Light and Nimble: UV Topcor 1:2.8 f=50mm Tokyo Kogaku

   Cost: $32 (market price unknown)

   

Wow, this lens is light and small! Almost like a true pancake lens, you hardly notice it's on the camera. 

It just feels like it's part of the adapter. This however also results in mediocre results.

The sharpness is lacking in significant parts of the image (as it is mainly on the right, it could be a defect specific to this lens). Colors however are warm and rich.

The 5 blades and lack of sharpness does however create a interesting bokeh effect. Kind of a swirly effect in the background, for parts out of focus. Does results sometimes in an actually pleasing foto.

As a reminder, the UV mount lenses from Tokyo Kogaku were produced from the 1960's for Topcon's "cheap" line of camera's and do not have an aperture setting ring, as this is found on the camera body.

So, a light, simple lens for some special looks. Although not a great lens for sure, it does deserve a place in my almost complete UV Topcor collection.

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: 6 elements
Blades: 5 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 0.6m
Filter Size: 49mm
Weight: 119g
Length: 23mm
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 25047

Made in Japan

More information on: Topcon

Samples:

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/3200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/2000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/3200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:

apertureinfo.com