Topcor 58/1.4 lens question

[akptc]

I am hoping this lens has the Pentax screw mount - would appreciate any feedback. I’ve tried to research it this morning but apparently everyone knows what mount this is and so not one article I found spells it out. - thanks a bunch.

 

[xayraa33]

Topcor are great lenses, that one looks like it might have the Topcon bayonette mount , very very similar to the Exakta mount.
most of the pre-set , none auto Exakta lenses can be used on the focal plane shuttered Topcon cameras,but not the reverse.
I have a 35mm Topcor lens in LTM and it is a fantastic piece of glass.

 

[kuzano]

Topcon used by US Navy

Topcon used by US Navy

The US Navy used to have tough standards to meet on lens resolving power. Topcon won this contract for a few years with their Topcon D model. A previous winner was the Kodak Medalist in 6X9 using Kodak 620 film. The Medalist lenses are reknowned for their image quality.

I have a couple of these lenses for the Topcon Unirex... my first quality SLR. They are bayonet mount in front of a shutter ring on the camera body. Lens also fits the Topcon Auto 100 bayonet. Can't imagine they fit any other mount, as Topcon was very proprietary in those years. I am pretty sure this lens will not fit the bigger D body, however.

You currently find Topcor glass more often in large format. Very nice lenses.

 

[xayraa33]

http://www.vermontel.com/~wsalati/CasualCollector/topcon.htm

here is a write up on the Topcon RE Super.
an SLR camera ahead of its time.
robust too.

 

[akptc]

Thank you kindly for your feedback, the link was especially informative. I was hoping to put together a kit with my new Bessaflex TM (silver) with this lens. Seems nobody has the Bessa/Cosina (M42) version of this lens. I called a popular vendor today who told me some person purchased their entire stock of that lens(!) One just showed up on ebay (310019100967) for BIN $780 which is pretty steep.

 

[xayraa33]

I don't know Andy, but 780 dollar can buy many 50mm Takumar f1.4 lenses in M42 mount.
I have the f1.8 SMC version in M42 and you cannot beat their constuction, resistance to flare and nice bokeh too.

 

[CameraQuest]

58/1.4 History

58/1.4 History

The original Topcor 58/1.4's were produced only in Topcon mount are / were very respected in Japan as being an outstanding lens. In 1963 Topcon made the mistake of introducing the world's most advanced professional SLR using the rather smallish and venerable Exakta lens mount. This choice proved quite limiting on what the optical designers could do later on. Nevertheless, many are of the opinion Topcor lenses were better than their contemporaries from the likes of Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Minolta, or Olympus. Had Topcon created a modern bayonet lens mount with their innovative Super D, SLR history would probably been much different for Nikon and Canon.

In 2004 Mr. K of Cosina made a deal with Topcon, still in biz as a medical equipt supplier, to make a limited edition run of 58/1.4 Topcors in Nikon AI and Pentax M42 mount. See http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt SL.htm
these were a complete sell out and are now highly sought after in Japan.

In late 2007 Cosina announced new production 58/1.4's in Pentax KA mount and Nikon AIS (with CPU chip for digital SLRs) see http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt_SL2.htm $379

It is my understanding both Voigtlander versions of the 58/1.4 has the same optical fornula as the original 58/1.4 Topcors.

Stephen

 

[akptc]

I don't know Andy, but 780 dollar can buy many 50mm Takumar f1.4 lenses in M42 mount. ....

Amen to that, that's why I am not going to buy the one on ebay, as much as I am itching to 🙂

…… […] In 2004 Mr. K of Cosina made a deal with Topcon, still in biz as a medical equipt supplier, to make a limited edition run of 58/1.4 Topcors in Nikon AI and Pentax M42 mount. See http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt%20SL.htm
these were a complete sell out and are now highly sought after in Japan.

In late 2007 Cosina announced new production 58/1.4's in Pentax KA mount and Nikon AIS (with CPU chip for digital SLRs) see http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt_SL2.htm $379

It is my understanding both Voigtlander versions of the 58/1.4 has the same optical fornula as the original 58/1.4 Topcors.

Stephen

Thank you Stephen for the info. I look forward to snatching up one of the 50/1.4’s in K-mount once they become available.

 

[CameraQuest]

Amen to that, that's why I am not going to buy the one on ebay, as much as I am itching to 🙂

Thank you Stephen for the info. I look forward to snatching up one of the 50/1.4’s in K-mount once they become available.

You keep typing 50/1.4

it's 58/1.4 !

the PKA 58/1.4's are in transit from the factory, arriving next week!

Stephen

 

[kuzano]

The Navy Connection....

The Navy Connection....

This from the vermontel link above:

Update: Leon Schoenfeld writes...
About 1965 the US Navy tested cameras from several Japanese and German manufacturers (including Nikon's F). The Topcon Super D was the winner of this competition and served in the Navy until the very end of Topcon production in 1977.
Leon points out that while he believes this to be fact, the above comes from second hand and anecdotal information.

Also. In 1958 Topcon brochures indicated that the US Navy and the FBI used Topcon Super D cameras.

Perhaps my picture was taken by a Topcon, while files were being built during the period following the "McCarthy Era" and the beginning of "Hippie Activism". Anybody remember seeing any Super Topcons at Woodstock?

 

[akptc]

You keep typing 50/1.4

it's 58/1.4 !

the PKA 58/1.4's are in transit from the factory, arriving next week!

Stephen

Oops, my bad, the zero just kind of natually seems to follow the 5 🙂 Thanks for the heads-up!