Compact Systems Cameras and Soviet Lenses

I'm seeking some advice re purchasing a Compact System Camera (i.e., mirrorless system) that would be good for using some of my Soviet lenses. I'd probably seek out a used camera as I want to use it mainly for experimenting with my Soviet lenses (plus maybe some other old lenses) and not for other purposes with modern lenses. Am I right to think that it has got to be a micro four thirds type camera, i.e., one in the Olympus or Panasonic Lumix micro four thirds range, rather than any of the other mirrorless systems cameras? I have some 42 screw fit Soviet lenses but also a lot that are 39 screw fit, and want a mirrorless digital camera that I can experiment with using both these types of lenses. I know I'll need an adapter for both 42 and 39 fit to do this.

It would be great to hear from anyone who has experimented along these lines and has any suggestions and advice.

One related specific question regards collapsable 39 rangefinder lenses like the Fed and Zorki. I've done a quick measurment and it seems my Fed collapsable lenses collapse by 18mm, whilst I believe the depth from mount to sensor of the micro four thirds cameras is 20mm. Is this correct and does it mean that you can actually collapse these lenses in a Olympus or Panasonic Lumic micro four thirds, for example, without damaging the sensor?

Another question is that it seems I can use the same micro four thirds adaptor for Soviet 39 rangefinder as I would for 39 Soviet screw fit SLR Soviet lenses. It might seem a silly question but is this correct?

Regards
Dave

Hi Dave,

I don't know how much you want to spend but probably your budget choice should probably be Olympus EP-L1, or maybe Sony NEX-3. I used to shoot Sony NEX-5 with Soviet lenses. No you cannot collapse collapsible lenses without damaging the electronics and sensor inside so I wouldn't try that (At least with Sony) . No you can't use M39 for both LTM and ZTM (zenit M39) mount lenses. Zenit lenses require longer backfocus, so the adapter would be longer. I had a Contax, M42 and M39(LTM) mounts that worked superbly with NEX-5. Adapters from China can cost you around $10 each if you're willing to wait for 3 weeks or so for delivery to UK, but they worked really good. I tried pretty much everything from FED F2 collapsible lens all the way to MTO-1000 .

Cheers,
Vlad

Hi Vlad

Thanks, that's really helpful.

When you say you used a Contax mount, do you mean a Contax rangefinder II/III/IIa/IIIa, rather than any other Contax? If so, does his mean you were able to use Kiev rangefinder lenses on the Sony NEX with the mount?

If anyone else has used any other compact/mirrorless systems cameras with adapters for Soviet lenses, ie, other than Sony NEX, I'd be pleased to hear what you have to say and what worked best.

Regards
Dave.

Sorry for the delayed reply, yes the adapter was actually for Kiev rangefinder mount lenses but only for the ones that have an outside mount like Jupiter-9.

Vlad