Tokyo Kogaku 135/3.5 RE, Auto-Topcor

[woodrim]

Another Topcor recently acquired to use with new NEX. This one seems quite sharp, although I haven't had an opportunity to do a side by side with one of my other sharpest lenses. The bokeh seems busy at times, but in fairness, the day was extremely bright and the lens had to be stopped down in most situations. However, I have seen wide open shots and they are nearly as sharp as when stopped down.

1.


2.


3. A vertical crop from horizontal picture


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.


10.

[Lena]

How far away from the first bird where you for #6?

[Hari]

Nice series, great results from the lens! 4, 6, 8 and 9 are brilliant!

[woodrim]

[Hari]

I'm surfing via my mobile phone so probably erring but doesnt the rendering look very similar to the Tair-11? 133mm f2.8

[woodrim]

I don't know about that, Hari, I'll have to do some similar photos to compare. I do know that the Tair-11 is at the very top of my list of bokeh - even better than the Meyer Orestor in my opinion. From what I see of the Topcor 58/1.8, it may have similar qualities. You'll need to view these at full screen to appreciate better. ... And thanks for your earlier comments.

[ChromaticAberration]

Wow, very nice! Not the most challenging focal length but still great results!

[iangreenhalgh1]

I directly compared this lens to the Konica Hexanon 3.2/135, Jupiter-11A 4/135 and Konica Hexanon 3.5/135 early version, all are excellent, very sharp lenses.

The two best were the Hexanon 3.2/135 and the Topcor.

I then did a direct comparison of those two. The Topcor was slightly better, it had slightly higher sharpness and microcontrast, which is really something as the Hexanon 3.2/135 is a fantastic lens. The Topcor also had slightly richer colour rendition.

The 1.8/58 and 5.6/200 Topcors are wonderful too, I compared the 1.8/58 to my Biotar T 2/58 and Pancolar 1.8/50, the Topcor was sharper than both by a visible margin and had more saturated colours, bokeh of the Topcor is an acquired taste, I really like it, find it painterly, but it might be a bit busy to some people.

Eventually I will collect the other RE Topcors, but they aren't very affordable, the 1.8/58, 3.5/135 and 5.6/200 are the most common and cheap. I'd dearly love the 1.4/58 but it's an expensive and rare item, from samples I've seen, it's probably one of the best 50-ish lenses around. I'd love the 20 and 25mm lenses too as I mostly shoot wide angles. The 1.4/58 was copied by Cosina to make the Voigtlander 1.4/58.

This is a rare and unusual thing, no idea if it's been converted or came from the Topcon factory in Nikon mount:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon-Auto-Topcor-58mm-F1-4-Silver-Lens-Limited-Edition-for-Nikon-Mount-/220960867108?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item33724b4324#ht_537wt_1397

[dimitrygo]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Ooh, interesting, I have read a few comments saying they copied the formula but your link sounds like a credible source.

So that Nikon mount Topcor 1.4/58 I liked to is a Cosina made one?

I'm sure I'd be able to tell if I had one in my hands, the Topcon lenses are probably the finest engineering of all lenses (perhaps Contarex Zeiss were better, never held one) the feel of them is exceptionally nice, I doubt the Cosinas feel the same, even if they look the same.

[casualcollector]

[Mir]

Just finishd reassembling my RE, Auto-Topcor 3,5/13,5cm #7607071

Cleaned it and lubed it and didn't even need touch the lens block....

Now it's like new ..... I can't wait to use it !

I got a bunch of auctions going on on ebay and if all goes well i'll get me
another M42 adapter and see if all is fine....

I guess this one is an earlier version... Anyone knows anything about it ??


@woodrim
I hope you finally got the 100mm back together....

[Lightshow]

I have an older R 135/3.5 preset, it is also great, I too did a clean and lube without touching the optics as much as possible, which seem to have a clarity that other lenses that I've worked on just didn't have.

Ian the 35/2.8 doesn't seem that rare either and looks like it's also great performer.

I think I posted this in the 58/1.8 thread about the 58/1.4 being reissued in a limited run in F & M42 by CV with permission of Topcon,
I'd love to see them return to making camera lenses.

Edit: Great shots btw, really helps show what a good lens can do when used in capable hands.

[Billou]

Very nice pictures, showing what this great 135mm can do.

You might also consider the 100mm f/2.8. It's my favorite in the Topcor lineup, the bokeh is a bit more diffuse and painterly, and it's not very expensive. A great focal length on APS-C. I will make some pictures with it in the next few days and share them.

[Lightshow]

My latest shot from the lens I posted about above:
R 135/3.5 preset, wide open, hand held @ 1/125 on NEX-7 ISO-250

Click through for larger version

And yes the 58/1.4 is worthy of the hype.

[kds315*]

Nice results indeed. Must resist temptation...

[woodrim]

I like that picture very much. Often times Mama will take the babies into the water when someone approaches - I suppose creating another opportunity, but you were fortunate to capture them as you did. Nice job.

[Lightshow]

Thanks for the kind comments, yeah, Momma would efficiently herd them in when dogs were approaching.