Komura 200/3.5 Visoflex - another in the collection

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I actually obtained this one some time ago, but I had to unstick the gummed-up helical. The glass was always perfect, thank goodness. Its now in working order.

It came with a Canon M39/Visoflex adapter, but as I have a Pentax camera, like my other Komura Visoflex items I just use an M39-M42 adapter and an extension ring.

So now I have the Komura 200mm, 300mm and 400mm in this series. Missing are a 135mm and a 500mm. The collecting bug is a pathetic disease.

Samples- it was a foggy day -

This was at f/3.5 -

100% crop -

The bird - f/4 or 5.6

Crop -

On the whole I would say this is not my best 200mm, which is still the Sears/Tokina, but its more than adequate and it has the advantage of oddity, which is more important to a collector than a serious photographer.

Peterrr · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

I have a similar lens, the Sankyo Kohki Super Komura 200mm f3.5.
As I bought it, I thought it should be possible to get an adapter easily for M42 or OM (the 2 MF mounts I use). But these uni auto adapters seem to be quite rare, and when I see them it seems they are for rare mounts. I got my lens with an Icarex adapter. So any Voigtlander owner can knock at my door to get this adapter.
So as it is, I can't use the lens. Do you think it has the same quality as your lens, Luis?
I think I will hang on to it and wait if I'll get lucky later.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Its probably the same as mine, in a different mount.

I have seen M42 Komura uni-auto lenses on ebay, its worth trying for one of the 28's, 35's or 135's. They aren't usually expensive.

I won't say that 200mm Komura is an exceptional lens, just decent.

maddog10 · Expire: 2015-02-12

Samples look good and I can tell that it is a DIFFERENT bird Laughing

I like the contrast between the statue and the Indiana Jones poster.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Hey, what good timing -

Here's a Komura lens with a uni auto M42 mount -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Komura-28mm-f3-5-Wide-Angle-Lens-SP-Screw-Mount_W0QQitemZ120276919905QQihZ002QQcategoryZ707QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

nice samples, must be a good lens as I don't see the foggy day
my favorites are #1#3

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Very nice samples. Love the bird and the busses.

Peterrr · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

Thank you Luis,
Good timing indeed. It is a pity that the shipping cost 30 USD to the Netherlands. Do you think the 28mm lens is worthwhile (equal to my Vivitar)?

The Komura 200/3.5 looks and feels very sturdy. How is your experience with the colors?

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

" Do you think the 28mm lens is worthwhile (equal to my Vivitar)? "

Its probably nothing special, but thats just my guess.

The colors out of the Komura 200 look fine to me, my samples were not adjusted for color, saturation or anything like that - the only things I change are brightness and contrast if I underexpose.

pdccameras · Expire: 2014-08-11

Hi Luis,

I have this lens with an almost frozen helical. I have tried lighter fluid and graphite, baking in the oven, etc. etc. and nothing significantly improves performance. What is the difficulty level of the operation you performed? What kind of new lube did you use?

P.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I don't recall exactly what I did to dismantle this, it was some years ago.
I probably used lighter fluid and WD-40 to unstick the helical.
I know I used silicone grease later.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

This happens to me every time I read an old post. I think it's recent until finally noticing the original post date - in this case, four years old. Luis: Do you still want a 500mm? I have one that I'll gladly sell cheap. I used your recommendation to fit it via a series of M42 rings, and while that worked, I have not been able to get along with this lens.