Soviet lenses go digital

I will not pretend that I shoot film only. Like most of us I shoot digital. I always wanted to try Soviet lenses on a digital camera, but the choice used to be exotic and expensive (Leica M8, M9, Epson R-D1).

I recently bought an Olympus E-P1. For those who missed this new development, the camera has a Micro Four Thirds mount. Currently only Olympus and Panasonic make them. These cameras are basically DSLRs without a mirror, with the LCD display used for shooting (like in most Point and Shoot cameras). The Micro 4/3 cameras have a very short flange back length (AKA back focus or registration) - around 20mm. This allows use of Leica mount lenses (both thread and M mounts, with back focus of 28.8mm and 27.8mm respectively).

Of course, there are many adapters available now for such application. There are some limitations, of course - the camera has to be used in fully manual mode, and because a small sensor the crop factor is 2x. I.e a 50mm Jupiter-8 lens works like a 100mm lens. Also, lenses with protruding elements, like J-12 and Russar, can not be used.

But still, I started shooting with the J-8 and I like the results. I'll post some pictures later, but the hardware pictures are below.

The Olympus E-P1 mount.


With the Micro 4/3 to Leica M adapter.



Leica M to 39mm adapter added.



And - voilа!! A Jupiter-3 is ready.



This is Orion-15



And my current working setup - a black Jupiter-8.



As a side note - I do not work for or sell Olympus or Panasonic cameras.

yes I agree ...I did it last week for a friend which neeed a Tele lens going to Kenian Safari .
I fit easily the camera on a Tair sniper and whith a 500mm Rubinar on Omlympus E500.
He shoot Lions , Hypopotamus etc whith success.
Soviets lenses are allready good economic lenses !!!

Cool!

I have seen the new Olympus Pen. Nice camera, but I never thought of mounting M39 lenses on it. :-)

Very nice Yuri ... looks like a great working camera and the Russian lenses look great on it! Maybe I will get me one of those! Thanks for the photos of it.

Regards, Bill

This setup is also a very simple but effective collimator for LTM lenses - it allows checking the lenses at infinity, and if necessary calibrating them.

This sounds fantastic - now I need
A ] The camera
B ] Kiev / Contax adapter
LOL .
I use a Fed collapsible on my M8 and love it - other lenses [ J8 / I61 ] don't seem to focus accurately .