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Pretty good buy on Topcon RE 58 1.8
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:17 am    Post subject: Pretty good buy on Topcon RE 58 1.8 Reply with quote

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=topcon+re&_sacat=78997&_pgn=2

I don't have any dogs in this race. (I already have 2 of these!) Also I'm saving money for a trip to Australia and my wife is after me for spending too much on lenses lately. Seems a pretty good deal to me.....


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, save your dollars and come visit us out here.
Exchange rate is excellent for you and the country is really wonderful.
When will you likely visit?
Tom


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your link isn't for any particular auction, there is one "for parts", "not working", so if someone intends to buy, read the description.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is the short and sweet on this lens? I'd only buy it to adapt it to Minolta SR which seems possible, but the difficult of finding an adapter seems hardly worth it as I have nice MC 58/1.4, 50/1.4 and 55/1.7.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oldhand wrote:
Yes, save your dollars and come visit us out here.
Exchange rate is excellent for you and the country is really wonderful.
When will you likely visit?
Tom


March-April. Going to Cairn for some diving then a then several other places. Then a hop to NZ for a week then Fiji for 5 days. I am really looking forward to it as I've not had a real vacation in over 2 years.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cooltouch, Sorry I must have garbled the cu/paste

It is the "parts" one for 49 USD plus shipping but the only issueappears to be minor damage to front lens element so likely no significant effect on IQ. So a user not a collector but it is a very good quality optic.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topcon-Re-Auto-Topcor-58mm-5-8cm-F-1-8-1-8-58-50mm-Exakta-Manual-Prime-Lens-Read/112644496406?hash=item1a3a229c16:g:o1gAAOSwl2haDoUR


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jamaeolus wrote:
Oldhand wrote:
Yes, save your dollars and come visit us out here.
Exchange rate is excellent for you and the country is really wonderful.
When will you likely visit?
Tom


March-April. Going to Cairn for some diving then a then several other places. Then a hop to NZ for a week then Fiji for 5 days. I am really looking forward to it as I've not had a real vacation in over 2 years.


Great time of year to be visiting the north.
Wish I lived closer - I would say hello.
The distance from where I live to Cairns is like from Sacramento to Atlanta Smile
Enjoy
Tom


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jamaeolus wrote:
Cooltouch, Sorry I must have garbled the cu/paste

It is the "parts" one for 49 USD plus shipping but the only issueappears to be minor damage to front lens element so likely no significant effect on IQ. So a user not a collector but it is a very good quality optic.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topcon-Re-Auto-Topcor-58mm-5-8cm-F-1-8-1-8-58-50mm-Exakta-Manual-Prime-Lens-Read/112644496406?hash=item1a3a229c16:g:o1gAAOSwl2haDoUR


I was interested till I saw the description that the aperture doesn't open all the way.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Teemō wrote:
What is the short and sweet on this lens? I'd only buy it to adapt it to Minolta SR which seems possible, but the difficult of finding an adapter seems hardly worth it as I have nice MC 58/1.4, 50/1.4 and 55/1.7.


The Minolta MC-II 1.4/58mm has better corners than the RE Topcor 1.4/58mm (which is obvious since the Topcon is quite asymmetric [small opening of the Exakta mount!), and therefore more difficult to correct than the Minolta).

The RE Topcor 1.8/58mm doesn't have that much asymmetry (Edixa bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses). It is a much sharper lens than the f1.4 RE Topcor. My feeling is that the RE 1.8/58 is even better than the Minolta MC-I and MC-II 1.7/55mm (i have several copies of both the RE 1.8/58mm and the MC 1.7/55mm, but i have never compared them thoroughly).

Stephan

EDIT: the above text contains a mistake - it should say "Exakta bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses" (and not "Edixa bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses"). Edixa of course has M42.


Last edited by stevemark on Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:41 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 4:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a silver RE 58/1.8 I would be willing to let go, it's a good one, sharp, and pristine glass, the grip is missing, I used electrical tape to fill the groove where the grip is.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What's a reasonable price in USD for one of these in excellent condition?


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

invisible wrote:
What's a reasonable price in USD for one of these in excellent condition?

God question. I got all my 1.8/58mm RE Topcors together with a body; sometimes also with an entire set of lenses.

First was a very nice early RE super with an 1.4(!)/5.8cm for CHF/USD 108.--
Next came a slightly dangled RE Super with a good 1.8/58mm, a perfect 4/20mm and a (also very nice) 2.8/10cm for about CHF/USD 280.--
Then a RE Super with 1.8/58mm plus 3.5/58mm Macro plus 5.6/200mm for about CHF 180.--
THen a black RE super with a black 1.8/58mm, glass OK but black color partly scratched, for CHF/USD 35.--
And finally (?) a set with a Super D & winder, 1.8/58mm, 3.5/30mm Micro, 3.5/58mm Macro, and 2.8/100mm for about CHF 250.--

If i look at these prices, i would say roughly CHF/USD 50.-- for a very nice RE 1.8/58mm, here in Switzerland ...

Stephan


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevemark wrote:
Teemō wrote:
What is the short and sweet on this lens? I'd only buy it to adapt it to Minolta SR which seems possible, but the difficult of finding an adapter seems hardly worth it as I have nice MC 58/1.4, 50/1.4 and 55/1.7.


The Minolta MC-II 1.4/58mm has better corners than the RE Topcor 1.4/58mm (which is obvious since the Topcon is quite asymmetric [small opening of the Exakta mount!), and therefore more difficult to correct than the Minolta).

The RE Topcor 1.8/58mm doesn't have that much asymmetry (Edixa bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses). It is a much sharper lens than the f1.4 RE Topcor. My feeling is that the RE 1.8/58 is even better than the Minolta MC-I and MC-II 1.7/55mm (i have several copies of both the RE 1.8/58mm and the MC 1.7/55mm, but i have never compared them thoroughly).

Stephan


Right so are there two types of this 58/1.8, one in Edixa and one in Exakta that are optically different for that reason? It'd be interesting to compare them as in my real world photos, my MC-II 55/1.7 produced consistently good images. I didn't get to test it much wide open but even stopped down it was noticeably better than other lenses. My MC-I 58/1.4 has other aberrations which you describe as being remedied on the MC-II. US$50 is reasonable for this sort of lens but I wouldn't pay that for one in 'parts' condition.
It might be of interest to those with APS-C mirrorless as the Minolta already has an excellent reputation for an affordable portrait lens in that format.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I regret not buying a very clean black one for $30 buy it now price. It was taken down the next day Sad


PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Teemō wrote:
stevemark wrote:

...
The RE Topcor 1.8/58mm doesn't have that much asymmetry (Edixa bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses).
...
Stephan


Right so are there two types of this 58/1.8, one in Edixa and one in Exakta that are optically different for that reason?
...


Sorry, i made a mistake!! It should say "Exakta bayonet", of course (Edixa is M42, anyway). To the best of my knowledge there is only one computation of RE Topcor 1.8/58mm, but there are slightly different barrels (early "5.8cm" and later "58mm", or "black painted" vs "silver anodized").

The Exakta bayonet has a very small opening (not much more than 30mm).
Any 58mm 1:1.4 lens must have an entrance pupil of about 41-42mm (= 58mm / 1.4).
If it was buit symmetrically (which make correction of three of the five Seidel aberrations relatively easy!!), the exit pupil would be about 41.5mm in diameter as well. The common SLR mounts all have a diameter of about 42-45mm.
Since the Exakta (Topcon) bayonet has such a small diameter, the RE Topcor 58mm 1:1.4 lens cannot be built symmetrically, and thus is much more difficult to correct than an "ordinary" 58mm 1:1.4 lens.

Stephan


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevemark wrote:
Teemō wrote:
stevemark wrote:

...
The RE Topcor 1.8/58mm doesn't have that much asymmetry (Edixa bayonet is large enough for f1.8 lenses).
...
Stephan


Right so are there two types of this 58/1.8, one in Edixa and one in Exakta that are optically different for that reason?
...


Sorry, i made a mistake!! It should say "Exakta bayonet", of course (Edixa is M42, anyway). To the best of my knowledge there is only one computation of RE Topcor 1.8/58mm, but there are slightly different barrels (early "5.8cm" and later "58mm", or "black painted" vs "silver anodized").
Stephan

There is more than one formulation, there are 3, I posted this in another thread:


Code 62B based on the F Auto-Topcor from: 620001 to 625115 (1963)
Code 99B new optics,2nd and 3rd elements were separated. from 99xxxxx to 9901920 (1964)
Code 116B new mechanicals, from 1160001 to 11608302 (1965)
Code 129B (black or chrome) optics changed again From: 1161xxxx to 11670435 last known (1966) I have the chrome version, awesome lens.
Code 129BD (Navy) from: 1165xxxx to 11650401 last known (1967)
Code 129BG AUTO-TOPCOR (black) from: 1168xxxx to 11685922 last known (1971)

Up till 11649999 focal length was in cm.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 2:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Teemō wrote:
What is the short and sweet on this lens? I'd only buy it to adapt it to Minolta SR which seems possible, but the difficult of finding an adapter seems hardly worth it as I have nice MC 58/1.4, 50/1.4 and 55/1.7.

You're in luck!
https://m.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OLD-STOCK-GENUINE-ORIGINAL-MINOLTA-BRAND-EXAKTA-TO-MINOLTA-LENS-ADAPTER/152781428868


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lightshow wrote:

...
There is more than one formulation, there are 3, I posted this in another thread:


Code 62B based on the F Auto-Topcor from: 620001 to 625115 (1963)
Code 99B new optics,2nd and 3rd elements were separated. from 99xxxxx to 9901920 (1964)
Code 116B new mechanicals, from 1160001 to 11608302 (1965)
Code 129B (black or chrome) optics changed again From: 1161xxxx to 11670435 last known (1966) I have the chrome version, awesome lens.
Code 129BD (Navy) from: 1165xxxx to 11650401 last known (1967)
Code 129BG AUTO-TOPCOR (black) from: 1168xxxx to 11685922 last known (1971)

Up till 11649999 focal length was in cm.


Thank you for this precise information!! Are there any images of the different lens section available?

Stephan


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevemark wrote:
Thank you for this precise information!! Are there any images of the different lens section available?

It would be great to compare all three designs side-by-side. I guess there are users who own multiple 58/1.8s Wink


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevemark wrote:

...
To the best of my knowledge there is only one computation of RE Topcor 1.8/58mm, but there are slightly different barrels (early "5.8cm" and later "58mm", or "black painted" vs "silver anodized").
...
Stephan


I took my information from this list:
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lenscut.htm

@ Lightshow: Could you provide a link to your earlier writings about the different versions of the RE Auto Topcor 1.8/58mm? And do you have any specific sources and/or images concerning the three different lens sections?

Thank you Wink Stephan


PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 11:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They all basically look the same, the 129BG has the biggest difference, I'll try and find some pictures on the net.
The serial number is the best way to ID them.
The info I posted is from the book "Topcon Story"


PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lightshow wrote:

...
The info I posted is from the book "Topcon Story"


Thank you for this information Wink

Stephan


PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, here's a few links of the different versions, I couldn't find any of the 116B, but it looks the same as the others, again, serial number will be the easiest way to ID which version you're looking at.
Note you'll also see some have a red dot @ focus distance mark, others have a green dot.
Also early lenses seem to be more likely to have the rubber focus ring deteriorated.

Code 62B based on the F Auto-Topcor from: 620001 to 625115 (1963)
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w193621751
Here's an F.Auto for comparison https://www.wesellyourcollection.com/topcon/product/03-beseler-b-topcon-r-camera-sn-151895-and-waist-level-finder-and-35-cm-128-auto-topcor-lens-sn-671524/

Code 99B new optics,2nd and 3rd elements were separated. from 99xxxxx to 9901920 (1964)
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/v512248602

Code 116B new mechanicals, from 1160001 to 11608302 (1965)

Code 129B (black or chrome) optics changed again From: 1161xxxx to 11670435 last known (1966) I have the chrome version, awesome lens.
Silver https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/v524704827
Black https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d248223663

Code 129BD (Navy) from: 1165xxxx to 11650401 last known (1967)
https://www.wesellyourcollection.com/topcon/product/06-topcor-58-mm-f18-black-topcor-navy-lens/

Code 129BG AUTO-TOPCOR (black) from: 1168xxxx to 11685922 last known (1971)
https://www.wesellyourcollection.com/topcon/product/01-topcon-super-d-sn-7101582-with-re-auto-topcor-58mm-11-8-black-lens-sn-11682230-and-sunhood/

Up till 11649999 focal length was in cm.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry folks I missed the aperture issue. The price is now at 45 with 8 shipping still not an unreasonable price.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lightshow wrote:
The info I posted is from the book "Topcon Story"
I wish I landed my hands on it someday... It is available in a few German libraries, IIRC.