Playing With Lenses: Last but not least: Tokyo Kogaku UV Topcor f4 28mm Silver

Monday 30 May 2022

Last but not least: Tokyo Kogaku UV Topcor f4 28mm Silver

Cost: $39 (market price $70 or more as the silver version is rare)

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. for this test, I used an adapter with the aperture ring build into the adapter.

This is the more rare version of the 28mm f4, compared to the more common black version. It pretty rare to see one show up on eBay, but it's worth the wait. It looks so much nicer then the black version. In addition, it's very smooth in focus and operations. It's also small and light weight. I think my adapter was almost the same weight.

Although I'm again impressed with this lens, it does have some of the typical issues of older lenses like easy lens flares, loss of sharpness and increased aberration in the corners and on edges. But it is sharp when using an F8 or F12 (the adapter does not mark the f-stops) and has rich colors, and a reasonable crispiness.

So, yet again a keeper and finally completing my UV Topcor collection.

To take the sample pictures, I went to a regular spot for me, Porteau Cove between Vancouver and Squamish. And I took a side trip to the abandoned gold Northair Mine with colorful murals that seem to change every time you visit.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: 6 elements
Blades: 5 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 0.37m
Filter Size: 49mm
Weight: 167g
Length: 32-36mm
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 13601542
Made in Japan

More information on: Topcon