@neil: "I have two Soviet rangefinder cameras, a Fed 1 and a Zorki 4. Can anyone
enlighten me as to which of the 90 and 135mm lenses in 39mm screw from Leitz
will couple with the rangefinder.
Both cameras have had the mount re-shimmed to give the correct 28.8mm
spacing. I wondered if there is an issue with what position the cam is in
when the lens is screwed home?
Can anyone air a opinion in the light of experience as to whether it is best
to go for Soviet Jupiter lenses of certain periods.
I have seen a reccomendation to select a fifties silver or a very late
black.
I need a 135mm and wondered whether I can  go for a 135mm Leitz lens or
stick with a Jupiter 11. There are a few 135mm Hektors around and I wondered
how the Leitz lens would compare to a good J11 (135mm).
I already have a late fifties 35mm Jupiter 12 (Biogon clone). It needs to
have the focus/rangefinder cam reset."
    @alex_macpheeSNIPTHIS: ""Neil Purling" <email_address> wrote
 > Both cameras have had the mount re-shimmed to give the correct 28.8mm
<quote>
I wonder if this page would be of any help (if you're not already aware of 
it). By co-incidence, I happened to be reading it early today and your query 
rang this particular bell.
<url>
Alex"
    @tp: "<quote>
If the mount has been re-shimmed, the focusing cam needs to be
readjusted to compensate.  
Of course the focusing cam may already have been out of adjustment, a
very common failing of these cameras.  You can have a camera repair
technician adjust this for you, or you can do it yourself. 
It is worth looking out for used Voigtl�nder (Cosina) LTM lenses as
they appear to sell at low prices on eBay UK."
    @me: "<quote>
The Jupiters (1930's Zeiss designs) can be excellent - quality control 
and sample variation permitting. At their best, they are much better 
than Leitz LTM lenses (exception being the Elmars - with their pros & 
cons - and the rare LTM Summicrons). At their worst they are... useless!
Best periods: It is said that lenses from the 1950's & 1960's + very 
recent ones are more likely to be properly assembled. I won't guess at 
the statistics involved. Your best bet is to buy them from a reliable 
source (where they have been checked and - if necessary - adjusted) or 
buy several cheaply and cherry pick. Date alone might improve your 
chances, but is no htran@example.com.
Unfortunately I can't tell you which Leitz LTM lenses will couple with 
Soviet bodies."
    @me: "<quote>
If you can examine it, you can tell: It should have RF coupling ring 
which has a constant height all the way around (like the Soviets do)."
    @neil: "Anyone know what optical design the 90mm Elmar uses?
I mostly see the brushed chrome version but have noted a black version.
I fancied a 90mm Elmar before a Jupiter 9 because it is rather a lottery
getting a good J9."
    @me: "<quote>
The 50mm Elmar was a Zeiss Tessar clone (at least at first).
The 90mms were mostly also 4 element designs, though some used 3. There 
was constant evolution through time.
All brands tweaked their "Tessars" (aka Skopar, Xenar and many others) 
through time, so it is difficult to assign a precise scheme to any "design".
There are web pages which discuss the merits of the different Elmar 
versions."
    @me: " > Anyone know what optical design the 90mm Elmar uses?
 > I mostly see the brushed chrome version but have noted a black version.
 > I fancied a 90mm Elmar before a Jupiter 9 because it is rather a lottery
 > getting a good J9.
 >
 >
The 50mm Elmar was a Zeiss Tessar clone (at least at first).
The 90mms were mostly also 4 element designs, though some used 3. There 
was constant evolution through time.
All brands tweaked their "Tessars" (aka Skopar, Xenar and many others) 
through time, so it is difficult to assign a precise scheme to any "design".
There are web pages which discuss the merits of the different Elmar 
versions.
As far as the J9 is concerned, I probably mentioned that I am a "lucky 
lottery winner" so am hardly objective...
But also Leica (esp. the older ones) is prone to flaws: Haze is a 
typical fault in the 1950'-60's production and the early non-coated ones 
will deliver low contrast (some people find that an advantage, esp. for 
portraits, though the J9 at f/2.0 is a good slightly soft portrait lens)."
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