Avenon, Komura, Kobalux LTM Komura 35mm F3.8 and 105mm F2.8

Avenon, Komura, Kobalux lenses

David Murphy

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I bought this pair of lenses from another member here a couple of months ago or so. I've finally gotten around to testing them, so I thought I'd share the results.

The 35/3.5 was tested on a Canon VT using ISO 100 color print film from the 99-cent store, processed at the corner drug store, and scanned on my Dimage Dual IV scanner. The 105mm F2.8 Komura airplane shot was taken through the window of Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) using expired Provia 400F, a Bessa R, processed at Walmart, and scanned on the same Dimage IV scanner. The 105/2.8 shot of the cranes was taken through a glass window on the Vancouver Sea Bus. No filters were used on any of the lenses.

No sharpening was done, but slight exposure and color adjustments were made after scanning. In fact some sharpening would have been justified since the scanner resolution is probably less than the film grain size, so the images can be made noticeably sharper if desired (hard to tell that here though with the limited image sizes of the WWW).

My physical impression of these lenses is that the build quality is quite high and they are wonderfully compact, especially the 35/3.5 -- tiny. They look great too!

Lenses:

komurapair.jpg


105/2.8 at LAX:

DS080216221142.jpg



105/2.8 in Vancoluver Harbor:

DS080216215752.jpg



The next three were taken on the Cal Tech campus of Pasadena and in an neighborhood near there (Altadena):

DS080217194635.jpg


DS080217183937.jpg


DS080217183725.jpg


DS080217191920.jpg
 
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I purchased a fairly ugly Leica III this fall, that came with a 3.8 ( maybe 3.5 ?) Komura 35mm...

It was the first time I'd ever heard of "Komura", but I shot some pics with it in December, and was pleased with the results...


Luddite Frank
 
Yeah, I don't want to create an impression that the Komura lenses were some kind of cult classic, they weren't. Just basic low-cost alternatives to German LTM lenses, and competent performers. I have managed to snag a few cheaply because no one knows what they are - some however, were for M42 and they can confuse, so you might end up with an M42 lens if the seller does not know what they have. They are often dirty, but easy to disassemble and clean. Focus is often stiff - haven't found a good cure for that yet. Found one with focus locked at infinity - never did find a way to take it apart to unlock that...
 
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