Alternative M Mount Cameras

[anon]

Hello all,

I am keen on purchasing an M Mount camera but not a Leica due to budget constrains. There's the Hexar, CLE, Bessas, Rollei35RF, Zeiss and the FEDs and Zorkis. Which camera would you recommend going for? How durable are the Russian cameras? Which version of the FED and Zorki would you recommend? Would really appreciate any advise on this. Thanks in advance

 

[justinlht]

thanks for starting this thread - it's basically what i've been thinking about the entire past week! Would really appreciate if someone can give a brief comparison between some of these cameras... :think:

i just bought a zorki 4k for about 11 pounds, now camping on the bay for a jupiter 8 lens. the zorki i got is really quite heavy, but has got a solid feel to it - can't wait to try it out! when i get my lens (cross fingers), i'll see if i can post some pics up and let you know how it performs

 

[hookonclassic]

If you are budget constraint, I will still recommend you to get a old Leica classic... M2, M3 or M4 without exposure meter...you can couple with an external VC meter and they work perfectly...the classic is really well built...the M3 is really nice to shoot with 50mm or 90mm...you will not regret...they will mostly likely out perform us...most people that started with a RF will most likely want to try the Leica RF some point in time...in addition...the value of the M2, M3 or M4 is quite stable and retain the value well if you take good care of it...

Leica M3 from 1963...:lovegrin:

 

[hamustar]

I think a Bessa RF would be just about right in terms of reliability, feature and price.

 

[fuwen]

Hello all,

I am keen on purchasing an M Mount camera but not a Leica due to budget constrains. There's the Hexar, CLE, Bessas, Rollei35RF, Zeiss and the FEDs and Zorkis. Which camera would you recommend going for? How durable are the Russian cameras? Which version of the FED and Zorki would you recommend? Would really appreciate any advise on this. Thanks in advance

What focal length u are planning to use?

 

[blacvios]

If you have slightly more budget ($500-600), i would recommend the older bessas either the R (LTM) or the R2 (M) with built in viewfinder and mechanical shutter.

 

[anon]

I have a 35mm and a 50mm. How would these cameras compare in terms of shutter sound? Are the bessas and the russian cameras very much louder than a leica?

 

[fuwen]

If u can afford a Leica that would be nice.

Else for 35 and 50mm Bessa R2, R2A or R2M will be good enough. ZI will be a nice camera also with very bright view finder and also adequate for 28mm guess if u do not wear specs. If u intend to play with wider focal length then the R4A/R4M is fantastic, and personnally I managed to use them fine with 50mm at f2.

 

[anon]

Does anyone know if Jupiter 3 works with Leica CL? Is an adapter needed? Thanks.

 

[raytoei]

Yes. I used Russian lens on the CL before I sold it this past week.

The Jupiter-3 works on the CL BUT:

* You'd need a screw-mount to M adapter (there 3 basically 3 to choose from, so get the one which says 50mm)

* Russian Lens and Leica cameras = Back Focus most of the time. ie. The back of the image where you focus is sharper than the front. There are 2 ways around it:

a. Get it Shimmed. Ie. open up the Jupiter, there is this silver ring, the shim. it is either too thick or too thin. I had a gentleman from RFF who is shimming for me the Jupiter-8 and Industar-50 Rigid. It will cost money but many like the Jupiter-3 as a portraiture lens, especially to snap GFs or Wifes.

b. Focus, but just before you press the shutter button, move the camera 1 inch back then press the button.

hope this helps

raytoei

 

[phisto]

Yes. I used Russian lens on the CL before I sold it this past week.

The Jupiter-3 works on the CL BUT:

* You'd need a screw-mount to M adapter (there 3 basically 3 to choose from, so get the one which says 50mm)

* Russian Lens and Leica cameras = Back Focus most of the time. ie. The back of the image where you focus is sharper than the front. There are 2 ways around it:

a. Get it Shimmed. Ie. open up the Jupiter, there is this silver ring, the shim. it is either too thick or too thin. I had a gentleman from RFF who is shimming for me the Jupiter-8 and Industar-50 Rigid. It will cost money but many like the Jupiter-3 as a portraiture lens, especially to snap GFs or Wifes.

b. Focus, but just before you press the shutter button, move the camera 1 inch back then press the button.

hope this helps

raytoei

hey raytoei,

Any similar problems with Jupiter 8 with the CL? My jupiter 8 is on the way.....

 

[raytoei]

I really Dunno.

Jupiter-8 best years are supposedly up to 1965. I got a 1961 but still had back focus problem. It took me a while to figure out what the issue was, this was made worse because of ambient light shooting, hence very shallow DOF.

If you check RFF, read up on Brian Sweeney, he is full time engineer but help to fix lens for a fee at this own time. He explains the issue quite well.

I think Russian Lens pair up with Russian Bodies are okay.As I have paired up I-26M, I-61 l/d without issues on my FED-5B and FED-2.

For example, if you see this, you'd think the lens is okay. This is I-50 Rigid on the Leica IIIc:

then you see this,

then you think why is your first pix not as sharp as the second. Then you wonder if there is something wrong with the lens or the camera....then you'd start reading up on the net and think oh..the RF is not aligned and start messing with it..when all along the pairing was wrong....

sorry to confuse you further.

Having said this, I have a J-8 and and the I-50 Rigid coming my way, fixed and adjusted for Leicas-only.

raytoei

 

[phisto]

I really Dunno.

Jupiter-8 best years are supposedly up to 1965. I got a 1961 but still had back focus problem. It took me a while to figure out what the issue was, this was made worse because of ambient light shooting, hence very shallow DOF.

If you check RFF, read up on Brian Sweeney, he is full time engineer but help to fix lens for a fee at this own time. He explains the issue quite well.

I think Russian Lens pair up with Russian Bodies are okay.As I have paired up I-26M, I-61 l/d without issues on my FED-5B and FED-2.

For example, if you see this, you'd think the lens is okay. This is I-50 Rigid on the Leica IIIc:

then you see this,

then you think why is your first pix not as sharp as the second. Then you wonder if there is something wrong with the lens or the camera....then you'd start reading up on the net and think oh..the RF is not aligned and start messing with it..when all along the pairing was wrong....

sorry to confuse you further.

Having said this, I have a J-8 and and the I-50 Rigid coming my way, fixed and adjusted for Leicas-only.

raytoei

Oh man.. this is getting complicated. My jupiter 8 is supposed to be new old stock; made in the 80's. Looks like i need to test shoot a roll?

 

[osocan]

Oh man.. this is getting complicated. My jupiter 8 is supposed to be new old stock; made in the 80's. Looks like i need to test shoot a roll?

FSU lenses are reportedly incompatible with Leica bodies because of the difference in the standard used for the registration distance. Not too sure whether an 80s' J8 is any different.

I second raytoei's suggestion that you get in touch with Brian Sweeney of RFF or any of the experts out there. I have a 1962 J3 that was practically unuseable. It was sent in to Brian, and as it turns out, the lens actually front-focussed. The previous owner probably optimised it for stop down use.

One thing to note, though, is the cost of sending the lens overseas for servicing. Even when the servicing fee is only a token by any standard, that together with the return postal charges is not that much cheaper than a very nice FSU body. In fact, when I first approached Brian, he had actually offered to assist me in the servicing of the J3 via the postings he made on zifroum. Definitely worth considering especially when you intend to buy into more FSU lenses.

 

[anon]

My Jupiter3 has just arrived, the serial number's 62XXXXX. Would it work with any M mount camera (LeicaM / CL / Bessas) with an adaptor? Once 'fixed and adjusted' for a Leica, would it still work with a Bessa or any M mount camera? Where would be a good place to purchase an adaptor?

A tad OT - to get the Jupiter3 to work with a micro4/3 camera, I could use a M mount to M4/3 adapter followed by a screw to to M Mount adapter?

Thanks.

 

[raytoei]

anon.

year <> adapter <> adjusted for leica

These are 3 separate issues on FSU Lens.

I suggest you slow a bit and read up on these three issues, let me GOOGLE for you:

How to select FSU Lens (1950s, 1960s year differences):
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43469

Back focus problems:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58967

Adapter for LTM to M:
http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

Short answer is YES. you have to figure out the question

raytoei

 

[anon]

If u can afford a Leica that would be nice.

Else for 35 and 50mm Bessa R2, R2A or R2M will be good enough. ZI will be a nice camera also with very bright view finder and also adequate for 28mm guess if u do not wear specs. If u intend to play with wider focal length then the R4A/R4M is fantastic, and personnally I managed to use them fine with 50mm at f2.

which ZI model would you be referring to? does it take M mount lenses? any idea how much it would cost? thanks.

 

[blacvios]

which ZI model would you be referring to? does it take M mount lenses? any idea how much it would cost? thanks.

Zeiss ikon rangefinder made by cosina, it can be had for around $1200 used in B & S. But i would rather you get the R2M or R3M as they are all made by cosina

 

[NazgulKing]

Out of plain curiosity, where would one get a Zeiss Ikon in Singapore? Brand new that is. Or solely purely online?

Otherwise, the Bessa is definitely a better budget buy.

 

[blacvios]

Out of plain curiosity, where would one get a Zeiss Ikon in Singapore? Brand new that is. Or solely purely online?

Otherwise, the Bessa is definitely a better budget buy.

New should be $2K+, link below

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666042