The Definitive Komura & Acall thread, post your photos!

[johannielscom]

Nice shots from the 80/1.8.

Tricky situation: should I extend the 'definitive' list with model variations, or just optical/mechanical variations?

Like David said, there might be so many variations in models that it might be hard to reach a list with a definite character in the end...

Anyway, more shots of and with Komuras / Acalls welcome, lets see what else is posted here.

 

[David Murphy]

I don't have one, but I was thinking of getting one. They look fun.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Anybody have/use a Komura Telemore set like this one?

I'd like to read on ease of use/ergonomics, and see results!

I do... I have the silver-coloured one, like item # 310205210260, I also paid in that price range.

Another seller wants for it USD 400 (#270506302657) -- do you think, the black version is USD 250 better?

;-)

I must confess, my copy is still in the box. I'm afraid, it was a GAS related purchase, and so I have no motivation to open the postal carton :-(

 

[David Murphy]

I do... I have the silver-coloured one, like item # 310205210260, I also paid in that price range.

Another seller wants for it USD 400 (#270506302657) -- do you think, the black version is USD 250 better?

;-)

I must confess, my copy is still in the box. I'm afraid, it was a GAS related purchase, and so I have no motivation to open the postal carton :-(

This is clear symptom of the advanced stages of GAS: boxed items that are too precious to either actually use or sell (I suffer this as well).

 

[tstermitz]

Komura 2x

Komura 2x

Yes, I have a Komura Telemore 95, identical to the one in the little yellow-lined box at the Dutch ebay auction. It has finder, screw-to-M adapter, manual, the little mounty-thing, etc. I haven't used it other than to fit it on my M4 that it came with.

View finder seems a little dim. It lets you adjust for lens focal length and distance so your field of view matches the lens. You only use the viewfinder for framing; the rangefinder couples properly through the adaptor.

This isn't really a for sale thread, but if anyone wants to buy it I'll be reasonable. I think I have private email turned on.

 

[johannielscom]

Added new lenses to post #2 in the thread!

Tonight I found info on the Astra brand of lenses. Added the W.A. Astra 35/3.5 and the Tele-Astra 135/3.5. Info on the Tele-Astra is not complete yet re. min. aperture and filter size.

If you know about any other focal lengths of Astra lenses, I'd like to know!

 

[johannielscom]

Shot with Leica IIIa and Komura 35/3.5 on Ilford FP4+, developed in Rodinal 1:100.

 

[ferider]

A quick note that we just extended the flickr M-mount forum to also include Komura lenses 🙂

Roland.

 

[rlouzan]

Johan,

Nice moody picture!
I can´t wait to get my 35/3,5 Acall, it should be here soon.

Regards,
Robert

Shot with Leica IIIa and Komura 35/3.5 on Ilford FP4+, developed in Rodinal 1:100.

 

[rebollo_fr]

The Kyoei company which made the Acall lenses was created by former employees of Sankyo after they left the company. This explains the many similarities between Acall and Komura lenses, but the Acall were not a mere rebranding.

 

[johannielscom]

The Kyoei company which made the Acall lenses was created by former employees of Sankyo after they left the company. This explains the many similarities between Acall and Komura lenses, but the Acall were not a mere rebranding.

Interesting!

I'd like to know more! Where did you hear this? Any internet source on this story?

 

[rebollo_fr]

Interesting!

I'd like to know more! Where did you hear this? Any internet source on this story?

I learned about this in Japanese magazines on classic cameras. I plan to tell the story in Camerapedia in the future.

 

[ferider]

Bump. Using the 80/1.8 at the Zoo:

BTW, fits the M4P's 75mm frame-lines real well.

Roland.

 

[johannielscom]

Nice shots, Roland! Really like that 80/1.8 of yours, sweet lens.

I will be scanning Komura and Acall shots this autumn, and will upload some. Also got a lead on an old magazine article that tells about the Komuras and shows some nice pictures too. If no copyright issue, I will put it up here.

 

[David Murphy]

This is my recently acquired Komura 28mm F3.5. I purchased this from fellow Komura fan Johan. The lens makes good images, contrasty and fairly sharp. There is a tad vignetting at the corners, at least stopped down on my Leica IIf with a 55mm UV filter - seems to go away (mostly at least) at the mid apertures (say F5.6-8). There is pretty common on modest priced wides, especially older ones. The distortion is noticeable, but acceptable, also common on older wide designs. The lens is very good looking, and quite "pan cakey" in character, i.e. very flat on the camera face - and a real nice combo on a small bottom loader for a super light, compact setup.

The sample photos are two suburban homes in Arcadia, California, and the Pasadena (California) city hall. The film was Kodak Gold 100. There was a bit of sharpening and post exposure balance, but this was fairly minor and mostly compensated for my film scanner imperfections.

 

[johannielscom]

well, isn't she a beaut! That lens is a real sunlight lover, great shots.

I haven't got a Komura at the moment and missed out on a Telesar (hehe), but the small Canon 28/3.5 Serenar I have, will have a 28mm Komura finder with it soon!

HU: there's a 28mm Komura in M42 on eBay right now, US-based. Never seen one like that before.

 

[David Murphy]

The Kyoei company which made the Acall lenses was created by former employees of Sankyo after they left the company. This explains the many similarities between Acall and Komura lenses, but the Acall were not a mere rebranding.

Yes this is an important bit of information and news to me too. Kyoei has always been something of a mystery company.

 

[johannielscom]

Sankyo Optical Works?

Sankyo Optical Works?

Shot from a 35mm viewfinder I bid on, but lost. Apparently somebody knew what they were looking at, it jumped to USD 76 in the last seconds.

I'm seeing an S, an O and a W in the unknown logo here, so: Sankyo Optical Works?

Anybody can confirm this, or is this made by some other company?

​

 

[David Murphy]

Hmm not sure. This is not immediately recognizable to me. I have noticed that there are many, many single focal length finders of various sorts from Japan, probably mostly made in the 50's. Some of these are unbranded, most of them are pretty well made (but not exceptionally so). They sometimes resemble finders from Leica, Canon, or Nikon. Another frontier for collecting??

 

[rebollo_fr]

I don't recognize the viewfinder's logo, but I would say that it is not related to Sankyo. Early Sankyo viewfinders have the letters "S.K." engraved (for Sankyō Kōki), later ones have "Komura".
You'll find an example of an early S.K. finder here at Lpfoto: http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=LP&inA=02-12-08&inO=459