Four Russian lenses..nothing focuses correctly

[Chinasaur]

Need help please...

1. I have a Jupter-8, a Jupiter-3 and two Industar-61's.
2. NONE of them focus correctly/at all at Infinity. I simply cannot turn the lens far enough to make the Rangefinder focus a few hundred yards away....much less ships across the sound. f16 doesn't give me a fudge on the DoF either
3. All exhibit slightly "out of focus" throughout the focal range.
4. I am getting "feedback" that these lenses are correct.
5. I also have read that Russian/Ukranian lenses need shimming.
6. Cameras are Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon.
7. I know it's not my eyes as my Yashica pics are razor sharp.
8. Adapters are not Voigtlander adapters.
9. My CV 1.4 focuses perfectly on both cameras.

Question:

1. Is it possible that all four would exhibit this behaviour?
2. Could it be that I'm not screwing them in all the way down onto the adapter even though there is no discernable gap between lens and adapter?
3. Do ALL Russian/Ukranian lenses require shimming?

I'm beginning to think it "might" be me doing something wrong..I kinda doubt it ..but need some feedback. And before I hurl these things against a wall for the sheer entertainment value (Will YouTube have no fear..) I wanted to get a 3rd opinion...

Anyone? Buehler?

Thanks in advance all...seriously

[Brian Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Chinasaur

Need help please...

1. I have a Jupter-8, a Jupiter-3 and two Industar-61's.
2. NONE of them focus correctly/at all at Infinity. I simply cannot turn the lens far enough to make the Rangefinder focus a few hundred yards away....much less ships across the sound. f16 doesn't give me a fudge on the DoF either


Question:





I'm beginning to think it "might" be me doing something wrong..I kinda doubt it ..but need some feedback.

Anyone? Buehler?

Thanks in advance all...seriously

> 1. Is it possible that all four would exhibit this
> behaviour?

Yes, if they are all properly shimmed for use on a Russian camera, they should not work correctly on a Leica or camera built to the Leica standard. Russian lenses are built to the Zeiss standard of 52.4mm, not the Leica (nominal) 51.6mm standard.

>2. Could it be that I'm not screwing them in all the way
> down onto the adapter even though there is not
> discernable gap between lens and adapter?

Some of the cheaper adapters are not quite the correct thickness, and this will affect the distance scale relating to the RF of the camera. BUT- with a 50mm lens, it is not critical. A properly shimmed 50mm lens will focus in accordance with the RF because the RF cam moves 1:1 with the optics.

> 3. Do ALL Russian/Ukranian lenses require shimming?

I would say 80% of them require optimization for use on a Leica. Usually adding 0.1mm to the thickness of the shim does it. That puts the lens in agreement with the Leica when used wide-open and close-up. Stop down for use beyond 5m or so, the Sonnar focus shift is towards infinity.

There are exceptions. You can move the rear group in slightly to "somewhat" decrease focal length. I have one Zeiss 5cm F1.5, pre-war lens, that is in exact agreement with the Leica across the entire range after I converted it to Leica mount. It was originally for Contax, and did not focus well on the Contax II. It looks like the front element was polished and coated, which will reduce the focal length. On the M9, I have it shimmed so that F1.5 is perfect across the entire range.

[Vilk]

hurl them against the iron curtain

sigh... as someone born behind it, i have understanding but no pity for your plight. i bet the word "lens" did not even apear in lomography's business plan

but i digress...