Biogon-Krasnogorsk 35mm 2.8

[Firefly]

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Hi all, the Russian Jupiter 12 35mm 2.8 seems to have a somewhat dubious reputation, some say great and others say avoid at all costs. It appears the build quality is rather variable and I have heard that due to it being a copy of a Ziess Contax lens there are focusing issues when in the LTM mount anyway.

However I have encountered a Biogon-Krasnogorsk 35mm 2.8, the serial number indicates that it was built in 1950 and from what I can ascertain from the net was built using genuine Zeiss optics "aquired" sometime around 1945, also possibly built by "aquired" Zeiss Technicians as well.

Does anyone have any practical use of a similar lens, I do like old glass but do not need a useless bauble, my camera's are a MP and a M8 so any experience of this lens on film or digital Leica would be great, regards Rob

[Lenshacker]

Brian's Album: KMZ 3.5cm F2.8 Jupiter-12 in LTM

 

I have one from 1952, also Zeiss glass and optical fixtures. I had to change the shim for this lens to focus properly. I've worked on a couple for a friend, including 1 that could not be used on the Leica because the RF cam of the lens jammed up on the RF pickup. This lens was ~$80 with shipping, and "Ebay gamble". In all fairness, would have been a useless bauble without being able to CLA it which cost me nothing but a couple of hours of fun.

 

Mine works beautifully with the M8, M9, and M Monochrom but cannot be used on a u43 adapter, not sure about other mirrorless cameras.

 

I uploaded some pictures of the lens, note the rear of the lens and cam. If yours has an extra metal collar around the rear glass, it can hang up on the internals of a Leica M Digital and will not work on the later Canon RF's.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Lenshacker

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[Lenshacker]

Brian's Album: Late Jupiter-12 In Leica Mount

 

I also adapted a late Black J-12 for the Leica, and used it on the M8 and M Monochrom. Ended up being a gift exchange for someone that sent me an unrepairable J-3 and told me to just keep it for parts.

[Firefly]

Your pictures are very nice and it looks like you've had a great result. May I ask where you get the shims from and how you do it? cheers Rob

[Lenshacker]

The shims are the same as the Jupiter-8. I built these up from parts lenses, converting Zeiss lenses to Leica mount, and adapting lenses to Leica mount.

 

You can make shims from aluminum foil, paper, and "shimming material". I also use copper wire in various thicknesses for "thicker shims". I have a couple of expensive lenses with 1mm copper wire acting as a shim. Usually the wire can be used to replace those in the lens, and you pick up spares. "lens hacking"...

 

With most all of the Russian lenses, some will be fine on a Leica, most need to be adapted. I shoot a picture at minimum distance and "eyeball" the focus error. There is a mathematical formula.

 

For the 1950 lens- if it cheap, it's a rare collectible. There is a chance that it will not mount correctly, 1950 and early 1951 seems to be when the Russians were learning how to make these lenses. If it fits on the camera, and the RF cam makes proper contact with the camera- shimming the error is easy. If you get the lens, I can post the step-by-step procedure. Should probably do this anyway.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Lenshacker

[Firefly]

So it sounds like a need a few duff Jupiter 8's then. Not sure what you call cheap but it was less than tenth of the price of my Elmarit 28mm asph, and about one twentieth of the price of my pre asph 35mm summi. The (Russian) vendor claims to have obtained it from TASS which if I remember correctly was the old Soviet news agency, maybe true but I ain't gonna knock on the door and ask!! When it arrives I will take a few pictures with it on my M8 at different focal lengths and see whats what. many thanks Rob

[Lenshacker]

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I would personally go for it, at worst the glass can be transferred to a focus mount of another J-12 of later vintage. Takes patience to find one at a reasonable price these days, but ones with bad glass can be found.

[Firefly]

I have gone for it, just got to wait for it to arrive now, no doubt Christmas and Customs will hold it up. It would appear to be rather rare as you say but I want it primarily due to it having genuine Zeiss glass as I had a Contax years a go and the lenses were really very good.

As I said when it turns up I will take some pictures and see how in focus they are, many thanks, Rob

[Lenshacker]

I understand about the Contax lenses. I have a collection of Contax RF lenses modified to Leica mount. A 1950 KMZ J-3 with Zeiss glass and fixture was the first lens on the M Monochrom.