MFlenses - A new life in a digital age
MFLenses 2026

Manual Focus Lenses Forum

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
logovectorizer.com
Spotlight

Featured partner placement for the forum front page.

Russian 'A' mount lenses and adapters
Post new topic Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  


Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:11 pm
Post subject: Russian 'A' mount lenses and adapters
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:11 pm
Post subject: Russian 'A' mount lenses and adapters
Reply
A member was asking me if it would make sense making Russian A mount adapter.

I have to confess ... i do not know anything about Russian 'A' mount lenses.

Can anyone provide more information about what lenses come in 'A' mount and if these are any good?

Also, more information about the 'A' mount itself is also very welcome


Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:55 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:55 pm
Post subject:
Reply
A mount lenses : Jupiter 11A, Jupiter 37A, Tair 11A (all 135 mm), Jupiter 21A (200 mm), Mir 10A (28 mm). I think that the mirrors are also "A" mount. There's also a Mir 1A (37 mm) which I think is "A" mount. It's quite rare.

You can use the outer ring of some T2-X adapters where X is the desired mount - Nikon F, Pentax K, M42 etc. Note the use of the word some - not all will work.

There are several threads about this subject on the forum.

Here's a picture of a Tair 11A for sale ...

Click here to see on Ebay

You can see the M42 mount on the lens. It's held on by 3 screws. The M39 mount is also shown.

Last edited by sichko on Sun May 02, 2010 2:00 pm; edited 1 time in total


Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Russian 'A' mount lenses and adapters
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 1:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Russian 'A' mount lenses and adapters
Reply
hk300 wrote:
A member was asking me if it would make sense making Russian A mount adapter.

I have to confess ... i do not know anything about Russian 'A' mount lenses.

Can anyone provide more information about what lenses come in 'A' mount and if these are any good?

Also, more information about the 'A' mount itself is also very welcome


This is interchangeable mount, there are M42, Nikon and Pentax adapters. People claim it is the same as outer part of T-mount and there are several T-mount adapters on the market (e.g. made by Kood) that can be safely used instead of dedicated A-mount adapters.

There are not too many lenses having this type of mount: Jupiter-11A, Jupiter-37A, Jupiter-21A, Tair-11A, Mir-10A. You can recognize them by a letter 'A' in their names.


Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:23 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:23 pm
Post subject:
Reply
I would doubt that it would economically make sense...


Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:31 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:31 am
Post subject:
Reply
I've been hunting for a supplier of those A mount suppliers as my Tair 11AA came with the 39 mm thread. Anyone got any ideas of who supplies them?
Alex. I have one of those "A" mounts for what I'd be guessing is the old Leica 39mm mount if you need something to look at.


Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 10:45 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 10:45 am
Post subject:
Reply
Johnno your best bet for 'A' adapters are the Russian ebay guys such as Biggerby, Alex photo goods, confdtnt, etc but they are expensive esp with postage. Alternatively a T2 mount outside ring will do as its held on with 3 grub screws- but they do vary in size so some fit better than others plus if its a lot wider, like my Pentax K T2 mount, it can fall off as the screws are only just holding the lens. AFAIK the original Russian 'A' mounts came in m39, m42, Nikon F and Pentax K, but there may have been more. Very Happy- p.s the mount you have is more likely to be Zenit m39 than Leica m39.


Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 12:19 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 12:19 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Poolhall, It's the shorter register, pretty much the same as the one on the Tair 11A in 39m that doesn't reach infinity. I've got several M42 lenses with the same type of adapter that I've compared it to. Zenit M39 does an infinity focus if I'm correct. The PK A mounts might be worth hunting up I'm thinking as I can then batch convert all my lenses with that A adapter to suit my camera mount.


Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
No prob mate didnt know they existed in Leica m39 but it would make sense, and you are right Zenit m39 would reach infinity . Very Happy Funny I have been after Pentax K mounts myself for the same reason as you- the only one I have seen is here Click here to see on Ebay and its very dear, espcially when postage is added Shocked


Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 7:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 7:59 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Thaks for that link Poolhall, just sent him a message re a batch buy.
I'm guessing some of the modern Zenit lenses use the same adapter so popped of a message to Zenit Cameras website to see if they also carry the adapter.


Post
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:31 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:31 pm
Post subject:
Reply
I took a good look at these adapters, and i think it is not too difficult to have a few made.







However, can anyone tell me what the innerdiameter is of this mount, or in other words, what is the outerdiameter of the RussianA lens without an adapter?

After i get this info, I can estimate if it will be possible to have a few made.

regards,
Alex


Post
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:25 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:25 pm
Post subject:
Reply
hk300 wrote:

However, can anyone tell me what the innerdiameter is of this mount, or in other words, what is the outerdiameter of the RussianA lens without an adapter?


Inner diameter of mount: 49mm
Outer height of mount (top to M42 flange): 9.5mm
Inner height of mount (top to narrower internal part): ~6mm

Height of groove for screws (on lens): ~2.6mm
Best guess at distance of groove (on lens) from top of mount: ~1.4mm

Measured from Tair-11A.


Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:10 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:10 am
Post subject:
Reply
Arkku wrote:
hk300 wrote:

However, can anyone tell me what the innerdiameter is of this mount, or in other words, what is the outerdiameter of the RussianA lens without an adapter?


Inner diameter of mount: 49mm
Outer height of mount (top to M42 flange): 9.5mm
Inner height of mount (top to narrower internal part): ~6mm

Height of groove for screws (on lens): ~2.6mm
Best guess at distance of groove (on lens) from top of mount: ~1.4mm

Measured from Tair-11A.


Thanks!
Based on this information I believe that it is possible to make these 'A' adapters.
Now i just need to know if there is enough demand ...


Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 8:28 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 8:28 am
Post subject:
Reply
Hi Alex I would be interested in say 3/4 Pentax k if possible and 2 Zenit m39 if there's enough demand for a batch. Very Happy


Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 9:26 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 9:26 am
Post subject:
Reply
Alex,I'd be interested in 4 of the Pentax/PK version.
How many would you consider a worthwhile batch?


Post
Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 3:47 am
Post subject: I'll take 3 for Pentax K mount
Reply
Post
Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 3:47 am
Post subject: I'll take 3 for Pentax K mount
Reply
I have (so far) just one "A" mount lens. I agree with the 49 mm inside measurment but can't comment on the rest since I do not have one to fit my Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Telemegor 5.5 400 mm lens. I bought it with a Canon FD mount already on it which I removed to change it with a T-mount adapter to Pentax K mount. To my surprise it didn't fit. I took the inner ring out and it didn't fit. Upon careful examination I realized that the FD adapter had been milled down to around 49 mm. That was Jan '09. Upon recurring research I have found out that the "original" T-mount stood for Telescope mount not Tamron or Taisei. Tamron came up with the 42 mm x .75 pitch steel insert inside the 49 mm original housing. So for Tamron lenses of that time it was a T-mount and shortly after was referred to as a T2-mount. The Japanese and the Russians had notoriously bad relations in most of the first 5 to 7 decades of the twentieth century so I shouldn't have been so surprised to find out it was based on a Russian mount.

Alex if you can produce some of these I will take 4 for the PK, Pentax K mount. I am thinking it would be good if the outer edge of the mount was at least 5 mm from the inner mounting surface. I visualize a significant amount of load on those 3 set screws. My Meyer does Not have the shallow groove for the set screws. I have no idea if this too was machined but I really doubt it, I just think it was never there. Without the groove one could move the mount in and out over a range of a couple of mm helping to fine tune any given lens for infinity as well as ensuring an upright printing on top orientation. I increased the requested number since I think I have additional lenses that could use this mount adapter and I have my eye out for some of the old lenses. Thanks, Alan.


Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:13 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:13 am
Post subject:
Reply
What makes you think the Telemegor is an A mount lens?

Eugen


Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:37 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:37 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Eugen Mezei wrote:
What makes you think the Telemegor is an A mount lens?

Eugen


Nothing else explains it's mounting. It is not a T2 mount. I have several of those. It has no threads and the smooth mount is 49 mm in diameter. I have been researching it for a year now after I discovered that the mount that came on it had been specially modified from a T2 to fit it. If I take the inner thread ring out of the T2 mount I have for it comes close to fitting but is still 2-3 mm to small inside the mount. I am open to suggestions.


Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:48 pm
Post subject:
Reply
kacansas03 wrote:
Eugen Mezei wrote:
What makes you think the Telemegor is an A mount lens?


Nothing else explains it's mounting. It is not a T2 mount.


Alternative explanation: It's neither T2 or A-mount, but e.g. one manufacturer's proprietary way to simplify the manufacture of the same lens for different systems.


Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 4:33 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 4:33 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Arkku wrote:
kacansas03 wrote:
Eugen Mezei wrote:
What makes you think the Telemegor is an A mount lens?


Nothing else explains it's mounting. It is not a T2 mount.


Alternative explanation: It's neither T2 or A-mount, but e.g. one manufacturer's proprietary way to simplify the manufacture of the same lens for different systems.

Maybe. I researched Meyer-Optik from the mid '50s and they were selling their lenses for everyone's camera. There is a section at the rear of lens that could unscrew and be changed for the intended camera mount and registration distance. I have seen these 'Telemegor' lenses with many mounts and the rear cone always looks just a bit different. I actually met a German once while using the lens that stated he was surprised at seeing it on a Japanese camera. He looked it over good and told me it was made in '57(in the serial number) but had gone back somewhere much later for multicoating of the elements. One piece of evidence is that you can see they are coated in the light reflections looking into the lens when not mounted on the camera. Second is another number etched into the solid aluminum tripod mount that has a very different number plus letter code which this man meant it went to a factory to be coated. At that time it could have been modified for a Canon FD mount by way of trimming a T2 mount down till it fit. I did use this extensively on my Canon FD manual equipment with several teleconverters and this is the only lens I was able to successfully take a good photo with a 3X TC behind it. Given it's f5.5 wide open it didn't make sense but the photos of Grand Teton's glaciers and the peak itself came out well. Even in a 4x6 print you can see the smoke from the fires to the west in 2003 streaming over and around the peak. However I have misplaced that photo, I find it I'll scan it.
And by the way I cannot budge the set screws that lock the sections together. It takes a better flat screwdriver than I own plus the sections with out the set screws do not wish to unscrew from each other. Everything is fine thread and was obviously put together permanently. I can not even unscrew the hood.


Post
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:12 am
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 12:12 am
Post subject:
Reply
Alex, have you made a decision yet about getting some of those A mounts for PK bodies?


Post
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:45 pm
Post subject:
Reply
Post
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:45 pm
Post subject:
Reply
SRB Griturn here in the UK will make custom adaptors, possibly they already have dimesions etc?

http://www.srb-griturn.com/adaptors-made-to-order-382-c.asp

SRB are a decent firm and make good quality stuff, there's a lot of adaptors on their web site.

http://www.srb-griturn.com/camera-adaptors-306-c.asp

I have no connection with them, I'm just a happy customer.
Post new topic Reply to topic
Page 1 of 1