Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Tomioka
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:05 pm    Post subject: Tomioka Reply with quote
I've developed the perception that the name Tomioka is revered as quality, which is easy since it is mentioned frequently in this forum and elsewhere. However, aside from my one Mamiya-Sekor Tomioka lens, I have no other experience. What is the history of Tomioka that makes it so desirable? Also, how many focal lengths and variations are we aware of that were produced by Tomioka? Are they all considered to be excellent?


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There are "known good" Tomioka-made lenses is the best I can do to explain this.

The 55/1.2, 60/2.8 macro, and the common 55/1.4 had a lot of fans because they deliver good performance.

Now, I think the relative mystery of the Tomioka brand and the attactions of the exotic or of "secret" insider knowledge has added to the simple attractions of decent performance and created a bit of a cult.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
My own, cynical viewpoint...

Tomioka was in the lens making business for a long time and earned a reputation for making a consistently good product for several, perhaps many camera manufacturers, one of which was Yashica. Yashica purchased Tomioka, as documented elsewhere. During this period, no one was raving about Tomioka lenses.

By the mid 1970s, Yashica/Tomioka entered a partnership with Carl Zeiss to manufacture the revived line of Zeiss Contax cameras and lenses. Internet lore indicates that Tomioka manufactured the Zeiss branded lenses while the Yashica branded lenses were farmed out to other makers.

It is the Tomioka/Zeiss association that has caused a reputation to accrete around the earlier, unassociated Tomioka lenses. Much like an American driver pointing out that their Chevrolet was manufactured by the same parent corporation as a Cadillac.

By no means am I inferring that Tomioka makes bad lenses or exceptionally good lenses. Just that the current reputation and cult following came from the Zeiss association.

Bill


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
But kind of no idea on this one? http://forum.mflenses.com/voigtlaender-1-4-55mm-color-ultron-mamiya-thus-tomioka-t41302.html


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tomioka made lens for Chinon too I have a Tomioka 21mm f3.5 M42 lens, great performer! As I know Tomioka made for a while at least Yashica 35 Electro lenses. I just test and sold one black Electro 35 it was shockingly good.


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pancolart wrote:
But kind of no idea on this one? http://forum.mflenses.com/voigtlaender-1-4-55mm-color-ultron-mamiya-thus-tomioka-t41302.html


There are not enough pictures at that site to make comparisons. This collection from Dimitry provides pictures from many angles that allow for direct comparisons. https://picasaweb.google.com/dimitrygo/55mmF14LensesInAlphabeticalOrder#

The aperture blades seem to be an indication. Sometimes there is same style focusing ring, like with Chinon leatherette. I have seen that same leatherette look on other lenses, including other focal lengths; 35mm, 28mm, 100mm. Also share the aperture blades. Are these conclusive signs?


PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
perhaps someone know this http://www.tomioka.de/tomioka_e_main.htm?action=news


PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
That site is excellent, but unfortunately only speaks about one lens (in addition to company history). Would be nice to identify other lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think Tomioka got the credit because it created the first (and probably the only) f/1.2 standard lens for M42 mount Smile


PostPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 12:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
no-X wrote:
I think Tomioka got the credit because it created the first (and probably the only) f/1.2 standard lens for M42 mount Smile

That's certainly part of the "mystique".

Bill


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Should I turn this into the "All that is Tomioka" thread?

I have just purchased a Pentor 100mm lens that I believe might be a Tomioka. It has the same type blades used for the diaphragm and the lens barrel is much like the Tomioka made Chinon lenses found on Dimitry's site. Peter, aka Spotmatic, posted about this lens here: http://forum.mflenses.com/pentor-100mm-f-2-8-better-than-average-t37140,highlight,%2Bpentor.html

The was a mention of Tomioka in that thread, but no other discussion. Obviously Pentor was not a lens maker or optical manufacturer, and there were other apparent examples of this lens under other name, one being Chinon. Any opinion on whether or not my observations are valid?





PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Darn it would be so easy to say Tomioka with CHINON gehäuse. What puzzles me the distinctive "down-turned" apertures found on CHINON M42 55mm are missing.
Linked from: http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123552

So few explanations are offering but i don't fell speculating at the moment.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was referring to these Chinons from Dimitry's site:
https://picasaweb.google.com/dimitrygo/55mmF14LensesInAlphabeticalOrder#5540171002452040338

https://picasaweb.google.com/dimitrygo/55mmF14LensesInAlphabeticalOrder#5540193131202844242


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have found an interesting silver variation named "Auto Beriflex":

http://acousticatrade.blogspot.com/2009/09/m42-lens-for-sale-beriflex-100mm-f28.html


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:

I have just purchased a Pentor 100mm lens that I believe might be a Tomioka. It has the same type blades used for the diaphragm and the lens barrel is much like the Tomioka made Chinon lenses found on Dimitry's site. Peter, aka Spotmatic, posted about this lens here: http://forum.mflenses.com/pentor-100mm-f-2-8-better-than-average-t37140,highlight,%2Bpentor.html

The was a mention of Tomioka in that thread, but no other discussion. Obviously Pentor was not a lens maker or optical manufacturer, and there were other apparent examples of this lens under other name, one being Chinon. Any opinion on whether or not my observations are valid?


As I already has mentioned in several threads about this and similar lenses like Porst, Vivitar etc. they are probably not from Tomioka. I have this lens under Soligor badge (although a focusing goes in an opposite direction) and (according to this forum common effort to identify Soligor lens maker) it is made by Sun.

If you wanted another Tomioka this probably will upset you. But this is very very good lens so you shouldn't be too much upset.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Peter: Have you sold your Pentor? Did you buy the Auto Beriflex?


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No, I still have the Pentor because it's such a good performer. I'm not planning to sell it.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
A Tomioka-Chinon 100mm variant. The design is VERY similar but the differences are there (for instance the focusing ring turns into opposite direction when compared to the Pentor etc. variants).

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-119684380-teleobjetivo-chinon-100mm-f28-rosca-universal-made-in-japan-_JM


PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
However you find all that stuff... The Chinon is obviously a Tomioka and the similarities are striking. How does one make a connection if not from the similarities and differences - and is the rotation of the focus ring more a factor than the design of the lens barrel? It would be nice if that Chinon had shown the aperture blades. It would be even better to compare the optics.

No, I won't be disappointed if the lens turns out not to be a Tomioka - I'll be more surprised than disappointed. I didn't buy the lens for that reason, I bought it because of Peter's results. Peter, when I was web searching the lens I saw that you had posted it at several forum sites, which gave me the sense that you were quite impressed with it too. I was wondering if your shots were from a FF camera because that would provide better images. Several of your images have a 3-D pop, especially the jumping skater. We'll see if my results are in the same quality range as yours.

I also noted from your considerable lens list that you also have Meyer Orestor and Meyer Trioplan 100mm lenses. Can you comment on how the Pentor compares to those ?


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just to throw fuel on the fire, I have a Pentor 35mm that might be a CHINON or even a TOMIOKA?


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Spotmatic wrote:
A Tomioka-Chinon 100mm variant. The design is VERY similar but the differences are there (for instance the focusing ring turns into opposite direction when compared to the Pentor etc. variants).

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-119684380-teleobjetivo-chinon-100mm-f28-rosca-universal-made-in-japan-_JM


Wow this is definitely a Tomioka lens. I mean even without a label you can find several elements identical to Yashika lenses made by Tomioka.


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It would be cool to know the design. It's not Orestor copy, since rear element goes much deeper and is turned inward. I have same optic system also in Tamron lens body (silver styled like Beroflex).


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pancolart wrote:
It would be cool to know the design. It's not Orestor copy, since rear element goes much deeper and is turned inward. I have same optic system also in Tamron lens body (silver styled like Beroflex).


You mean that the last element of the Chinonflex/Pentor etc. goes deeper into the body. Indeed; also the last element is almost perfectly flat.


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote







Deeper into the body of camera and more out of lens compared to Orestor.
Rear element on both of my lenses (PORST looking like Pentor) and silver Berolina is concave not flat. Optics surely the same, even coating colors.


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Indeed; it's hard to see though if the last element is concave or flat.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2