Komura lenses on Visoflex: How well do these lenses work?

[eleskin]

I have been searching the internet about alternative lenses for my Visoflex. It seems the lenses made by Komura in the telephoto range can be purchased at reasonable prices and are sharp lenses. Anyone else have some experience with Komura and a Visoflex?

 

[fotobiblios]

Komura lenses of the 60s had excellent mechanical construction and finish and were optically good for their time and ambitious aperture.

I have mid-late 60s slr fit 135mm f2.3 and 85mm f1.4 both with a beautiful black enamel.

At the time they sold 35mm2.5, 100mm1.8, 100mm2, 135mm2, 200mm3.5, and I think 400mm - variously in slr visoflex and some rfdr coupled (100f2.5?).

 

[FPjohn]

Kilfit Kilars are also good.

yours
FPJ

 

[fotobiblios]

Kilars -- are some the same as apo-lanthars? eg the 150mmf3.5 with the 3 coloured 'apo' rings??

The best lens I ever used on a viso was an enlarging Fujinon EX 75mm f4.5.

Plenty of Novoflex lenses around for viso -- maybe not quite as sharp but very usable.

Time for a visoflex cult -- buy now while v cheap.

 

[eleskin]

How did you use an enlarging lens? there must have been a focusing bellows of some kind. Was it hand held or tripod?

 

[fotobiblios]

'How did you use enlarging lenses' -- same way as one would use a 65mm viso Elmar - with a Leica or other brand short focus tube direct on the viso -- in fact I had an unknown brand that would work direct with the 75 (or with 105 and 135 with a short 39mm extension tube) - I'm not an expert on the Leica helicoid but from memory the one for the 65mm Elmar has a number like 6466 or close.

I mostly use these for close focus range .4m to 3m, but could use them at infinity if correct combination mounted.

bellows would work fine for close-up but most won't squash up enough for infinity focus (although possible to'hack' some cheaper types)

 

[fotobiblios]

Back to Komura - they also made lenses (as did Nikon) to fit the '60s, 70s Bronica 6x6 slr, including a 200mm and 500mm.

As I recall, their later products were the Komuranon range of SLR lenses with a unique Unidaptor for various slrs in the early 70s and finally some quite high quality tele-extenders - then no more - or have I lost the story?