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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 436
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 5:04 am Post subject: Topcor 58 3.5 Macro Overview |
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cbass wrote:
I did some research on this and found some old documents from Topcon on the 58 3.5 macro. I have decided to make a thread about it and hopefully someone finds this information useful. I don't think this information is published elsewhere on this forum.
There are two versions of this lens. The optics are identical. One is like any other RE Auto-Topcor lens and comes with a focusing helicoid and a hyperfocal scale. The other is just the optics and is intended to be used with the variable extension tube or bellows.
The variable extension tube is basically a focusing helicoid.
The variable extension tube has no hyperfocal markings. However, it has a unique advantage if you plan to adapt the lens. It has no aperture pin. That means you can use a Fotasy Copper Auto Topcon to Canon adapter to mount to a Canon DSLR or use the same adapter to mount to a focal reducer like the lens turbo II if you plan to use on APS-C. The aperture pin on other Re Auto-Topcor lenses makes this impossible without shearing off the pin and altering the original lens.
Both lenses in this configuration are capable of 1:2. For 1:1 you can get a RE Auto Ring which brings back the aperture pin. The RE Auto ring is 29mm. There is a 30mm extension tube without the aperture pin. I am not sure if you can use that instead of the RE Auto ring to get 1:1.
Now for some boring sample pictures taken with the lens.
I tested Topcon's claim that his lens matches the standard lens ( 58 f/1.8 ) performance at infinity and indeed it's true.
The pictures above were shot at f/11 and even stopped down further and the lens still remains very sharp. The only disadvantage seems to be that it's slow at f/3.5. |
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jamaeolus
Joined: 19 Mar 2014 Posts: 2913 Location: Eugene
Expire: 2015-08-20
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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jamaeolus wrote:
Thanks for the references. Yes the 58mm 3.5 macro is a fantastic lens. I lucked into a relatively inexpensive one in a lot of Topcon stuff that was poorly delineated. Just remarkably sharp. If you watch closely there are still bargains to be had out there. _________________ photos are moments frozen in time |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:58 am Post subject: |
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Lightshow wrote:
Note: There is also a black version of the RE Macro 58/3.5, and a black version of the variable extension tube.
My RE 58/3.5 Macro, it came with a different rubber grip, I disassembled it to do a CLA. Awesome lens.
_________________ A Manual Focus Junky...
One photographers junk lens is an artists favorite tool.
My lens list
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightshow-photography/ |
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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 436
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 3:57 am Post subject: |
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cbass wrote:
If you don't want to pay for the Topcor, then as far as I can tell the Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 lens is the same optical formula. However, you shouldn't believe me because I have never compared the two lenses against each other. |
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55
Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 700 Location: U.S.
Expire: 2022-06-15
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:41 am Post subject: |
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55 wrote:
cbass wrote: |
If you don't want to pay for the Topcor, then as far as I can tell the Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 lens is the same optical formula. However, you shouldn't believe me because I have never compared the two lenses against each other. |
Thanks for the photos and info. I don't own any Topcor gear, but I have a Nikon 55mm f/3.5 macro lens and an instruction manual.
For comparison below, I've quoted cbass' Topcor 58 diagram and then included the specs and diagram for the Nikon 55 macro.
cbass wrote: |
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Micro Nikkor P Auto 55mm f/3.5
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kds315*
Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 16497 Location: Weinheim, Germany
Expire: 2021-03-09
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:26 am Post subject: |
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kds315* wrote:
Lightshow wrote: |
Note: There is also a black version of the RE Macro 58/3.5, and a black version of the variable extension tube.
My RE 58/3.5 Macro, it came with a different rubber grip, I disassembled it to do a CLA. Awesome lens.
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Yep, this is what I have as a set...
Awesome lens indeed!! _________________ Klaus - Admin
"S'il vient a point, me souviendra" [Thomas Bohier (1460-1523)]
http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums my albums using various lenses
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV BLOG
http://www.travelmeetsfood.com/blog Food + Travel BLOG
https://galeriafotografia.com Architecture + Drone photography
Currently most FAV lens(es):
X80QF f3.2/80mm
Hypergon f11/26mm
ELCAN UV f5.6/52mm
Zeiss UV-Planar f4/60mm
Zeiss UV-Planar f2/62mm
Lomo Уфар-12 f2.5/41mm
Lomo Зуфар-2 f4.0/350mm
Lomo ZIKAR-1A f1.2/100mm
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Zeiss UV-Sonnar f4.3/105mm
CERCO UV-VIS-NIR f1.8/45mm
CERCO UV-VIS-NIR f4.1/94mm
CERCO UV-VIS-NIR f2.8/100mm
Steinheil Quarzobjektiv f1.8/50mm
Pentax Quartz Takumar f3.5/85mm
Carl Zeiss Jena UV-Objektiv f4/60mm
NYE OPTICAL Lyman-Alpha II f1.1/90mm
NYE OPTICAL Lyman-Alpha I f2.8/200mm
COASTAL OPTICS f4/60mm UV-VIS-IR Apo
COASTAL OPTICS f4.5/105mm UV-Micro-Apo
Pentax Ultra-Achromatic Takumar f4.5/85mm
Pentax Ultra-Achromatic Takumar f5.6/300mm
Rodenstock UV-Rodagon f5.6/60mm + 105mm + 150mm
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Blazer0ne
Joined: 12 Sep 2018 Posts: 836
Expire: 2024-12-07
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Blazer0ne wrote:
...
Last edited by Blazer0ne on Tue Feb 22, 2022 6:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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John Shriver
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 192
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:29 am Post subject: |
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John Shriver wrote:
Do not forget the case for the short-mount lens:
The rear lens cap is very hard to find:
Here's the rear lens cap on the lens:
I was lucky in that when I bought the case, it had the rear lens cap in it. |
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John Shriver
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 192
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:32 am Post subject: |
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John Shriver wrote:
Very interesting that the formula is very similar to the famous Micro-Nikkor. But the cemented group in the Topcor has a curved surface between the two elements, where the Nikkor has a flat surface, which is cheaper to manufacture.
My understanding is that this is the "Xenotar" derivative of the double-Gauss lens design. |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 9:26 am Post subject: |
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Lightshow wrote:
I wouldn't jump to any conclusions regarding flatness of the doublet's common surface, the surface is vary nearly flat so the diagram could have lost it's curvature in the graphics department, you would have to look at the actual formula or the actual dublet to know for sure. _________________ A Manual Focus Junky...
One photographers junk lens is an artists favorite tool.
My lens list
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightshow-photography/ |
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John Shriver
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 192
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:30 am Post subject: |
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John Shriver wrote:
I recently read somewhere online that putting a planar surface inside a cemented doublet is an economy measure. Increases yield. |
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Blazer0ne
Joined: 12 Sep 2018 Posts: 836
Expire: 2024-12-07
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:02 am Post subject: |
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Blazer0ne wrote:
...
Last edited by Blazer0ne on Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jamaeolus
Joined: 19 Mar 2014 Posts: 2913 Location: Eugene
Expire: 2015-08-20
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:31 am Post subject: |
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jamaeolus wrote:
_________________ photos are moments frozen in time |
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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 436
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:39 am Post subject: |
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cbass wrote:
Got the job done today. Cropped and processed. Using 1:1 extension tube.
The spider in the picture is tiny. I have bigger moles.
Is that rear cap valuable?
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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 436
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:54 am Post subject: |
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cbass wrote:
Blazer0ne wrote: |
This macro lens was advertised at optimum for 1:10 and same for the Nikkor. That's roughly the size of a shoe.
From 1:1 to 3.6:1 the Topcor chart states to use a reverse-adapter ring with bellows.
Has anyone observed the performance of this lens when reverse mounted? |
I have bellows so can test it at greater than 1:1. It may be optimized for 1:10. However, it performs outside of that range including infinity. I have tested at infinity against the 58mm f/1.8. |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:07 am Post subject: |
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Lightshow wrote:
cbass wrote: |
Is that rear cap valuable? |
It's quite rare, probably because it's not marked "Topcon" and gets lost or misplaced and tossed because of that.
The odds of finding one by it's self will be very low. _________________ A Manual Focus Junky...
One photographers junk lens is an artists favorite tool.
My lens list
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightshow-photography/ |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Blazer0ne
Joined: 12 Sep 2018 Posts: 836
Expire: 2024-12-07
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 3:38 am Post subject: |
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Blazer0ne wrote:
...
Last edited by Blazer0ne on Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019 Posts: 436
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:43 am Post subject: |
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cbass wrote:
I have the rear cap. If it was valuable I was going to sell it. |
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Lightshow
Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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Lightshow wrote:
cbass wrote: |
I have the rear cap. If it was valuable I was going to sell it. |
It's only expensive if you don't have one and need one, and it's worthless if you have one and want $. _________________ A Manual Focus Junky...
One photographers junk lens is an artists favorite tool.
My lens list
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightshow-photography/ |
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