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Auto-Topcor 58mm f/1.4 limited edition for Nikon F-mount
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:04 pm    Post subject: Auto-Topcor 58mm f/1.4 limited edition for Nikon F-mount Reply with quote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topcon#Cameras
Production ended in 1977, and the 5,8cm RE Auto-Topcor 5,8cm f/1.4 are of Tokyo Kogaku's older period?

There also exists an Auto-Topcor 58mm f/1.4 in native Nikon F-mount, supposedly a limited version manufactured in only 800 units.

Rarity is the only reason that would explain why eBay sellers expect someone to pay USD 2000 for a basic fast 50mm SLR lens

www.ebay.ie/itm/221148671983

www.ebay.ie/itm/350590663700

Who made the 58mm f/1.4 Auto-Topcor in Nikon F-mount then? Is it closely related to Cosina's manufactured Voigtländer 58mm f/1.4 SL II ?


PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think not related and clue less seller. It will not sell even even for half if sell buyer will be clue less for sure Laughing


PostPosted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 1:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of the images shows "Made in Japan by Cosina" in it. Wink


PostPosted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 6:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mos6502 wrote:
One of the images shows "Made in Japan by Cosina" in it. Wink


Cool, confirmed in other words (I read somewhere that Cosina made them but couldn't verify that source). So, in other words - the silver barrel of the 2000 USD Auto-Topcor is a 300 USD Voigtländer SL II 58/1.4 Nokton in disguise. That explains why it's so darn hard to find samples taken with the Auto-Topcor, I guess very few care to admit they overpaid for it.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtFlexTM.htm

Cosina's tribute to Topcon.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
(Cosina) Topcor 58mm f/1.4, limited edition for M42 and Nikon Ai-S mount, 800 manufactured (M42) and 800 in Nikon mount
7 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated, f/1.4 to f/16, 9 aperture blades, 58mm filter size, close focus 0.45m, max magn. ratio 1:5.8, weight 305 grams (Nikon)

(Cosina) Voigtländer SL II 58mm f/1.4 Nokton for Nikon Ai-S mount, still in production
7 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated, f/1.4 to f/16, 9 aperture blades, 58mm filter size, close focus 0.45m, max magn. ratio 1:5.8, weight 320g (Nikon)

Tthey seem identical by specs, and while Flickr samples aren't comparable they share the same bokeh characteristics. I'll get my hands on one next week, I'm curious to see if there is any difference between them at all.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, the lens leaves nothing to desire in terms of performance already wide open. I would never ever, however, pay more than what a Voigtländer SL II 58mm f/1.4 Nokton costs, because they indeed are optically identical. This is one of the best 50-something millimeter fast lenses you can buy for Nikon F-mount.

f/1.4 and minimum focusing distance


f/4 and minimum focusing distance


f/2 and minimum focusing distance


f/2.8 and minimum focusing distance, backfocused


f/4


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Esox lucius wrote:
(Cosina) Topcor 58mm f/1.4, limited edition for M42 and Nikon Ai-S mount, 800 manufactured (M42) and 800 in Nikon mount
7 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated, f/1.4 to f/16, 9 aperture blades, 58mm filter size, close focus 0.45m, max magn. ratio 1:5.8, weight 305 grams (Nikon)

(Cosina) Voigtländer SL II 58mm f/1.4 Nokton for Nikon Ai-S mount, still in production
7 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated, f/1.4 to f/16, 9 aperture blades, 58mm filter size, close focus 0.45m, max magn. ratio 1:5.8, weight 320g (Nikon)

Tthey seem identical by specs, and while Flickr samples aren't comparable they share the same bokeh characteristics. I'll get my hands on one next week, I'm curious to see if there is any difference between them at all.


how about the Re. Auto Topcor f1.4 58mm in Exakta mount, is it optically the same lens too?

edit: just found a thread which suggests that the Auto Topcor in Exakta mount and the Nokton are optically NOT identical, unfortunately the samples photos can't be seen any more, but differences are well described in words: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/43939-voigtlander-58mm-f-1-4-vs-topcor-58mm-f-1-4-anyone-interested.html
in this set some sample images can be found: http://www.flickr.com/photos/voe/sets/72157605156683456/with/3011525942/


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kuuan wrote:
how about the Re. Auto Topcor f1.4 58mm in Exakta mount, is it optically the same lens too?

edit: just found a thread which suggests that the Auto Topcor in Exakta mount and the Nokton are optically NOT identical, unfortunately the samples photos can't be seen any more, but differences are well described in words: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/43939-voigtlander-58mm-f-1-4-vs-topcor-58mm-f-1-4-anyone-interested.html
in this set some sample images can be found: http://www.flickr.com/photos/voe/sets/72157605156683456/with/3011525942/


To avoid confusement, I edited my reply with confirmed information: 1960's Topcor optical design is different from the Cosina manufactured "tribute" Auto-Topcor. New optical design, new coating etc. but externally the looks of the lens is similar.

The Auto-Topcor 58/1.4 made by Cosina is optically identical to the Voigtländer SL II 58/1.4 Nokton. In other words, the only reason the rare Cosina tribute Auto-Topcor 58/1.4 fetches 3-4 times the price of the SL II 58/1.4 Nokton is due to rarity (only 800 in M42 and 800 in Nikon N/Ai-S mount ever made).

Last edited by Esox lucius on Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:38 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
They're not. The M42 and Nikon mount Cosina Topcor lenses aren't actually Topcon lenses at all, as has already been pointed out. The original Topcors (exakta bayonet), actually made by Topcon are completely different lenses mechanically and optically, and were made decades ago. Cosina got permission to put the Topcor name on the modern lenses as a sort of homage to Topcon.

Here are some photos I found on flickr showing the Topcon version vs. the Cosina versions:

Topcor 58mm F1.4 by jore0902, on Flickr


Topcor 58mm F1.4 by jore0902, on Flickr


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
But those pictures only show how the exterior differs. I thought I read somewhere that Cosina was using the old Topcor optical design. The old RE Topcor 58/1.4 still commands high dollars - in the $200+ range. But still, one would be better off buying an old one or even a Cosina, plus new NEX-5N and an adapter and save money over the Nikon mount version.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Basic optical design is shared with most (if not all) lenses of 58mm focal length and max aperture f/1.4, double Gauss designs

Voigtländer SL II 58mm f/1.4 Nokton


Nikkor-S 5.8cm f/1.4


PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you look closely you can see that the front element of the original is larger than the on the Cosina versions. I'm sure they're similar designs, but the Topcon version is obviously different.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Neither of those is exactly like the 1963 Topcor. I have started a thread with the designs - see here:
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1288318.html#1288318


PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
Neither of those is exactly like the 1963 Topcor. I have started a thread with the designs - see here:
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1288318.html#1288318


Then you already knew the answer to your question. Confused


PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nope. Found out between posts.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Any idea wheter Tokyo Kogaku 50mm F1.4 M RE Topcor GN M is real Topcon or Cosina?


PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 12:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
IAZA wrote:
Any idea wheter Tokyo Kogaku 50mm F1.4 M RE Topcor GN M is real Topcon or Cosina?

The GN version is made by Topcon with radioactive element(s).


PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks Calvin for the information, now I have it Very Happy, not mint condition but I'm happy
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