Tenar Lens?

[trittium]

I just purchase an ltm (m39) 135mm f3.5 Kogaku Tele-Tenar Lens. I know nothing of this lens or company. I tried googling it, but I could find nothing but a mention of this company. Can Someone give me info.

 

[trittium]

sorry I am dumb it is a Tanar, not at Tenar

 

[bmattock]

Tanaka Kogaku made a Leica III clone, which was sold in the US under the "Tower" (Sears) name brand. They called their lens line "Tanar." They were acceptable clones, and are slowly becoming collectible - the camera bodies more so than the lenses. The Canon and Nikkor clone lenses are a bit more popular.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[xayraa33]

the Sears line of Leica type cameras from 1949 to 1959( "Tower" brand) were made by Nicca in Japan. these came with Nikkor 50mm lenses. Sears also sold Nikkor 35mm lenses in Ltm and the Nikkor 85mm and 135mm also. By the later 1950s, Sears sold 35mm and 135mm Ltm lenses made by Steinheil in Germany.

 

[bmattock]

the Sears line of Leica type cameras from 1949 to 1959( "Tower" brand) were made by Nicca in Japan. these came with Nikkor 50mm lenses. Sears also sold Nikkor 35mm lenses in Ltm and the Nikkor 85mm and 135mm also. By the later 1950s, Sears sold 35mm and 135mm Ltm lenses made by Steinheil in Germany.

Beg pardon, I thought that the Tanaka Leica III clones were the Tower line. My bad, you're absolutely right!

However, Tanaka Kogaku was indeed yet another Leica III clone maker in Japan. Sorry about getting the rest wrong.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[xayraa33]

In the August 1958 edition of Popular Photograpy, the Peerless Camera store in New York was advertizing new Tanack cameras with the 50mm Tanar lens for $ 89.95. I have seen these cameras discounted to $ 49.95 (new) in photo mag. ads by the close of the 1950s.

 

[bmattock]

In the August 1958 edition of Popular Photograpy, the Peerless Camera store in New York was advertizing new Tanack cameras with the 50mm Tanar lens for $ 89.95. I have seen these cameras discounted to $ 49.95 (new) in photo mag. ads by the close of the 1950s.

I was not around when those magazines were new, but I collect the old photography magazines and read them - love the ads!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[xayraa33]

yes Tanaka was a Leica clone maker from Japan, they were a late starter, and were rated about third in quality, Leotax and Nicca were 1st and 2nd respectivley, as far as quality japanese Leica copy makers go.

 

[xayraa33]

yes Bill I love looking at those old photo mags too, but I only got a hand full now, as my better half decided to do some house cleaning and in the process she sent most of them to the recycling box for curbside pickup. ouch!

 

[bob cole]

I just purchase an ltm (m39) 135mm f3.5 Kogaku Tele-Tenar Lens. I know nothing of this lens or company. I tried googling it, but I could find nothing but a mention of this company. Can Someone give me info.

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This is a JPEG from "Leica Copies," by HPR:

 

[trittium]

Thanks for the information.