Topcor RE Auto 87-205/4.7

frenched · Expire: 2014-06-17

Don't hear much about this lens. Maybe there's a reason for it. We know it's a do-over of the Sun 85-210/4.5. I really like Topcor products and had high hopes for it. While it can perform well if you work with it, I had generally spotty results. It seems that if the light is coming too much directly back into the lens the image looks a little washed out (shed photo). Light from an angle or in studio configuration and it does much better. Ergonomics strikes me as clumsy: Focus, zoom and aperature rings are far apart and not equi-distant so you feel like you're playing the trombone as you move your hand up and down setting up your shot. Not a loser of a lens, just. . . just. . . je ne c'est quoi.

#1 f/5.6 205mm

#2 f/8 205mm

#3 f/5.6 205mm

#4 f/8 180mm

#5 f/4.7 87mm

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1121

[quote="frenched"]. Ergonomics strikes me as clumsy: Focus, zoom and aperature rings are far apart and not equi-distant so you feel like you're playing the trombone as you move your hand up and down setting up your shot. Not a loser of a lens, just. . . just. . . je ne c'est quoi.

I know what you mean , I've got the 38-90mm 3.8 Sun in Nikon mount and it is a top quality made , smooth focus, no wobbling etc. but I find it weird to use and it's strength it's not 3.5 definitely Sad

I wonder how the macro MD 35-70 would do at 3.5 comparing to Sun, this last one it weights a lot also (comparing to others lenses same FL, maybe that's because the macro option, don't know, but the 62mm filter doesn't help).

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

It would be interesting to compare a Navy version to this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-TOPCON-N-TOPCOR-ORIGINAL-US-NAVY-RE-ZOOM-AUTO-87-205MM-4-7-F-4-7/292544863166

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Were these made by Topcon? I read somewhere they were manufactured for them by a 3rd party. I can't find the reference now. I was curious because I see some 3rd party lenses with VERY similar livery. EG Berolina :

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

Nope, not Topcon made.
AFAIK, the zooms were Sun, and the last RE's(RE Topcor) were from Cimko.

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

frenched · Expire: 2014-06-17

frenched · Expire: 2014-06-17

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 630 Location: New Zealand

#1

Sun 85-210 F/4.8

#2

Topcor 87-205 F/4.7

Agreed. The Sun and Topcor versions are cosmetically very very similar. There are differences, the aperture rings are in different locations. The Topcor has a traditional name ring at the front, the Sun has it on the hood. The fonts are slightly different. The similarities seem to outweigh the differences though. This lens from Sun came in a vast array of versions for a period of around 15 years (possibly longer) from around 1965, almost every two bit rebadger sold it at one point. I have it as a Sun Hi-Tele F/4.8 version, as well as a Petri badged version that is almost identical. For 1965, and for a zoom, I was very happy with the performance from a lens that can be had for around $10.

John Shriver · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 192

The only differences on the N for Navy lenses are the infinity lock, and possibly a peg sticking out of the focusing ring. They were used on US Navy "Orion" sub-hunter planes. The infinity lock is because the planes flew adequately high that fixed infinity focus was fine.

The cameras took a beating, being dropped on the floor of the cockpit.

I've seen some N lenses for sale on eBay crudely engraved (scratched) with particular Orion unit numbers, like VP-10.