Komura 80mm f1.8 by Sankyo Kohki for Nikon RF

[UV76]

Here are some sample images from Komura 80mm f1.8 by Sankyo Kohki.

F1.8 soap bubbles

F2.8

F4

F8

 

[the_hunter]

Great Images! They make me want one even more, too bad they are so hard to find. What film did you use?

 

[UV76]

Great Images! They make me want one even more, too bad they are so hard to find. What film did you use?

Fuji color 100, my default film stock

 

[johannielscom]

Komura lenses are great. I have a page listing the LTM versions on my website, including their other-brand badged models to facilitate anyone looking to buy one.
https://johanniels.com/komura-rangefinder-lenses-overview/

 

[raid]

All fast Komura tele lenses are very costly these days. They are collectible. Are they of the same or higher quality than, say, a black Canon ltm 85/1.8?

 

[David Murphy]

Absolutely beautiful images, thanks for posting. These old Komura lenses are really just amazing.

 

[bluesun267]

I finally obtained a good condition Komura 135/2.8 LTM lens. Took me 3 tries: the first two were impossibly hazed with etched inner elements. I must say the build and finish (black paint) rivals anything made by Canon or Nikon of the time. I'm developing the first roll as we speak. The 80/1.8 is on my wish list (LTM) but it seems just about unobtainium

 

[johannielscom]

Raid,

I have no experience with the 80mm 1.8 or any similar Canon or Nippon lenses so I cannot answer your question. But I did own an LTM 80mm 3.5 made by Sankyo Optical (the Komura manufacturer) at one time and it was a terrific lens both in images and finish.


Currently I only own a 35mm 3.5 W.Komura for Leica LTM. It took me a long time to find a really clean example made in brass. The vast majority of these is made in an alloy. While the alloy ones are very good already optically, the brass lens is also a real looker IMHO. A bit like the prettiest girl in class who doesn't know so herself... 😉

 

[raid]

Thanks for showing us your beautiful "girl", Johan. I may have one Komura lens. I need to find it.

 

[raid]

My lens is a Komura 105mm 3.5. Not a fast lens.

 

[UV76]

Komura lenses are great. I have a page listing the LTM versions on my website, including their other-brand badged models to facilitate anyone looking to buy one.
https://johanniels.com/komura-rangefinder-lenses-overview/

Thank you for your invaluable insights!
My knowledge is limited to Nikon RF. From what I know, for Nikon RF, there were 35mm f2.8, 80mm f1.8, 105mm f2.8 and 135mm f3.5, and later 135mm f2.8 and 105mm f2.

The first telephoto Komura lens for Nikon RF introduced was the 80/1.8 around 1957. Its Ernostar-type (4 group 5 elements) formula gives unique bokeh seen in my sample images, quite different from Nikon's Sonnar-type Nikkor PC 8.5cm f2 or Nikkor SC 8.5cm f1.5 lenses.

 

[raid]

Thank you for your invaluable insights!
My knowledge is limited to Nikon RF. From what I know, for Nikon RF, there were 35mm f2.8, 80mm f1.8, 105mm f2.8 and 135mm f3.5, and later 135mm f2.8 and 105mm f2.

The first telephoto Komura lens for Nikon RF introduced was the 80/1.8 around 1957. Its Ernostar-type (4 group 5 elements) formula gives unique bokeh seen in my sample images, quite different from Nikon's Sonnar-type Nikkor PC 8.5cm f2 or Nikkor SC 8.5cm f1.5 lenses.

Was the Komura 105mm 3.5 ever made in Nikon mount? It seems that there was a 105mm in 2.0, 2.8, and 3.5 by Komura.

Johan's website shows only two of these three 105mm lenses: [TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 8, cellspacing: 1"]
[TR]
[TD]Komura[/TD]
[TD]105mm[/TD]
[TD]2.0[/TD]
[TD]16.0[/TD]
[TD]58mm[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Komura[/TD]
[TD]105mm[/TD]
[TD]2.8[/TD]
[TD]22.0[/TD]
[TD]48mm[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Actually, other websites on Komura lenses also do not show (my) 105mm 3.5 ltm. There exists a 105/3.5 as an enlarger lens by Sankyo Koki Chibanon (not Komura). Weird. Is my lens "rare" in ltm?

Ref: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Sankyō_Kōki#Komura_39mm_Leica.2FCanon_RF_mount_lenses

"

• 105mm f/3.5, manufactured on demand, 1955[SUP][9][/SUP]

Cameras equipped with early lenses by Sankyō Kōki:

• some examples of the Semi Frank have an E. Chibanone lens (an early spelling variant);
• Chibanon or Chibanone (チバノン) lenses were advertised on the Copenflex and Sanon Six;
• another lens perhaps called Chibar (チバー) was advertised on the Sanon Six II."

 

[raid]

I have found out that Brian S has a thread on such a 105mm 3.5 ltm lens (posted here last January- March). He does not think highly of it. Canon and Nikon make better lenses in the focal length. It is "rare', though.

Brian said : "This is a fairly uncommon lens in Leica mount. It is similar in construction to the 135mm F3.5 Komura"

 

[keytarjunkie]

I know of the Komura 105mm f/3.5 LTM, but to my knowledge I have never seen one in Nikon S-mount. Same with the 135mm f/2.8. I would love to see a photo of either of these for Nikon. Anyway, really interesting lenses, especially the 80mm f/1.8.

 

[peterm1]

My lens is a Komura 105mm 3.5. Not a fast lens.

Raid I have the same lens (plus the 135mm f3.5 and a 135mm f2.8. Plus also, a Super Acall branded 135mm f3.5 which I believe is made by Sankyo Komura. All are really very good - my only gripe with them being a small one - in that like many lenses of this era they tend to be a little low in contrast due no doubt to the coating technology used at the time. As to the 105mm f3.5, my initial impressions (and they are only initial as I have not owned it for long) is that the Canon LTM 100mm f3.5 performs a bit better not not hugely so. Given the Canon's reputation this is not surprising but it also speaks well of the Komura. All of mine are in LTM.

 

[UV76]

I know of the Komura 105mm f/3.5 LTM, but to my knowledge I have never seen one in Nikon S-mount. Same with the 135mm f/2.8. I would love to see a photo of either of these for Nikon. Anyway, really interesting lenses, especially the 80mm f/1.8.

My apologies.
Corrections: for 135mm f2.8 is for Nikon F (not RF). For your reference, here is a EPOI catalogue thanks to Pacific Rim Camera with a list of Komura lenses for different camera brands/mounts (including LTM) (this came out after 1962 hence Komura lenses for Nikon RF had been already been discontinued..)

https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01662/01662.pdf

 

[Trask]

Both of my Komura lenses are LTM: a 105mm f/2.5 Komura/Sankyo Kohki with hood, caps and finder, and a W.Komura 35mm f/3.5. Re: the latter, I’d not heard that there were brass and not-brass lenses; as seen in the photos, it appears mine is brass. I haven’t shot the 105mm much, but the 35mm has gotten some use on my IIIa.

 

[johannielscom]

Raid, your post has reminded me of a lens I own and which was packed away so far. Since my divorce I moved house twice in 14 months, some things still needed unpacking...

A Sankyo Optical Works Ltd. made lens, marked Komura- 1.5m/m 3.5. Complete set with caps, viewfinder and case. Very clean. Four-digit serial number, bright and matte chrome. I'm thinking this is brass too, it is quite heavy.

I have to disagree with Brian, mine is remarkably sharp wide open already, which is quite an accomplishment for a 1950s lens.

I have added both your lens and my own to the listing on my website https://johanniels.com/komura-lenses-for-leica-cameras-overview/

 

[johannielscom]

Both of my Komura lenses are LTM: a 105mm f/2.5 Komura/Sankyo Kohki with hood, caps and finder, and a W.Komura 35mm f/3.5. Re: the latter, I’d not heard that there were brass and not-brass lenses; as seen in the photos, it appears mine is brass. I haven’t shot the 105mm much, but the 35mm has gotten some use on my IIIa.

Trask, never saw a 105mm 2.5 for Leica before, can you tell me what the minimum aperture and filter size are and I'll include it in my listing.

raid, what is the filter size and minimum aperture on your lens please?

TIA guys

 

[raid]

Both of my Komura lenses are LTM: a 105mm f/2.5 Komura/Sankyo Kohki with hood, caps and finder, and a W.Komura 35mm f/3.5. Re: the latter, I’d not heard that there were brass and not-brass lenses; as seen in the photos, it appears mine is brass. I haven’t shot the 105mm much, but the 35mm has gotten some use on my IIIa.

I have seen online a post in which 5 versions of the Komura 105/3.5 were discussed. Most likely, your lens has KOMURA written in script and not in block letters. Versions 1 and 2 had such labeling.