Re: Russian lenses: it's true

[Stephen Gandy <cameras@jetlink.net>]

Rainer Mueller wrote:
> 
> I just received the first roll of film shot with my new Russian
> lenses: a Russar 5.6/20mm and a Jupiter-3 1.5/50mm. We have
> heard repeatedly (mostly by Marc and by joe b.) the stories about
> the wonderful performance of Russian lenses, and at least for theses
> two they are true.
>
> BTW: the Russar viewfinder sits very loose on the accy shoe, and
> I let it fall down to the street. Now the front element is a bit shaky
> inside (it can move a bit back and forth). Does anybody know whether
> this is normal or whether it was caused by the fall? It's the
> rectangular model.
>
If you have the later (and better) square black viewfinder with a
rocking horse type parralax correction, the front comes off easily--too
easily.  I had the same problem, until I removed the elements and used a
bit of glue to get them to stay.  Luckily I did not have to do that with
the lens.

A few months ago I bought a 35 and 85 Russian LTM.   I brought them back
within 10 minutes when one would literally not screw onto my Leica IIIF,
and the other would not mate properly to the RF cam.

The three Russars I bought, were great through.

I can only suggest that when you buy one, try one on a Leica body before
you pay for it.

Stephen Gandy