Topcor 3.5cm f2.8 M39 lens-anybody know about this lens?

[bobkonos]

Hi all,

I am about to take delivery of a Canon VT rangefinder body with a chrome Topcor 3.5cm f2.8 lens attached. I cannot find much information about this lens so I am interested to learn about it (production year, rarity, etc). Any help you can offer is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[David Murphy]

I've owned two Topor 50's in LTM. They were well made and fun to use. I can say for sure that the Topcor 50/2 is stunningly good optically. Anything in Leica thread that is Topcor is now uncommon if not rare, and all are quite valuable. I'm sure you'll enjoy owning and using it. (please post some results if you have time!)

 

[raid]

Ebay seller wants over $1000 for such a lens.

 

[dberger]

Hi all,

I am about to take delivery of a Canon VT rangefinder body with a chrome Topcor 3.5cm f2.8 lens attached. I cannot find much information about this lens so I am interested to learn about it (production year, rarity, etc). Any help you can offer is appreciated. Thanks.

All LTM lenses from Tokyo Kogaku are outstanding, and the 3.5 cm is no exception. They are all built very well, and they do not seem to suffer fogging, haze, helical binding, or other signs of aging as much as other brands. The 3.5 cm lens has 40.5 mm front threads, so you probably have filters and hoods that already fit. Tokyo Kogaku made a hood for this lens, but that is harder to find than the lens itself. Even harder to find than the hood is the 3.5 cm brightline finder -- it is an absolute monster (looks as large as the lens) with an outstanding life-size view.

It is interesting that Tokyo Kogaku had an inordinate fondness for 50 mm lenses in LTM. They probably made a dozen or more (I have at least 10 different ones), including one with a Heliar design. Most are labled "Tokyo Kogaku" and "Topcor," but earlier ones may have "Tokyo Optical" and "Simlar." Outside 50 mm, however, they only made 1 each at 3.5 cm, 9 cm, and 13.5 cm. The latter 3 are hard to find, but at least you got the first one.

Finally, if you venture into Tokyo Kogaku's SLRs, their RE system has another large pile of top notch lenses.

Anyway, enjoy the lens.


David

 

[aoresteen]

Good info thanks! I've been using LTM cameras since 1981 and never knew Topcor made glass for them. I'll have to keep an eye out for them.

 

[bobkonos]

Thanks Dave M. and Dave B. for the information. I've heard that the 35 finder is huge. I am on the fence as to whether I will keep the lens but all information I can get about it is helpful. If I do keep it, I will try to get the shade for it.

Raid: that seller is infamous for high asking prices.

 

[bobkonos]

Terrific! Many thanks. I may have to join the Topcon Club. 🙄

Hi bobkonos,
This website gives some information with photos of your lens and other Topcon lenses in Leica screw fit.

http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/Topconclub/lens6.htm

 

[xayraa33]

Great lens, I prefer it to the Nikkor f2.5 and the Canon f 2.8

 

[bobkonos]

Well, maybe I will keep it.

 

[someonenameddavid]

The Leotax was the preferred camera for Tokyo Kogaku

 

[Brian Legge]

Does anyone have example photos taken with it, particularly wider aperture shots? I have the tiny silver Canon 35mm 2.8 and am curious how the looks compare.

 

[aoresteen]

Does anyone know what size filters the 5CM f/3.5 rigid with the large focus ring uses?

 

[dberger]

Does anyone know what size filters the 5CM f/3.5 rigid with the large focus ring uses?

There are 2 versions of this lens, one with the angled beauty ring and serial number on the ring (like in the picture) and one with a flat ring and serial number on the barrel. Otherwise, they appear to be the same. Both take 34mm filters and screw-in hoods, and they are great lenses (Tessar-type).

Cheers,
David

 

[David Murphy]

Yes I can attest that the 5cm F3.5 is a very nice lens. It has an odd sort of shape, but it is very light - seems to be made of machined aluminum if I recall correctly - has a nice feel to using it.

 

[aoresteen]

Dang! I feel some gas coming on....🙂

 

[bobkonos]

Camera and lens arrived. Not a mark on the camera (Canon VT) or the lens, and the boxes are in beautiful condition. The lens is beautiful and in perfect condition including the lens cap.

 

[raid]

Post many photos of the camera and lens.

 

[Lightshow]

Let's see some pics please, 🙂
I've had the Topcor-S 50/2 for a while now, which is my favorite RF 50.
I also received the 3.5cm/2.8 recently, so I'll try and up some pics soon.
I'm looking for 9cm in LTM and Exakta
The Canon 35/2.8 works quite well on my A7r & NEX-7.

 

[leica_thread_mat]

Hi,

First post on this forum. I recently acquired one of these (3.5cm f2.8 LTM) lenses very cheaply. Been loving using it but did anyone notice heavy edge to edge fall off even @ F11?

Thanks

 

[David Murphy]

Welcome to the forum. I have a Tanack Tanar 3.5cm F3.5 from about the same era, and it also vignettes - not sure if it persists to f/11 though. The Canon 28mm F2.8 in LTM does the same. As I recall, vignetting is pretty apparent in the early Leica 21mm Super Angulon as well. Wide angle lens designs like this were rather challenging engineering efforts for the 1950's. Optimizing aberration correction, together with distortion and vignetting, was challenging in the era before more sophisticated computer techniques were available, so some design tradeoffs were necessitated.

However, all said, I like this effect in many pictures. It gives certain shots, particularly landscapes, sort of an "aura" that is pleasing.

If you can, please post some photos of your lens and/or photos taken with it. Your lens is very uncommon, and maybe even rare!