The Topcor 10cm f2.8 is a beatifully built lens. Aperture ring has a locking mechanism which prevents accidental aperture change. You will have to depress a button in order to change the aperture. This button is located on the right of the lens and falls naturally on one of the fingers. It's a very well designed feature. The lens is very compact, about the same size as the 58mm f1.8. Minimum focus distance is about 1.2 meters, which is normal for lenses of that era.
The colors of the images taken with this lens seem very neutral, which is great for portraiture. Perhaps it was designed to be this way, as a 100mm lens is normally used for this purpose, though a maximum aperture of f2.8 seem rather slow. In terms of sharpness, the lens performs quite well even at f2.8, definitely OK for portrait. At f4, it has very high contrast and sharpness. So, initial impression is very favorable. Can't wait to put it through some more shooting sessions.
What a beauty! - Click for larger.
Red Umbrellas - Topcor 10cm f2.8 & Sony NEX-6. Click for larger.
Cotton Candies - Sony NEX-6 & Topcor 10cm f2.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.
Megan - Sony NEX-6 & Topcor 10cm f2.8 @ f4
Very nice pictures! I love the portrait! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from the Netherlands,
DzjieDzjee
very sharp, btw is the one with orange colored shuter button? cheers
ReplyDeleteYes. Actually it's more like yellow than orange. Very compact lens.
DeleteAfter I saw your great pictures I bought one today, I think its quite pretty lens and I already have 3.5cm 2.8. I am wondering what is consensus about quality of these Auto Topcors vs sought after RE Auto Topcors... cheers,
ReplyDeleteRad
Frankly, I don't know the difference! At least in Canada, Topcons are not very common.
DeleteThanks for the mention in the earlier post. So glad you've managed to acquire some of these wonderful lenses, especially the rare early versions. Can't say for sure, but I imagine these are optically very similar to the RE versions, all will be single coated as only two later GN models from the 'classic' ranges benefited from such.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in recent years most of the really good Topcon web resources have all but disappeared. There was even a highly rated book 'The Topcon Story' available to order, but that is now out of print and very hard to find and the author's website no longer available.
The Topcon Club in Japan really is now the only site that has any great detail: http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/Topconclub/lens1.htm
It's a shame that we know less and less about these lenses despite interest increasing everyday. Strange that fairly recent history can get lost in the mist and despite the great promise of the Internet, that itself is already fast disappearing in to history.
Good luck with your ongoing search, I greatly look forward to the results. Oh and if you fancy the 85mm, best start secretly saving ;)
Steve, thanks for your insights into the Topcon lenses. What you said about the net is true, but like everything else, it cost money to keep a site running and unless it generates revenue, it takes a lot of passion and money to keep a site running.
DeleteThese Topcor lenses are very well built, similar to the Takumars. Believe it or not, I don't normally go out of my way to seek out lenses I want. I buy most of my stuff by chance. Go to the photo show, or check local listings, and if I see anything I like, I would buy it. One thing I do not do, is buy lenses from eBay. I don't want to compete with 50 others who want the same item. I do keep interesting stuff in mind and when I see them, I would check them out.
Thanks again for the info on the Topcon and Topcor lenses.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteWas googling info on these Auto Topcors and your blog came up in search. I too have a NEX 6. I was wondering if you could post a photo of the lens mounted to your NEX. I am wondering/concerned if the Shutter actuation bar (which will have no function when mounted on a NEX) gets in the way of the grip area or get's in the way in regards to handling, i.e. focus ring etc when mounted on the NEX.
Thanks for any thoughts. I'll bookmark this blog and check back for any answers.
Rick
Hi Rick, there is no danger of of the shutter actuation bar get into the way of anything, since the adapter would be very thick and the lens is a few centimeters away from the body.
DeleteHello! Which Exakta-NEX adapter brand are you using? I just got my first Auto-Topcor 2.8 100mm "N" (US Navy edition) on a lovely Beseler Topcon Super D US Navy body. I am so excited, but as I am waiting for an order of new film, I did want to see how it performs on my Sony A7. I have the Fotasy Exakta-Nex adapter and have tried it on a CZ Jena with Exakta mount and this Auto-Topcor and it seems like the little lever/clip thing on the adapter is in the wrong place to hold the lens securely. I cannot get the lever to clip any of the little posts and even when it seems to lock in and won't turn any more, the lens can easily be pulled right off. I still tried it (with a pile of Scotch Blue Painter's Tape to prevent any accidents with this treasure), and I'm thinking of drilling a new hole in the adapter and changing the location of the lever but I figured I'd ask you first if there is an adapter brand, for Exakta to Nex that you find to be in working order and worth having. Thanks, in advance!
ReplyDeleteMine came with no name at all! It just said Exaktar-NEX on it and nothing else. Works fine for all my EXA lenses, including the Topcons.
DeleteI tend to buy the cheapest adapters available, so it's not surprising. I have got a few Fotasy adapters and they also work well too.
DeleteHello and thank you for running this informative site. I am waiting from my Topcon RE Super 35mm camera, just purchased from eBay, to arrive. Do you know if this lens will fit the RE Super camera body?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI have the RE 58 1.4 and 1.8, the 35 2.8, the 100 2.8, and the 135 3.5 all with EXAKTA mounts that work with my cheap Chinese EXA-NEX adapter. From what I've gathered Topcon tried to copy the original Exakta mount from the Igahee camera and then tweaked it several times by changing the locations of the screws and other pins in the bottom plate of the lens. That is why none of the lenses I have will clip into the adapter as it is designed to...BUT...the lens still sits quite snuggly on the adapter. The bayonet mount slides well into the adapter's receiver. So...it works for me on my A7RII without any issues.
ReplyDelete