Playing With Lenses: Third time a charm? Tokyo Kogaku UV Topcor 1:4 200mm

Monday, 4 March 2019

Third time a charm? Tokyo Kogaku UV Topcor 1:4 200mm

Cost: $22 (average market price $40)

As I still really like the looks of the Topcor UV lenses, I just had to try another one, despite of having weak reviews of the 135mm and the 53mm Topcor UV lenses. There is very little known about this lens with almost no review and not even sample pictures on flickr.com. And that's a shame, as although this lens isn't a great one, it does have some features resembling much more expensive and legendary lenses.

But let's first take a look the esthetics of the lens itself. Again a beautiful mat black body, with nicely brushed aluminium at the bottom. The lens also has nice build-in hood, that extends easily but with some screaking noises. And, as we are used with the Topcor UV lenses, the aperture is not within the lens, but in the camera body where it can be shared with other lenses, saving on the development and build costs. But is does result in a very clean look.

Handling is good with smooth focussing. Setting the aperture on the adapter is a little confusing, as there is no scale. But on a mirrorless camera, with a live viewfinder, it's easy to see when the aperture is open or closed. The lens is not to heavy for a 200mm, but with the adapter, also not a short lens.

This lens is reasonable sharp, but not a sharpness beast. Let's say it acceptable. Colors are nice and the lens provide adequate contrast. There does seem to be some vignetting in the corner, but I'm guessing I will start to see that a little more now that I'm using a full-frame camera.

But where this lens really set itself apart is the bokeh. Although not as prevalent as on some of the Helios lenses, or the expensive Petzval lenses, it does provide a little of a "swirly" bokeh. Enough to make this lens very unique in it's rendering, and therefore worthwhile to have.

So in short, not a great lens, but special enough to warrant a spot in my collection. A keeper, and a deserved spot in collection of Topcor UV lenses.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 200mm

Maximum Aperture: F4.0
Minimum Aperture: 22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: unknown
Blades: 5
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 600cm
Filter Size: 65mm
Weight: 510g
Length: 115-121mm (add 40mm for lens hood)
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 1267529
Made in: Japan

More information on: Topcon

Samples: