Leotax - Topcor-S 5cm f/2 and Fujinon 5cm f/2 [Archive]

brobbins

02-21-2009, 08:58

David Murphy

02-21-2009, 21:46

I understand that Leotax cameras were sold with both Fujinon and Topcor ltm lenses. Has anyone here tried either the Topcor-S 5cm f/2 or Fujinon 5cm f/2 lens? If so, what did you think of the lens? Is the reputation of one better than the other? Thanks.
I've seen these lenses for sale on eBay from time-to-time. Prices see to range up to $500 or so, particularly for the Topcon lenses. Vintage Topcon is getting quite a following. They are rare for sure. My guess is that they have good optics, but that their price is more indicative of their novelty. I do own a Leotax Simlar 5cm F3.5 which in my judgment outperforms the very similar Leica Elmar.

Bill58

02-21-2009, 22:37

I understand that Leotax cameras were sold with both Fujinon and Topcor ltm lenses. Has anyone here tried either the Topcor-S 5cm f/2 or Fujinon 5cm f/2 lens? If so, what did you think of the lens? Is the reputation of one better than the other? Thanks.

I think they are rarer than a Republican in favor of the Obama Economic Stimulus bill; however, if you really want one, contact Jiri Ecer in Japan (jiri dot e dot jp at gmail dot com). He can comb the camera shops in Toyko for you. Like David Murphy, he's a top-notch fellow.

He might also give you an expert opinion of these lenses' comparative qualities.

Good luck,
Bill

hilltime

02-22-2009, 16:05

I own a Topcon 50/1.5, Topcon 50/2, as well as a Fujinon 35/2 which I use on my Leotax F, TV2, and FV as well as a Voigtlander Bessa R2. Top notch lenses which I have paid $$$ for but in comparison to most of my other screw mount lenses, they are my favorites. Would love to find a Fujinon 50/1.2 but I don't think I'll have enough $$$ in my life for that one, unless of course I stoop to buying one at a ridiculous price from those people whom seem to have all the rarieties, and probably will continue for the rest of their lives.
Gary

xayraa33

02-22-2009, 16:15

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu228/kennyard/IMG_0314.jpgIf my LTM Topcor 3.5cm f2.8 lens is anything to go by, then the LTM Topcor 50mm f2 lens must be a splendid lens.

David Murphy

02-22-2009, 23:54

Stop it guys, I'm acquiring Topcon/Fujinon Class Envy! Now I have something new to endlessly lurk the backwaters of eBay and other sites to haplessly search for.

Hacker

02-23-2009, 05:13

Would love to find a Fujinon 50/1.2

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3272061376_ee26c82a20_o.jpg

furcafe

02-23-2009, 05:52

brobbins

02-23-2009, 16:40

Thanks for all the answers. You have convinced me I should try one of these.

Erik L

02-24-2009, 15:34

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/erty0/115621.jpg
whats the yellow part

xayraa33

02-24-2009, 15:55

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/erty0/115621.jpg
whats the yellow part

That is the 3.5cm/5cm combined finder.
The yellow is the gold reflective coating of this galilean type finder.

Erik L

02-24-2009, 15:59

the finder is as large as the lens? how does that work? reminds me of the underwater camera finders
really confused how they can combine the finder

xayraa33

02-24-2009, 16:07

the finder is as large as the lens? how does that work? reminds me of the underwater camera finders
really confused how they can combine the finder

the view is very life size, not too different from what is built in the Canon P camera, only more so.

tooffy

02-25-2009, 06:17

Topcor & Fujinon LTM lenses are all top notch! I have some of them:)

richiedcruz

02-25-2009, 17:58

I really like my Topcor 5cm f/2, but it is a very heavy lens. I think it is the heaviest LTM lens I own.

Hacker

03-09-2009, 09:43

The Fujinon L 5cm f/2.8 was one of the standard lenses that was sold with the Leotax TV, T2, and K3 cameras.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3337189471_ede8ed956c_o.jpg

Hacker

03-21-2009, 21:41

I only have experience w/the 5cm/2.8 Fujinon, which seems to be a fine performer, though mine has some fungus (for that reason, & the fact that it's on the slow side, I haven't used it much).

I tried it today, and it was surprisingly a very fine performer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3374992688_8f0d12535d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3374991844_a116f9ae11_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3374992064_f4d3d30810_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3374992454_d04c513bbb_o.jpg

David Murphy

03-23-2009, 08:40

Very nice shots - quite sharp and colorful like a modern lens - I suspect these lenses were handmade and individually collimated (this is how Nikon achieved such awesome optical performance in the mid 50's). Is that a digital camera you've got it on?

Hacker

03-23-2009, 13:46

Yes, it was used with the M8.2. I'm actually very surprised by the quality. A couple more:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3375039034_9da7d01122_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3374174635_eed4e3383b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3374991320_8773deaaf5_o.jpg

Hacker

04-03-2009, 15:38

I believe the Fujinons were hybrids, very similar to the Topcors.

Hacker

04-03-2009, 16:56

I'm purely speculating of course. This is from the 5cm f/1.2:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3273117950_b6fc1f4e00_o.jpg

tooffy

04-22-2009, 07:20

Topcor5cmf2 & Fujinon5cmf2 are very sharp. Pleasantly sharp, unlike stark/clinical sharpness of modern asph lenses.
Fujinon5cmf2.0: one in m & the other in feet:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3464160631_00d3310c3f.jpg

Topcor5cmf2.0- There are 4 versions available & are supposed to differ optically.
However, image rendition between Type 1 & 2 does not seem to differ.
All chrome is Type 1, chrome & black is Type 2, all black is Type 3 & 4. Shown here is Type 1 & 2 (I called it 'Panda' type):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3387366336_31e437de45.jpg

Topcor-S 5cmf1.5 (a half Sonnar). This is an improvement over the Simlar 5cmf1.5 which is a little softer.
Rendition of Topcor-S 5cmf1.5 is almost identical to Canon50mmf1.5.
See http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69170&page=4 post #81 & #94
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3281823850_a9ddd1ebab.jpg

tooffy

01-16-2010, 06:36

I have sent an e-mail inquiry to Fuji HQ. in Japan to see if they have any information in their archives regarding the optical design, production numbers etc., of the Fujinon L lenses and I am hoping they might come forward with some information in due course.

That's great! Do share with us if you get anything.:)
Thanks.

ElliotV

01-17-2010, 06:38

I actually just was provided one of these (a Topcor-S 5cm F2 lens) by a colleague who is retiring, to either keep and use myself or trade or sell (and split the income). It has been attached to a Canon 7S. Someone at the local camera store is probably interested in buying the Canon.

As to the lens, it looks very clean and the glass looks to be in excellent condition. I need to get an m39 to micro 4/3 adapter for it to work on my Panasonic G1. From what I understand of its worth, I am inclined to sell it or trade, though.

There was another lens that came with the camera, a Canon Serenar 85mm f2 lens. It looks interesting, too, and from what I read can be a decent lens, but I am even more likely to sell or trade that one because of its weight.

Any advice you can provide to me would be appreciated. As you will see, I am brand new to this forum. My interest in rangefinders began in 1962 when my father bought me a Voigtlander Vitomatic II. I learned a lot about photography through that little camera, though honestly I was always frustrated at not having a zoom lens!

Hacker

12-22-2010, 13:16

I have sent an e-mail inquiry to Fuji HQ. in Japan to see if they have any information in their archives regarding the optical design, production numbers etc., of the Fujinon L lenses and I am hoping they might come forward with some information in due course.

Did you ever get a reply for this lens? Am curious myself.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5203730881_a6a5922ae7_b.jpg

Green_Blue

04-28-2011, 05:39

does anyone know much about the leotax leonon 50/2? Is it just the same optical formula as the topcor but with a different coating?

dberger

04-28-2011, 12:55

I have several Topcor 50/2 LTM lenses and the Leonon 50/2. The Leonon looks very similar to one of the Topcor lenses (ridged black barrel), but not exactly. The images produced look similar enough (i.e., Topcors are all very fine lenses, and so is the Leonon). Without any other information, I would guess that Tokyo Kogaku made the Leonon, and they made it with the same optical formula as the Topcors. The coating used would have been whatever was current at the time. (I don't bother with the color of coatings too much -- coating technology was always changing, and I'm quite color blind.)

Cheers,

David

flip

10-29-2011, 05:15

Finally landed a topcor 50/1.5. :-) A single bubble in the glass, but otherwise clean. And sharp. I look forward to trying it out ASAP.

mrlazyli

10-29-2011, 18:41

I had Tokyo Simlar 50/1.5, Topcor 50/1.8, 50/2, 50/3.5 and Leotax Leonon 50/2

All of them are excellent performers!

The 50/1.5 formula is a bit strange. It has triplet which looks at Sonnar at the front half, but the rear group is normal Planar design. I think the Canon 85/1.5 also has similar design.

The other Topcor, Leonon and Fujinon 50/2 are Planar design. Very sharp indeed!

Topcor 50/1.5
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5997707855_c12b84622a_z.jpg

Topcor 50/1.8
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6126842271_c96e182bf1_z.jpg

Topcor 50/2
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5564123308_6bef35e08e_z.jpg

Leonon 50/2
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5653366891_9e33d8a884_z.jpg

mrlazyli

11-12-2011, 05:49

[quote=mrlazyli;1741919]I had Tokyo Simlar 50/1.5, Topcor 50/1.8, 50/2, 50/3.5 and Leotax Leonon 50/2
The other Topcor, Leonon and Fujinon 50/2 are Planar design. Very sharp indeed! [quote]

Hello mrlazyli,
You say that the Fujinon 50/2 is a Planar design, do know anywhere were the Fujinon L lens diagrams are available?
I have a Japanese book series that introduces the LTM/M lenses (> 300 lenses)

flip

11-12-2011, 06:17

[QUOTE=PAN F;1749848][quote=mrlazyli;1741919]I had Tokyo Simlar 50/1.5, Topcor 50/1.8, 50/2, 50/3.5 and Leotax Leonon 50/2
The other Topcor, Leonon and Fujinon 50/2 are Planar design. Very sharp indeed!
I have a Japanese book series that introduces the LTM/M lenses (> 300 lenses)

sounds cool!

mrlazyli

11-12-2011, 06:51

Hello mrlazyli,
That's great that you have such information.Does it say what design the 5cm f2.8 Fujinon is?.
Could you tell me if this book is still in print only quite a few forum members are interested in these vintage Japanese LTM lenses produced by Fuji,Topcon,Zunow etc., (forum members Hacker,tooffy etc.,and myself included) and information is very difficult to find even on the web.

As far as i remember, it is Tessar formula likes most 50/2.8, 50/3.5 lenses, but i lend that book to my friend so cannot be sure yet.
i think that book series is still available and there is a bookstore selling at Hong Kong