Konica 50mm and Topcor 5cm LTM

[dexdog]

A few more pics with the two lenses. All are shot at f4, focus peaking. I have no idea how these lenses would compare on film, but the Konica definately renders cooler/more blue colors on the Sony a7III, reminds me of the Canon 50/1.4 in this regard. Out of curiousity I took a few images with each lens on the Nikon Z6, and the Konica has cooler colors with the Nikon, too.
Topcor


Konica

 

[dexdog]

Topcor

Konica

 

[dexdog]

Sorry about the uneven framing, these were all hand-held and I probably got out of position juggling lenses.
Topcor

Konica

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I know those Cannons...

The Topcor really impressed me. I have a really clean black Canon 50/1.8, need to compare those two.

 

[dexdog]

I know those Cannons...

The Topcor really impressed me. I have a really clean black Canon 50/1.8, need to compare those two.

Yeah, I think that the Topcor/Canon shootout would be fun. A tough one though, given that both lenses have reputations as excellent performers. I think that the Topcor-S is kind of a "sleeper", a really good lens that is not given enough exposure/credit. Also, does barrel distortion in a lens vary with apeture? I thought I saw some barrel distortion in the Konica pic in post #23, opened it in GIMP, and sure enough it is there. This pic taken at f4, would it be worse at f1.9?

 

[dexdog]

So, anyone have any ideas as to why the Konica Hexanon 50/1.9 lens indexes differently than most other RF lenses, i.e., the dot for the apeture does not align with the arrow on the focus scale? I have looked at a number of different websites and eBay auctions, and all lenses appear to be like this.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've seen this before on some lenses...

The Distance scale comes up off-center so you can see the scale through the viewfinder.
The F-Stop comes up Top Dead Center so you can look down to it as it sits near your waist.
I make stuff up as I type...

 

[dexdog]

I was thinking the same thing. I guess great minds think alike!😉

 

[das]

I have never owned a Topcor 50mm, but I am glad that more folks are exploring the Konica 50mm f/1.9. I love mine. Yes, it has slight barrel distortion; but so do many, many other high-performing 35mm and medium format lenses. Nothing a slight digital correction cannot mostly fix. I use the Konica exclusively on film, where it really shines. As many know, most 1950s lenses were not coated well for color film. Konica's amber coatings are an exception. Modern digital mirrorless may not quite convey the significance of that. 🙂.

 

[dexdog]

Konica at f4

Topcor at f4

Not much different, although Konica still appears to render cooler colors, but like both images. Saw another intriguing opportunity at the same site this afternoon, but too tired to walk over there, it has been a long day. Histograms identical, images captured within the seconds it took me to swap lenses.

 

[das]

Maybe both lenses were made by the same subcontractor in Japan. 🙂. Pretty impressive performance for the 1950s. Bet they are just as good as the Gen I 50mm f/2 Summicron.

 

[David Murphy]

The Hexanon 50/1.9 has always interested me although I don't own one (yet). One reason is that it was, apparently, sold as the "fast" lens option with various different Japanese Leica copies: Leotax, Honor, and Chiyotax. I read somewhere it was also sold as standalone product by camera dealers in the late fifties at bargain prices, possibly due to overproduction by Konica and the need move out remaining stock (the makers of Leotax and Chiyotax cameras folded around this time and maker of Honor moved on to other products). Genuine Leica lenses were expensive then as now, so I'm sure the aftermarket for LTM lenses was pretty good in the 1950's.

 

[das]

The Hexanon 50/1.9 has always interested me although I don't own one (yet). One reason is that it was, apparently, sold as the "fast" lens option with various different Japanese Leica copies: Leotax, Honor, and Chiyotax. I read somewhere it was also sold as standalone product by camera dealers in the late fifties at bargain prices, possibly due to overproduction by Konica and the need move out remaining stock (the makers of Leotax and Chiyotax cameras folded around this time and maker of Honor moved on to other products). Genuine Leica lenses were expensive then as now, so I'm sure the aftermarket for LTM lenses was pretty good in the 1950's.

The 50mm f/1.9 and 50mm f/3.5 were never sold in the US as far as i know, either as standalones or bundled. However the 3.5 was used on the Konica I and the 1.9 on the highest-end Konica II.

 

[MarkWalberg]

The 50mm f/1.9 and 50mm f/3.5 were never sold in the US as far as i know, either as standalones or bundled. However the 3.5 was used on the Konica I and the 1.9 on the highest-end Konica II.

Anyone know how the konica 50/1.9 discussed here compares to the 48/2 or 50/1.8 of the Konica III/IIIA/IIIM? They are good lenses. I've adapted a 48/2 for use on my Nikon Z.

 

[das]

Anyone know how the konica 50/1.9 discussed here compares to the 48/2 or 50/1.8 of the Konica III/IIIA/IIIM? They are good lenses. I've adapted a 48/2 for use on my Nikon Z.

Almost positive that the 48mm f/2 on the early IIIs is the same lens as the 1.9. The 50mm 1.8s were a different design, I believe.

 

[David Murphy]

The 50mm f/1.9 and 50mm f/3.5 were never sold in the US as far as i know, either as standalones or bundled. However the 3.5 was used on the Konica I and the 1.9 on the highest-end Konica II.

Yes I think that is probably true, although many NY camera stores in the 1950's were very actively selling all sorts of quality imported cameras and lenses from both Japan and Germany, at favorable prices for the time, many now quite collectible. I can't remember where I found the article about the 50/1.9, I think a link on or from the Camera Wiki - I think. As I best recall, the author related that the 50/1.9 was sold standalone for a while in the late 50's in Asian (probably Japanese) camera stores. I'll search for that source and post it here if I can.

 

[Miles.]

Here’s how it looked when sold as just an accessory lens:

 

[das]

Just as an aside, the Konica 50mm f/3.5 collapsible is another outstanding lens for the era if one is looking to try something different. 🙂.

 

[dexdog]

This is the box that my possibly un-used Leotax F arrived in, with 5cm Topcor with Leotax lens cap in the box but not attached to camera. Also included an un-used leather strap. The two documents have the serial number of my camera, but neither has a serial number for the lens. So I have no idea if the camera was purchased without a lens or if the f2 Topcor was included, but nobody bothered to record the number. I tried searching for Futura Camera Corporation of New York and got no hits.

 

[Young Shawn]

My Topcor is the non-S version.
This lens's serial number definitely starts with 13, commonly known as the 13B.
(Sharper than the Summicron Coll.)
Recently, I've seen ones starting with 15 without the S.
I would appreciate it if anyone could share information.