deterimne the market.