RE.Auto-Topcor 5.8cm f1.8 test
With a Tokyo Kogaku Japan RE.Auto-Topcor 1:1.8 f=5.8cm. To give the lens its full name. Based on the serial number, the lens is a Code 129B (Chrome) version from 1966.
I bought this lens, attached to a camera, knowing that both the lens and camera were broken. The lens itself won't stop down on either the camera, or an Exakta/e-mount adapter.
I took the back of the lens off, but couldn't immediately see what was wrong, so I put it back together. This problem is quite common it seems. I contacted someone who modifies other Topcor lenses to fit on M42 mounts, and he told me he wouldn't touch the RE.Auto. Currently, I'm using a hat pin to open and close the blades, a better solution than jamming the blades wide-open.
A second problem is that the lens won't focus to infinity on the Exakta adapter. It's a pretty looking lens, such a shame it’s not working properly.
Why did I buy it? People keep telling me on YouTube that I should try the RE.Auto Topcor 58mm f1.4. They say it's one of the very best, if not the best old f1.4 lenses ever made, with a design used by Voigtlander for their 58mm f1.4. But having looked at numerous Topcor 58/1.4 images on-line, I don't like the lens's bokeh. Not enough to justify the investment, and I'm not in the mood to do a "everyone loves this lens but me" video right now.
I know the 58/1.8 is a different lens, but it is also very highly rated. So when the broken camera/lens came up on-line, I decided to bid and won them for £40.
Much that I’m frustrated with my lens’s faults, it really is good optically!!!
RE.Auto-Topcor 5.8cm f1.8 test
With a Tokyo Kogaku Japan RE.Auto-Topcor 1:1.8 f=5.8cm. To give the lens its full name. Based on the serial number, the lens is a Code 129B (Chrome) version from 1966.
I bought this lens, attached to a camera, knowing that both the lens and camera were broken. The lens itself won't stop down on either the camera, or an Exakta/e-mount adapter.
I took the back of the lens off, but couldn't immediately see what was wrong, so I put it back together. This problem is quite common it seems. I contacted someone who modifies other Topcor lenses to fit on M42 mounts, and he told me he wouldn't touch the RE.Auto. Currently, I'm using a hat pin to open and close the blades, a better solution than jamming the blades wide-open.
A second problem is that the lens won't focus to infinity on the Exakta adapter. It's a pretty looking lens, such a shame it’s not working properly.
Why did I buy it? People keep telling me on YouTube that I should try the RE.Auto Topcor 58mm f1.4. They say it's one of the very best, if not the best old f1.4 lenses ever made, with a design used by Voigtlander for their 58mm f1.4. But having looked at numerous Topcor 58/1.4 images on-line, I don't like the lens's bokeh. Not enough to justify the investment, and I'm not in the mood to do a "everyone loves this lens but me" video right now.
I know the 58/1.8 is a different lens, but it is also very highly rated. So when the broken camera/lens came up on-line, I decided to bid and won them for £40.
Much that I’m frustrated with my lens’s faults, it really is good optically!!!