Body for J-12

[mtk]

I have cheap options for jupiter 12 at the local marketplace. But i cannot choose a body for it. accesory viewfinders are not widely available here, in fact i haven't seen any of them yet.

So i need a body, with viewfinder for 35, 50 and preferably 85/90 for J9.

i like bessa R very much, but only some jupiters are compatible as users say here.

as i figured out on internet, canon 7 is also incompatible. so show me the body:p

also many people are enjoying j12 here with fsu cameras, and if there is no body for my tastes what is the viewfinder you use with them?

thanks in advance..

[chambrenoire]

I used the J-12 on a Leica M2 with fantastic results..
You could get a cheap Zorki4?

[mtk]

Zorki 4 has 50mm finder right? i have got zorki 6 that i like, but need more framelines..

[ruby.monkey]

You cannot buy on-line? Because the Kiev turret finder is reasonably priced and readily available.

[tyrone.s]

I purchased a J-12 attached to Zorki 4 - but too be honest I never shot a roll with that combination (not sure why). I have, however, used the J-12 with my Bessa R and I found that worked well; mostly because I liked using the very clear and bright finder and because I didn't run into any problems with focusing incompatibilities - but then I never went more open than f4 and so depth of field was fine and covered any minor incompatibilities that I might have experienced. I also preferred the Bessa over the Zorki, Fed 1, or my IIIf because it does have internal finders for 35 mm & 90 mm and I used a CV 35/1.7 with the Bessa body.

I've also used a Russian turret finder (http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00F/00FsMB-29196084.jpg) but I found that clumsy to use because it seemed to me to be awkward on top of the camera and really the combined size defeated the point of a rangefinder for me - I tended to think - this was especially true of the turret rangefinder on top of Leica II-III's and the Fed Zorki derivatives (although ymmv). I've also used a Helios (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2286020118_561549d221.jpg)(35,85m,135mm) finder which is much smaller than the turret finder and may be worth considering. Not that it's as good a finder as the Russian turret finder (which has correction for parallax, separate views for each focal length and a much clearer view). The Helios has 3 focal lengths all in the 1 view window (if that makes sense) - but in terms of letting you frame a picture it's a snap to use. If a little yellowy amber to look through.

However I find all of these options to be less pleasant than the Bessa's viewfinder: If only for its combined RF/Viewfinder and the fact that I find using an external viewfinder somewhat clunky. Of course if you don't mind focusing and using a seperate viewfinder then this may not be an issue for you. I love using my CV 15mm with its viewfinder - but then I'm not trying to use the rangefinder in that instance.

Of course J-12's are a lot cheaper than Bessa bodies. But really, why fight the urge? Get the J-12, a Bessa, an M3, a Zorki, a Fed, another J-12 on the end of a Kiev, a ...

BTW, what 35mm / 90 mm lenses are you considering?

[mtk]

yes, maybe 65$ is resonably priced, i haven't thought bput that really.. but shipping to Georgia costs a lot also.. and..

well i prefer buying a camera body than the finder..

but if there is no camera for my needs, well, then i'll consider turret finder..

[steverett]

My canon 7 fits a J-12 fine. It's a great camera, but you might want to try it in person to make sure it fits.

[mtk]

i plan to use jupiters mainly, 8, 9 and 12. because they are widely available and very cheap. 3$ for 50mm(excluding j3 that i have never seen in person) and 20$ for the rest.

and i want a cam to use them.

tyrone.s (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/member.php?u=10623)

don't you screw tha lens all the way, or is there other focussing incompatibility?

i would prefer bessa over canon 7 in fact.

[Frank Lambert]

Consider a good FED 2, 3 or Zorki 4 and, if you like to "do it yourself", a good idea for a "very cheap", homemade view finder is outlined in Jay's web page (attached). Good luck....
Frank
http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page358.htm

[mtk]

that was fun reading, thanks.. i may try it some time.. but for now i need a more conservative way to solve my problem..

p.s. i've already got zorki 6 that i like a lot..

[Dave Wilkinson]

These two were bought on Ebay for about UK £10 each,-the one off the camera gives a 1:1 view with my 50mm lenses!, both give a lot better view than the turrets and quickly placed, as the lens is changed. :).....obviously no
paralax correction, but this is'nt a problem for me with this camera-if I want CLOSE, I usually grab an SLR, - or guess!!

Cheers Dave.

[mtk]

really nice.. what is the manufacturer name?

[Dave Wilkinson]

really nice.. what is the manufacturer name?


The 3.5cm on camera has no maker's name,-but for what it's worth - came from the Ukraine, the other is Japanese (SUN).....keep looking at the listings :)
Dave

[mtk]

thanks, well the viewfinders seem to be easyli obtainable.. and if it was for the camera body, to use with 35, 50, 85/90 what would you choose?

[lmd91343]

I have cheap options for jupiter 12 at the local marketplace. But i cannot choose a body for it. ...
...
as i figured out on internet, canon 7 is also incompatible. so show me the body:p
...
thanks in advance..

I have a J12 and two Canon 7 cameras and a Canon 7s. The lens fits all three.

I understand there are two formulations of the J12. Some fit the 7, the others do not.

[mtk]

that's weird really.. about the differences in lens construction.. but let's leave it alone.. so if i get a jupiter 12 of a certain type, it will be perfectly compatible with both canon 7 and the bessa r?

and does anyone know the serial number range for this type of lens?

[oscroft]

it will be perfectly compatible with both canon 7 and the bessa r?
Some J-12s won't fit the Bessa-R (mine won't) - they either foul on the baffles inside, or hit the front shutter.

[mtk]

what else? i didn't know leningrad had framelines, but it must be overcrowded to show all of the 4 together. drug or droug is rare, i haven't met one.

what else?

[Florian1234]

I use the J-12 on a Leica M4 body with adapter. But also have a Fed-2 (no brightlines or 35mm viewfinder though, and never tried the J-12 with the Fed-2 yet)

[Kapa]

that's weird really.. about the differences in lens construction.. but let's leave it alone.. so if i get a jupiter 12 of a certain type, it will be perfectly compatible with both canon 7 and the bessa r?

and does anyone know the serial number range for this type of lens?

This has been discussed recently.... Search back a month or so ago. My J12, a black late model one (7602153) fits (just) on my Bessa R. Of course it cuts out the meter and it doesn't focus to infinity. But hey, I can still use it....

[mtk]

if it fits, why is there a focussing problem?

[mtk]

anyone?...

[Florian1234]

The huge back-element of the J-12 nearly touches the Bessa's shutter blades inside the body.
Every lens moves its elements when you shift the focussing ring. If you turn into direction of infinity, the back element will turn further inside.
So, to avoid the J-12's back element to touch the shutter blades, you can not turn it all the way.

[mtk]

oh, thats wise.. :D

is it the same on canon 7?

[mackigator]

I just got a used J-12. It does have a big rear end. It fits my CLE, my Hexar RF, but not the Bessa R2. On the R2, it's jammed against the rear of the compartment (seems unsafe) and won't turn properly to the 15 M and Infinity focus positions. I'm not brave enough to see if it actually puts pressure on the shutter or is just very, very close.

[brainwood]

hi

Have a look at the Helios multifinder - framelines in 35 85 135 mm

theres one on ebay : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Helios-Viewfinder-for-Leica-FED-Zorki-Kiev-CanonG9-NEW_W0QQitemZ140278852206QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 40278852206&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Helios-Viewfinder-for-Leica-FED-Zorki-Kiev-CanonG9-NEW_W0QQitemZ140278852206QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 40278852206&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

you could then use the lens with your zorki