How to adapt Jupiter m39 threads for Sony A7r III

[Oscar Loveday]

Hello friends,

Please guide me to the adapters that allow for infinity focusing when using old Jupiter lenses with M39 threads to Sony E mount bodies.

I've read extensively about how there can be an issue with the focusing on the m39 lenses. I'd prefer to adapt the m39 rather than the m42 lenses. To keep the kit more compact.

I'm going to adapt:
Jupiter-8 f2 50mm
Jupiter-9 85mm f2

As a far distanced option I would contemplate buying the Voigtlander close focus adapter if it allows for m39 lenses to be used without adding a big spacer.

Many thanks.

Max

 

[Sjak]

There are 2 Soviet mounts with M39 thread. One is the common rangefinder-mount, also known as LTM (Leica Thread Mount) or L39, with a register distance of 28.8mm

The other is the Zenith SLR M39 mount, which, with 45.2mm, has a register distance almost identical to M42 SLR mount. The preferred versions are the pre-1960 (with the focusing tab) or the later black versions with better coatings (from the eighties)

The Jupiter-8 with 39mm thread was only made as a rangefinder lens. So for this lens, a normal M39-adapter, or a LM-adapter + a M39-LM-ring, will do.

With the Jupiter-9, you have to be careful, as it was made in both SLR and rangefinder versions:

SLR: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_51.html

Rangefinder: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2103.html

The problems with focusing occur in the following situations:

- a rangefinder-lens is mounted on an adapter with SLR-register-distance (will focus only close-up)

- a SLR-lens is mounted on an adapter with rangefinder register distance; will not focus at all. This is the most common issue when an "M39"-Jupiter will not focus.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Max

You should be able to get direct M39 to Sony E adapters quite cheaply.

They will allow the lens orientation to be adjusted and should be prefect infinity focus.

I have done this with quite a few M39 lenses but to the M4/3 mount.

 

[Proplus888]

There are 2 Soviet mounts with M39 thread. One is the common rangefinder-mount, also known as LTM (Leica Thread Mount) or L39, with a register distance of 28.8mm

The other is the Zenith SLR M39 mount, which, with 45.2mm, has a register distance almost identical to M42 SLR mount. The preferred versions are the pre-1960 (with the focusing tab) or the later black versions with better coatings (from the eighties)

The Jupiter-8 with 39mm thread was only made as a rangefinder lens. So for this lens, a normal M39-adapter, or a LM-adapter + a M39-LM-ring, will do.

With the Jupiter-9, you have to be careful, as it was made in both SLR and rangefinder versions:

SLR: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_51.html

Rangefinder: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2103.html

The problems with focusing occur in the following situations:

- a rangefinder-lens is mounted on an adapter with SLR-register-distance (will focus only close-up)

- a SLR-lens is mounted on an adapter with rangefinder register distance; will not focus at all. This is the most common issue when an "M39"-Jupiter will not focus.

This.

The 1st Soviet M39 lens I got was the Jupiter 8, which was very straight forward in adapting, just a M39 to NEX adapter.

Then I got a Mir-1B which took me down the hole of understanding flange distances as a M39 to NEX adapter wouldn't work, nor using a M39 to M42 ring and then M42 to NEX adapter. Had to get a M42 to NEX thin ring adapter, and then a M42 helicoid with a M39 to M42 ring.

 

[Sjak]

The 1st Soviet M39 lens I got was the Jupiter 8, which was very straight forward in adapting, just a M39 to NEX adapter.

The J8 is great; by now I actually prefer it over the J3 for most subject matter.

The J9 is a great lens if you find a good copy. The rangefinder versions usually are better than the SLR-versions regarding build quality and optical quality.

 

[SQLGuy]

There's also the Chaika half-frame that commonly has an Industar 69. IIRC, that's a bit longer than the LTM39 registration. Typically people will modify the lens to allow it to reach infinity on an LTM39 adapter.

Of course, it's half frame, so more suited to APS-C than an A7 series camera. And, even still, the Industar 69 is not a great lens.

 

[Sjak]

The Chaika was not really an interchangeable lens camera, but indeed, there are more lenses with M39 mount than those already mentioned. The I-69 is fun btw

A different category would be enlarger lenses without focusing helicoid.

 

[Proplus888]

The 1st Soviet M39 lens I got was the Jupiter 8, which was very straight forward in adapting, just a M39 to NEX adapter.

The J8 is great; by now I actually prefer it over the J3 for most subject matter.

The J9 is a great lens if you find a good copy. The rangefinder versions usually are better than the SLR-versions regarding build quality and optical quality.

Yup, totally agree on the Jupiter 8, and on an A7x it's so small. I had to regrease the focusing ring on mine, but that was pretty straight forward.

I've also got the Jupiter 9, rangefinder version as well, but I got it very cheap as the aperture blades were removed, so very glowy.

 

[D Cox]

There are 2 Soviet mounts with M39 thread. One is the common rangefinder-mount, also known as LTM (Leica Thread Mount) or L39, with a register distance of 28.8mm

The other is the Zenith SLR M39 mount, which, with 45.2mm, has a register distance almost identical to M42 SLR mount. The preferred versions are the pre-1960 (with the focusing tab) or the later black versions with better coatings (from the eighties)

The Jupiter-8 with 39mm thread was only made as a rangefinder lens. So for this lens, a normal M39-adapter, or a LM-adapter + a M39-LM-ring, will do.

With the Jupiter-9, you have to be careful, as it was made in both SLR and rangefinder versions:

SLR: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_51.html

Rangefinder: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2103.html

The problems with focusing occur in the following situations:

- a rangefinder-lens is mounted on an adapter with SLR-register-distance (will focus only close-up)

- a SLR-lens is mounted on an adapter with rangefinder register distance; will not focus at all. This is the most common issue when an "M39"-Jupiter will not focus.

This.

The 1st Soviet M39 lens I got was the Jupiter 8, which was very straight forward in adapting, just a M39 to NEX adapter.

Then I got a Mir-1B which took me down the hole of understanding flange distances as a M39 to NEX adapter wouldn't work, nor using a M39 to M42 ring and then M42 to NEX adapter. Had to get a M42 to NEX thin ring adapter, and then a M42 helicoid with a M39 to M42 ring.

Another possibility would be an M39 helicoid and an M39 extension tube. Or possibly an E-mount extension tube, with the helicoid next to the lens.

 

[Nixyz]

I'm still waiting for the J8 I purchased from Belarus 2 weeks ago. As for adapters, I purchase LTM to M adapter which I will stack with Leica M to NEX/Sony E helicoid adapter.

The Leica M helicoid adapter is a good purchase because it can increase the minimum focus distance of RF lenses which are known to be long.

 

[Sjak]

The Leica M helicoid adapter is a good purchase because it can increase the minimum focus distance of RF lenses which are known to be long.

decrease ;-)

The difference is not huge though, but it can make a difference, e.g. for dinnertable portraits.

 

[Peter J Davies]

I don't use it often but I have had no problems with my Jupiter 8 using a very low cost FOTGA M39 - NEX adapter:








Sony A3000 with a Jupiter 8 lens



--
Peter Davies

Peter Davies

Explore Peter Davies’s 1,231 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Proplus888]

The Leica M helicoid adapter is a good purchase because it can increase the minimum focus distance of RF lenses which are known to be long.

decrease ;-)

The difference is not huge though, but it can make a difference, e.g. for dinnertable portraits.

Definitely, I’ve often mounted the Jupiter 8 on using the Techart Pro, love getting AF and eyeAF on this distinctive lens.

 

[SLN001]

I might be able to address some of the confusion. The Jupiter 8 (and 3) usually have to have a minor adjustment (shimming) done to them to reach infinity on a Leica Rangefinder camera. The J-8 mount is almost an exact copy of the Leica mount but there is a different shape to the roller that can affect infinity focus. There are a lot of articles out on the internet that discuss having the J-8 adjusted to focus to infinity, but they do not apply to the Sony camera since it doesn't use the Leica rangefinder focus method.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I might be able to address some of the confusion. The Jupiter 8 (and 3) usually have to have a minor adjustment (shimming) done to them to reach infinity on a Leica Rangefinder camera. The J-8 mount is almost an exact copy of the Leica mount but there is a different shape to the roller that can affect infinity focus. There are a lot of articles out on the internet that discuss having the J-8 adjusted to focus to infinity, but they do not apply to the Sony camera since it doesn't use the Leica rangefinder focus method.