Tair2 - FS2

Hello,

I have just bought a Tair 2 lens; one of those which were mounted on the wartime KMZ photosnipers.

My purpose is of course to take photos with that lens. For that, the first thing is to convert the 44mm screw mount into 39mm (or 42mm) to be mounted on a camera. But what about this 44mm screw? 44x1, 44x0,75, other? And does such a converter exist? I have not found any...

The second is to know precisely the distance between the lens and the film, through the original mirror cage. In other words, what is the thickness of this cage? It would greatly help to know that, if I want to put something like a Kilfitt/Novoflex/Visoflex between the lens and the body (which should be a Fed NKVD, of course!).

Thanks for your help! Especially to the members who own a complete photosniper...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Many thanks, Alex.
So, as the seller told me it should be a 44mm, no doubt it's a M44x1 (and not a M46x0,75).
So, to obtain the M42 or M39, it seems that I only have the transitional solution of the T mount. I have not found any direct M44/M42 ring (or M44/M39).

So, it would be M44 female/T male, then T female/M42 male. No problem to obtain the M39 after, if necessary.

That would allow to mount the lens on my A7 to have the first trials.
Unless somebody has a better solution?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

In fact, there are several solutions to go from M44 to M39... The most difficult is to find "something" in female M44!
To go further, I miss the thickness of the original photosniper mirror box. The original Visoflex I is 62,5mm thick; the FS2 one is visibly thicker ...

Jacques.

I use my later version (KOMZ) with KP A/M42 (T mount like), it works, but it doesn't feel safe, naturely.

Thanks, Pierre.
I allow myself to give the link to your photos made with a Tair:
http://pierretizien-photos.blogspot.fr/2014/11/fs-2-tair-2-30cm45-paris.html
I love these pastel tones.

Just to know: what is the overall length of your lens in order to shoot on your A7? If I understand zenitcamera, it's 270mm, probably up to the M44 mount only.

Jacques.

For those who are interested by this lens, an other link towards a very useful page:
http://lens-club.ru/lenses/item/c_4281.html

Finally, I have ordered a special M44x1 female/M39 male converter at Rafcamera's. Eager to receive and try all that!

Jacques.

So, I have received a good part of my puzzle.
The Tair 2 is there. A beautiful and strong lens, really very well made with an helicoid precise and without any wobbles. A converter ring, specially made by rafcameras: there is no normal F44x1mm/M39x1 available. And a Visoflex I.

Alexander K. had sent me the dimensions of his reflex cage (78mm thick). It largely helped me. Thanks!

First trial on a Fed NKVD. But the position of the camera is not right with the Visoflex I. I should turn the lens plate of c.15° because the mirror of the Visoflex does not turn with its ring. Impossible. So, I will buy a Visoflex II...

No problem on the Sony 7, except some vignetting on the corners.


Perhaps it is the ring: 44/39 is quite "slopy". Anyway, another ring must be made as the actual one is 3,5mm too short to get infinity.

All that is encouraging, I think. I have ordered a "Dasco gunstock camera stabilizer" to try all the stuff... Sorry for the purists, the original FS2 will be for an other life!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Another photo (my neighbour's roof). The vignetting is well visible.



Really, the lens is astonishing...

A pic lens/Viso/Sony. Uneasy to shoot with that...

The Visoflex II is here. The new calculated 39mm/44mm is on the way.
I just have some problems with the stock: difficult to find one which fits correctly, because of the weight and the excentric balance. The Dasco I have received was broken, so I look for another solution. Probably I will have to adapt a "real" gunstock to my photographic purpose...


Jacques.

This vignetting is strange! I never noticed vignetting on mine, but I have only the "reedition" from 1963, not the "real" war-time FS-2, maybe that's why.

These ones are better... Always no correction, but taken on a sunny day. Less vignetting, as it seems.
The new converter will be 4,5mm more on the 44mm side. So, the narrow will be moved towards the Visoflex of this same distance. Perhaps it will change something, if the vignetting is mechanical?

Jacques.

Here is "my" photosniper. In fact, an international one, with a Ukrainian body, a Russian lens, a Belorussian converter, an English cradle. I don't know for the stock itself...

A heavy and steady item... To be perfectly usable, I must soften the release mechanism, much too stiff. And for the moment, I have to dismount all the mess to load the camera! Not very fast!

I will post some photos made with that photosniper when I receive the appropriate converter.

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Two photos (recut: a shutter on my Fed is not in a good mood) made with "my" photosniper. Far from being perfect, but I am happy to see that infinity is there, on the first photo.
(Fuji film 200ASA, 1/60th, f 5,6).





Amitiйs. Jacques.

I have changed the NKVD body: I have the choice...
A photo made with this new one.



No more problem with the shutters, that time. Just a bit vignetting on the left. And I will have to check the register, not made on that body.

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Another one.



Sorry, no artistic point of view. Only what I see from my office to infinity.

Jacques.