Komura Lenses for Bronica C-, S-, and EC-Series
Often dissed & dismissed, most of them deliver fine performance
By Jason Schneider
Komura was the most popular brand name used for the lenses made by SankyōKōki K.K., listed as Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd. in English language trademarks. The Tokyo-based company was already active in the early 1950s, began using the Komura brand name in 1953, and registered it as a U.S. Trademark in 1962. Like many smallish Japanese optical companies, they made fast lenses with unique specs in Leica screw mount in a successful effort to carve out a marketing niche. By the 1970s they developed the Komura Unidaptor System that enabled their 35mm format interchangeable lenses to be used on a variety of European and Japanese 35mm SLRs including Exakta, Pentax, Practica, Miranda, Nikon F, Ricoh Singlex, Petri, and Topcon.
By the mid ‘60s the company was turning out Komura and Super-Komura lenses for the Bronica S, C, and S2 (which also fit the S2A and the later EC series). These Komura lenses were acclaimed for their distinctive specs, many combining high speed and outstanding performance. Indeed, they unveiled a groundbreaking Komura 100mm f/2lens in 1964, though it’s exceedingly rare and now stratospherically priced. Komura lenses are well made, provided good value for the money, and were very popular in Japan, especially among Bronica fans where their 100mm and longer lenses are estimated to have handily outsold their often ponderous and costly Nikkor equivalents at greater than a 100:1 ratio. The earlier Komura S auto lenses have chrome/ black trimmed lens barrels. The later all black auto lenses sport a nifty and more handsome all black finish.
The elusive Komura 100mm f/2: It exists, but it's exceedingly rare and likely to command a princely price.
Komura also offered the innovative Bronica S mount Telemore 95 auto-diaphragm adapter, a well corrected, high quality, 7-elemernt, 6-group 2X tele-converter (produced in 2 cosmetically distinct versions) that doubles the focal length of anyattached auto diaphragm Komura, Nikkor, or Zenzanon lens while reducing its aperture by 2 stops. It’s placed in between the Bronica camera and the helical focusing mount of the lens and does noit affect the minimum focusing distance As with all such devices, it works best with longer lenses, in this case, those in the 100mm-500mm range. The Telemore 2x was apparently the only teleconverter ever made for the Bronica S system.
Komura Telemore 2X Converter, late version commonly used on Bronica EC. They're available at around $50 and they perform very well indeed.
Komura lenses in Bronica mount came in 2 delicious varieties: auto diaphragm in focal lengths ranging from the 45mm f/4.5 Super-Komura that was introduced later in 1970) to the 200mm f/3.5 and manually operated pre-set diaphragm lenses in focal lengths ranging from the 135mm f/2.3 to the 500mm f/7.0. The auto diaphragm lenses had their own fixed mounts. The rare 135/2.3 and 200/3.5 preset lenses used the Helical Focusing Mount No. 1. The 300mm f/4, 400mm f/6.3, and 500mm f/7, used Helical Focusing Mount No.2. Here’s a rundown of the Komura Bronica lenses for which full specs are available.
Auto Diaphragm Komura Lenses for Bronica C, S, and EC Series
Komura 45mm /4.5: Covering an impressive 83° angle of view, equivalent to a 24mm on the full frame 35mm format, it stops down to f/22, focuses down to 1 foot, measures 4.25 inches in length, weighs in at a skosh under 30 ounces, and takes 82mm screw-in filters. The later Super-Komura version, which is more common, is all black. This lens has an outstanding reputation for brilliance, sharpness, and very moderate off-axis falloff based on very positive reviews from hands-on users, and it’s available at online auction sites at $250-$450 based on condition.
Super-Komura 45mm f/4.5 is the later all black version but all have the same optics. It's an outstanding lens and a great value at current prices.
Komura 50mm f/3.5: This 8-element wide angle covers a 77°angle of view, stops down to f/22, focuses down to 1 foot for compelling closeups, measures 3.67 inches long, weighs in at 21 ounces, and takes 77mm filters. User reviews vary from outstanding to mediocre, but theconsensus is positive, and you can expect performance on a par with the corresponding 50mm f/3.5 Nikkor.
Super-Komura 50mm f/3.5. This is the later all black version but all use the same optics. Reviews vary, but most say it's verygood and well worth the $150-$200 asking price.
Komura 100mm f/2.8: A classic 5-element Heliar type this fast moderate telephoto delivers excellent image quality and detail across the field by f/4-5.6, classic rendition and beautiful bokeh, which makes it a favorite for portraiture. It’s also lighter and more compact than the equivalent 100mm f/2.8 Zenzanon, measuring 2.7 inches in length and weighing in at 13 ounces, and unlike the deep-set Zenzanon, mounting it on the Bronica EC doesn’t require any extra care to avoid breaking the bottom part of the 2-piece mirror assembly! It covers a 44° angle of view, stops down to f/22, focuses down to 3 feet, and takes 62mm screw-in filters.
Komura 100mm f/2.8: This compact medium tele is a great compact alternative to the equivalent Zenzanon but it's hard to find and pricey at $400-$500.
Komura 150mm f/3.5: A classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula lens this true telephoto is well balanced on camera and provides excellent central sharpness and detail at all apertures with the corners coming in by f/5.6. Despite its longish 6 foot minimum focusing distance it’s great choice for portraiture, has a smooth natural bokeh, and captures a pleasingly realistic perspective. It covers a 30° angle of view, it’s relatively lightweight and compact for a lens of its type, measuring
3.54 inches in length and weighing in at a portable 19 ounces, and it takes 62mm screw-in filters.
Komura 150mm f/3.5 is a superb portrait tele that's readily available at $150-$300 at online auction sites.
Komura 200mm f/3.5: This well corrected 5-element standard telephoto lens is equivalent to a 135mm lens for the 35mm format, and its extra reach makes it a fine choice for covering people and events from the sidelines and for indoor or outdoor portraits despite its relatively long 12 foot minimum focusing distance. Sharp and contrasty with pleasing bokeh, it covers a 21° angle of view, measures 4.64 inches in length and weighs in at 32 ounces, making it eminently useable for handheld shooting. It takes 67mm screw-in filters.
Komura 200mm f/3.5 is a great all-around telephoto that delivers excellent imaging performance at a very modest $100-$150 on the current used market.
Preset Diaphragm Komura Lenses for Bronica C, S, and EC Series
Komura 135mm f/2.3:Featuring an unusually wide f/2.3 aperture for a medium tele, this relatively rare 5-element classic focuses down to 5 feet making it a great choice for headshots. Its wide aperture facilitates the creative use of selective focus effects and low light shooting, and its beautiful bokeh enhances pictorial effects. Critically sharp across the field by f/4-5.6, the lens stops down to f/16, covers a 33° angle of view, measures 3.6 inches on length, and weighs in at a hand-holdable 19 ounces (without focusing helical). It focuses down to 5 feet and takes 72mm screw-in filters. Due to its scarcity and desirability, it commands premium prices on the used market.
Komura 135mm f/2.3 is an outstanding fast medium tele that's great for portraits and low light work, but it's rare, and pricey at about $600-800.
Komura 200mm f/3.5: This preset diaphragm version of the Komura 200mm is based on a similar 5-element design, but it’s shorter, substantially lighter and focuses closer than the auto diaphragm version, making it an even better choice for portraiture. It covers a 21° angle of view, focuses down to 10 feet, measures 4.15 inches in length, weighs in at 21 ounces without focusing helical adapter, and takes 67mm screw-in filters. All other comments on the auto diaphragm version apply to this lens as well.
Komura 300mm f/5.0: Based on the classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula, it’s much smaller and lighter than the ponderous 300mm f/4 Zenzanon of equivalent Nikkor, and performs commendably in terms of sharpness, contrast, and detail rendition. Its long reach makes it an excellent choice for sports and nature photography. Well balanced on camera, it covers a 15° angle of view, focuses down to 16 feet, measures 4.8 inches in length, takes 67mm screw-in filters, and weighs in at a surprisingly modest 17 ounces without focusing helical adapter,making at an excellent choice for handheld shooting.
Komura 300mm f/5 is much lighter and handier than its Nikkor or Xenzanon alternatives and its a pretty good deal at $250-$300.
Komura 400mm f/6.3: Amazingly lightweight and quite compact for a long telephoto this classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula lens is well corrected, delivers crisp high contrast imaging and is easy to focus despite its moderate f.6.3 maximum aperture. It’s a great lens for sports enthusiasts, hikers, travelers, and anyone that needs a long lens that’s easy to carry. It covers an 11° angle of view, focuses down to 18 feet, stops down to f/45, measures 5.9 inches in length, takes 67mm screw-in filters,and weighs in at only 20 ounces without focusing helical adapter.
Komura 500mm f/7.0: Great for capturing distant subjects such as wildlife, architectural details, and sports action, the longest Komura lens in Bronica mount employs a classic 4-element, 3-groupTessar formula to deliver sharp, high contrast, detailed images. Despite its modest f/7 aperture it’s easy to focus, and snaps into focus decisively when tracking action. The Komura 500 covers a narrow 9°angle of view, focuses down to 26 feet, stops down to f/45, takes 77mm screw-in filters,measures just under 8 inches in length, and weighs a reasonably light 33 ounces without focusing helical adapter. It works best atop a tripod using its built-in tripod platform but is hand-holdable at higher shutter speeds.
Over the past few years Komura lenses for 35mm cameras have attained a de facto cult status and are now offered at outlandish prices. That hasn’t happened yet in the case of Bronica mount Komura lenses, the exceptions being the ultra-wide 45mm f.4.5 Super-Komura that currently fetches $250-$350 on the used market, the 135mm f/2.3 Komura that generally goes for $600-$700 if you can find one, and the virtually nonexistent 100mm f/2 Komura.Examples: the 150mm f/3.5 Komura is readily available at around $150 for the regular version and $250-$300 for the later and rarer Super-Komura version. The 200mm f/3.5 Komura is widely offered at $100-$125 in the preset version, and at $125-$150 in the auto diaphragm version. The 50mm f/3.5 Komura wide angle is widely offered at $150-$200. The message: If you’re a focal-plane-shutter Bronica shooter looking to round out your focal length selection there are some pretty good deals out there now, but how long they’ll last is anybody’s guess.
Often dissed & dismissed, most of them deliver fine performance
By Jason Schneider
Komura was the most popular brand name used for the lenses made by SankyōKōki K.K., listed as Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd. in English language trademarks. The Tokyo-based company was already active in the early 1950s, began using the Komura brand name in 1953, and registered it as a U.S. Trademark in 1962. Like many smallish Japanese optical companies, they made fast lenses with unique specs in Leica screw mount in a successful effort to carve out a marketing niche. By the 1970s they developed the Komura Unidaptor System that enabled their 35mm format interchangeable lenses to be used on a variety of European and Japanese 35mm SLRs including Exakta, Pentax, Practica, Miranda, Nikon F, Ricoh Singlex, Petri, and Topcon.
By the mid ‘60s the company was turning out Komura and Super-Komura lenses for the Bronica S, C, and S2 (which also fit the S2A and the later EC series). These Komura lenses were acclaimed for their distinctive specs, many combining high speed and outstanding performance. Indeed, they unveiled a groundbreaking Komura 100mm f/2lens in 1964, though it’s exceedingly rare and now stratospherically priced. Komura lenses are well made, provided good value for the money, and were very popular in Japan, especially among Bronica fans where their 100mm and longer lenses are estimated to have handily outsold their often ponderous and costly Nikkor equivalents at greater than a 100:1 ratio. The earlier Komura S auto lenses have chrome/ black trimmed lens barrels. The later all black auto lenses sport a nifty and more handsome all black finish.
The elusive Komura 100mm f/2: It exists, but it's exceedingly rare and likely to command a princely price.
Komura also offered the innovative Bronica S mount Telemore 95 auto-diaphragm adapter, a well corrected, high quality, 7-elemernt, 6-group 2X tele-converter (produced in 2 cosmetically distinct versions) that doubles the focal length of anyattached auto diaphragm Komura, Nikkor, or Zenzanon lens while reducing its aperture by 2 stops. It’s placed in between the Bronica camera and the helical focusing mount of the lens and does noit affect the minimum focusing distance As with all such devices, it works best with longer lenses, in this case, those in the 100mm-500mm range. The Telemore 2x was apparently the only teleconverter ever made for the Bronica S system.
Komura Telemore 2X Converter, late version commonly used on Bronica EC. They're available at around $50 and they perform very well indeed.
Komura lenses in Bronica mount came in 2 delicious varieties: auto diaphragm in focal lengths ranging from the 45mm f/4.5 Super-Komura that was introduced later in 1970) to the 200mm f/3.5 and manually operated pre-set diaphragm lenses in focal lengths ranging from the 135mm f/2.3 to the 500mm f/7.0. The auto diaphragm lenses had their own fixed mounts. The rare 135/2.3 and 200/3.5 preset lenses used the Helical Focusing Mount No. 1. The 300mm f/4, 400mm f/6.3, and 500mm f/7, used Helical Focusing Mount No.2. Here’s a rundown of the Komura Bronica lenses for which full specs are available.
Auto Diaphragm Komura Lenses for Bronica C, S, and EC Series
Komura 45mm /4.5: Covering an impressive 83° angle of view, equivalent to a 24mm on the full frame 35mm format, it stops down to f/22, focuses down to 1 foot, measures 4.25 inches in length, weighs in at a skosh under 30 ounces, and takes 82mm screw-in filters. The later Super-Komura version, which is more common, is all black. This lens has an outstanding reputation for brilliance, sharpness, and very moderate off-axis falloff based on very positive reviews from hands-on users, and it’s available at online auction sites at $250-$450 based on condition.
Super-Komura 45mm f/4.5 is the later all black version but all have the same optics. It's an outstanding lens and a great value at current prices.
Komura 50mm f/3.5: This 8-element wide angle covers a 77°angle of view, stops down to f/22, focuses down to 1 foot for compelling closeups, measures 3.67 inches long, weighs in at 21 ounces, and takes 77mm filters. User reviews vary from outstanding to mediocre, but theconsensus is positive, and you can expect performance on a par with the corresponding 50mm f/3.5 Nikkor.
Super-Komura 50mm f/3.5. This is the later all black version but all use the same optics. Reviews vary, but most say it's verygood and well worth the $150-$200 asking price.
Komura 100mm f/2.8: A classic 5-element Heliar type this fast moderate telephoto delivers excellent image quality and detail across the field by f/4-5.6, classic rendition and beautiful bokeh, which makes it a favorite for portraiture. It’s also lighter and more compact than the equivalent 100mm f/2.8 Zenzanon, measuring 2.7 inches in length and weighing in at 13 ounces, and unlike the deep-set Zenzanon, mounting it on the Bronica EC doesn’t require any extra care to avoid breaking the bottom part of the 2-piece mirror assembly! It covers a 44° angle of view, stops down to f/22, focuses down to 3 feet, and takes 62mm screw-in filters.
Komura 100mm f/2.8: This compact medium tele is a great compact alternative to the equivalent Zenzanon but it's hard to find and pricey at $400-$500.
Komura 150mm f/3.5: A classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula lens this true telephoto is well balanced on camera and provides excellent central sharpness and detail at all apertures with the corners coming in by f/5.6. Despite its longish 6 foot minimum focusing distance it’s great choice for portraiture, has a smooth natural bokeh, and captures a pleasingly realistic perspective. It covers a 30° angle of view, it’s relatively lightweight and compact for a lens of its type, measuring
3.54 inches in length and weighing in at a portable 19 ounces, and it takes 62mm screw-in filters.
Komura 150mm f/3.5 is a superb portrait tele that's readily available at $150-$300 at online auction sites.
Komura 200mm f/3.5: This well corrected 5-element standard telephoto lens is equivalent to a 135mm lens for the 35mm format, and its extra reach makes it a fine choice for covering people and events from the sidelines and for indoor or outdoor portraits despite its relatively long 12 foot minimum focusing distance. Sharp and contrasty with pleasing bokeh, it covers a 21° angle of view, measures 4.64 inches in length and weighs in at 32 ounces, making it eminently useable for handheld shooting. It takes 67mm screw-in filters.
Komura 200mm f/3.5 is a great all-around telephoto that delivers excellent imaging performance at a very modest $100-$150 on the current used market.
Preset Diaphragm Komura Lenses for Bronica C, S, and EC Series
Komura 135mm f/2.3:Featuring an unusually wide f/2.3 aperture for a medium tele, this relatively rare 5-element classic focuses down to 5 feet making it a great choice for headshots. Its wide aperture facilitates the creative use of selective focus effects and low light shooting, and its beautiful bokeh enhances pictorial effects. Critically sharp across the field by f/4-5.6, the lens stops down to f/16, covers a 33° angle of view, measures 3.6 inches on length, and weighs in at a hand-holdable 19 ounces (without focusing helical). It focuses down to 5 feet and takes 72mm screw-in filters. Due to its scarcity and desirability, it commands premium prices on the used market.
Komura 135mm f/2.3 is an outstanding fast medium tele that's great for portraits and low light work, but it's rare, and pricey at about $600-800.
Komura 200mm f/3.5: This preset diaphragm version of the Komura 200mm is based on a similar 5-element design, but it’s shorter, substantially lighter and focuses closer than the auto diaphragm version, making it an even better choice for portraiture. It covers a 21° angle of view, focuses down to 10 feet, measures 4.15 inches in length, weighs in at 21 ounces without focusing helical adapter, and takes 67mm screw-in filters. All other comments on the auto diaphragm version apply to this lens as well.
Komura 300mm f/5.0: Based on the classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula, it’s much smaller and lighter than the ponderous 300mm f/4 Zenzanon of equivalent Nikkor, and performs commendably in terms of sharpness, contrast, and detail rendition. Its long reach makes it an excellent choice for sports and nature photography. Well balanced on camera, it covers a 15° angle of view, focuses down to 16 feet, measures 4.8 inches in length, takes 67mm screw-in filters, and weighs in at a surprisingly modest 17 ounces without focusing helical adapter,making at an excellent choice for handheld shooting.
Komura 300mm f/5 is much lighter and handier than its Nikkor or Xenzanon alternatives and its a pretty good deal at $250-$300.
Komura 400mm f/6.3: Amazingly lightweight and quite compact for a long telephoto this classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula lens is well corrected, delivers crisp high contrast imaging and is easy to focus despite its moderate f.6.3 maximum aperture. It’s a great lens for sports enthusiasts, hikers, travelers, and anyone that needs a long lens that’s easy to carry. It covers an 11° angle of view, focuses down to 18 feet, stops down to f/45, measures 5.9 inches in length, takes 67mm screw-in filters,and weighs in at only 20 ounces without focusing helical adapter.
Komura 500mm f/7.0: Great for capturing distant subjects such as wildlife, architectural details, and sports action, the longest Komura lens in Bronica mount employs a classic 4-element, 3-groupTessar formula to deliver sharp, high contrast, detailed images. Despite its modest f/7 aperture it’s easy to focus, and snaps into focus decisively when tracking action. The Komura 500 covers a narrow 9°angle of view, focuses down to 26 feet, stops down to f/45, takes 77mm screw-in filters,measures just under 8 inches in length, and weighs a reasonably light 33 ounces without focusing helical adapter. It works best atop a tripod using its built-in tripod platform but is hand-holdable at higher shutter speeds.
Over the past few years Komura lenses for 35mm cameras have attained a de facto cult status and are now offered at outlandish prices. That hasn’t happened yet in the case of Bronica mount Komura lenses, the exceptions being the ultra-wide 45mm f.4.5 Super-Komura that currently fetches $250-$350 on the used market, the 135mm f/2.3 Komura that generally goes for $600-$700 if you can find one, and the virtually nonexistent 100mm f/2 Komura.Examples: the 150mm f/3.5 Komura is readily available at around $150 for the regular version and $250-$300 for the later and rarer Super-Komura version. The 200mm f/3.5 Komura is widely offered at $100-$125 in the preset version, and at $125-$150 in the auto diaphragm version. The 50mm f/3.5 Komura wide angle is widely offered at $150-$200. The message: If you’re a focal-plane-shutter Bronica shooter looking to round out your focal length selection there are some pretty good deals out there now, but how long they’ll last is anybody’s guess.
