Sankyō Kōki

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Sankyō Kōki K.K. (三協光機㈱) was a Japanese optical company, which used the brand name Komura for a variety of lenses. The company's name usually appeared as Sankyo Kohki on English language product branding such as lens badges. However in English language trademark filings, the more conventional spelling of Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd. was often used.

8816136369_0533680285.jpg
Sankyo Kohki Komura for Bronica
image by ijajac (Image rights)

History

The company was already active in the early 1950s. Before the use of the Komura brand, it used the brand name Chibanon or Chibanone, notably supplying lenses to the Tōsei Kōki company. The Chibanon brand was retained for some time on enlarging lenses and projection lenses.[1]

In 1962 the company registered Komura as a US Trademark. The filing indicates that Komura was first used as a brand name in 1953.[2] At the time of this filing the company's address is listed as: 

Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd.
69 Kita-Inaricho
Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan

In the 1970s, the company developed the Komura Unidapter System that allowed their 35mm interchangeable lenses to mount to "practically all Japanese-made and a number of European-made reflexes - as well as 16mm cine cameras with C mount"[3] Komura Unidapter adapters known to exist include Canon FL, Exakta, M42 (Pentax/Practica), Miranda Sensorex, Nikon F, Minolta, Ricoh Singlex, Petri, and Topcon D-1.

By the mid 1970s, the company changed it's name to Komura Lens Manufacturing, Ltd. In 1975 the company registered Telemore as a trademark. The filing indicates that Telemore was first used in commerce in 1969.[4] In 1976 they registered Komuranon as a trademark. The filing indicates Komuranon was first used in commerce in 1973.[5] At the time of the US trademark filings, the company's address is listed as: 

Komura Lens Mfg., Ltd.
17-3, Kasuga 2-chome
Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

The Komura company became insolvent in 1980 and in 1981 was reported to be in acquisition talks with a "large binocular manufacturer".[6] The outcome is unknown, however, all trademarks owned by the company subsequently expired, suggesting the company did not survive.

Modern collectors praise Komura lenses, particularly the fast preset telephotos, for their high contrast, color rendering, and smooth bokeh.[7]

Lenses

Chibanon / E-Chibanon lenses

47905775431_1b22039599.jpg
Advertisement by Sankyō Kōki in Asahi Camera, January to April 1955.
image by rebollo_fr (Image rights)

Chibanon or E-Chibanon[8] lenses for enlargement or general photography:

  • 50mm f/3.5, three or four elements, 1954–5[9][10][11]
  • 50mm f/2.8, five elements, 1954–5[9][10]
  • 75mm f/3.5, three or four elements, 1954–5[9][10]
  • 80mm f/3.5, three or four elements, 1954–5[9][10]
  • 80mm f/2.8, four elements, announced in 1955[9]
  • 105mm f/3.5, manufactured on demand, 1955[9]

Cameras equipped with early lenses by Sankyō Kōki:

  • some examples of the Semi Frank have an E. Chibanone lens (an early spelling variant);
  • Chibanon or Chibanone (チバノン) lenses were advertised on the Copenflex and Sanon Six;
  • another lens perhaps called Chibar (チバー) was advertised on the Sanon Six II.

Komura T mount and fixed-mount lenses

5392171980_357353ef84_m.jpg
Sankyo Kōki Komura 200mm f/3.5
image by Ladenla (Image rights)
  • 85mm f/1.4 preset T mount
  • 85mm f/1.4 preset Nikon mount
  • 100mm f/1.8 preset T mount
  • 105mm f/2.8 preset Canon FD
  • 105mm f/2.0 preset M42 mount (ex sn: 3352534)
  • 200mm f/3.5 preset T mount
  • 200mm f/4.5 preset T mount (ex sn: 1250282)



Komura 39mm Leica/Canon RF mount lenses

See also the article about Sankyō Kōki / Komura 39mm lenses

50835210187_3db4fc11a2_m.jpg
Sankyo Kohki W-Komura f1.8 36mm
image by yalluflex (Image rights)
5701345634_2518cd12de_m.jpg
Komura 135mm f/3.5 RF lens
image by uwekulick (Image rights)
  • 28mm f/3.5, 48mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 35mm f/2.8, 43mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 36mm f/1.8
  • 80mm f/1.8
  • 80mm f/3.5
  • 105mm f/2.0, 58mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 105mm f/2.5, 48mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 135mm f/2.8, 55mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 135mm f/3.5, 48mm filter size, RF-coupled (ex sn: 211256)
  • 200mm f/3.5, 62mm filter size
  • 200mm f/4.5, 55mm filter size, RF-coupled
  • 300mm f/5.0, 62mm filter size
  • 400mm f/6.3, 67mm filter size
  • 500mm f/7.0, 77mm filter size


Komura Unidapter preset lenses

4784425324_1f079abf15_m.jpg
Komura 135mm f/2.3 Unidapter
image by Nesster (Image rights)
  • 28mm f/3.5, 55mm filter size
  • 35mm f/2.5, 55mm filter size
  • 85mm f/1.4, 67mm filter size
  • 100mm f/1.8, 62mm filter size (ex sn: 65508)
  • 105mm f/2.0, 58mm filter size (ex sn: 68317)
  • 105mm f/2.5, 48mm filter size
  • 135mm f/2.0, 72mm filter size (ex sn: 67053)
  • 135mm f/2.3, 62mm filter size (ex sn: 3252460)
  • 135mm f/2.8, 55mm filter size
  • 135mm f/3.5, 48mm filter size
  • 200mm f/3.5, 62mm filter size
  • 300mm f/5.0, 62mm filter size
  • 400mm f/6.3, 67mm filter size
  • 500mm f/7.0, 77mm filter size

Super-Komura Auto Unidapter lenses

6683057667_470cd8f9df_n.jpg
Super-Komura ad
scanned by Nesster  (Image rights)
  • 24mm f/3.5, filter size 52mm
  • 28mm f/3.5, filter size 52mm
  • 35mm f/2.5, filter size 55mm
  • 100mm f/2.5, filter size 55mm
  • 135mm f/2.8, filter size 55mm
  • 200mm f/3.5, filter size 62mm
  • 300mm f/5.0, filter size 62mm (ex sn: 338100)
  • 75-150mm f/4.5 Zoom, filter size 58mm
  • 90-250mm f/4.5 Zoom, filter size 62mm

Komura Auto Fixed-Mount lenses

  • 135mm f/2.8, filter size 55mm
  • 200mm f/3.5, filter size 62mm
  • 300mm f/5.0, filter size 62mm
  • 75-150mm f/4.5 Zoom, filter size 58mm

Komura lenses for Bronica C and S-2

  • 135mm f/2.3, preset, filter size 72mm
  • 200mm f/3.5, preset, filter size 67mm
  • 300mm f/5.0, preset, filter size 67mm
  • 400mm f/6.3, preset, filter size 67mm
  • 500mm f/7.0, preset, filter size 77mm

Super-Komura lenses for Bronica C and S-2

6907545097_8cefe788bd_m.jpg
Super-Komura 50mm f/3.5
for Bronica S-2
image by joanseda (Image rights)
  • 50mm f/3.5, auto, filter size 77mm
  • 135mm f/2.3, auto, filter size 72mm
  • 100mm f/2.8, auto, filter size 62mm
  • 150mm f/3.5, auto, filter size 67mm
  • 200mm f/3.5, auto, filter size 67mm


Komura lenses for 4x5 Cameras

  • 75mm f/6.3, filter size 72mm
  • 152mm f/2.8, filter size 77mm
  • 300mm f/5.0, filter size 67mm
  • 400mm f/6.3, filter size 67mm
  • 500mm f/7.0, filter size 77mm

Komura lenses for 4x5 and 6x9 Cameras

  • 152mm f/3.5, filter size 67mm
  • 300mm f/6.3, filter size 67mm
  • 400mm f/8.0, filter size 67mm

Komura lenses for 6x9 Cameras

  • 47mm f/6.3, filter size 67mm
6359173697_3f28f183fb_n.jpg
Komuranon 35-70mm Zoom
image by Cletus Awreetus (Image rights)

Other Komura Lenses

Komuranon lenses

  • KMC Komuranon 28mm f/2.5
  • KMC Komuranon 35mm f/2.5
  • KMC Komuranon 135mm f/2.5
  • KMC Komuranon 135mm f/2.8
  • KMC Komuranon 200mm f/3.5
  • KMC Komuranon 300mm f/4.5
  • KMC Komuranon 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom (ex sn: 8085587)
  • KMC Komuranon 75-150mm f/4.5 Macro Zoom
53751108417_d6c9d47408.jpg
data sheet of 1980 scanned by Kirk Thorsteinson  (Image rights)
  • KMC Komuranon 80-200mm f/4.5 Zoom, 52mm filter

Komuranon lens types named like Zoom 24-35 or 820 Zoom Lens

  • KMC Komuranon Zoom 24-35 1:3.5 f=24~35mm, 67mm filter
  • KMC Komuranon Zoom 35-70 1:3.5~4.5 f=35~70mm, 62mm filter
  • KMC Komuranon Zoom Macro 389 1:3.5 f=38~90mm,
  • KMC Komuranon 715 Zoom lens 1:4.5 f=75~150mm
  • KMC Komuranon Macro 715 1:4.5 f=75~150mm
  • KMC Komuranon 715 II 1:4.5 f=75~150mm, macro
  • KMC Komuranon Reporter 715-s Zoom lens 1:3.8 f=75~150mm
  • KMC Komura-FX 721 1:4.5 f=70~210mm, 58mm filter, one touch macro 1:4
  • KMC Komuranon 820 Zoom Lens 1:4.5 f=80~200mm, 52mm filter
  • KMC Komuranon 820 Zoom Lens 1:4 f=80~200mm, 52mm filter (maybe exists only in scanned ad?)
53754044811_d6fe7d206c.jpg
Komuranon Unidapters and lenses in 1980 scanned by Kirk Thorsteinson  (Image rights)
  • KMC Komuranon 821 Zoom Lens 1:4.5 f=80~210mm, 52mm filter
  • KMC Komuranon 821-s Zoom Lens 1:4.5 f=80~210mm, 58mm filter, abberation-correction ("s-formula")
  • KMC Komuranon 925 Zoom Lens 1:4.5 f=90~250mm, 62mm filter, macro

Telemore teleconverters

The Komura Telemore 95 is a common 4-element teleconverter. Komura's Telemore 95 II is a 7-element teleconverter especially for telephoto lenses.

  • Telemore95 and Telemore95-II for 35mm system SLRs (2× teleconverters)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for CY (for Contax/Yashica C/Y tele lenses)
    • Telemore95     KMC for N (for Nikon F lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for N (for Nikon F tele lenses)
    • Telemore95     KMC for P (for M42 lenses, P is for Pentax)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for F (for M42 tele lenses, F is for Fujica)
    • Telemore95     KMC for P.K (for Pentax K lenses ???)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for SR (for Minolta SR tele lenses)
    • Telemore95     KMC for SR (for Minolta SR lenses)
53754365129_68fb0dcbdd.jpg
explanation of Telemore 95 and Telemore 95 II teleconverters for
35mm SLR systems scanned by Kirk Thorsteinson  (Image rights)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for XD (for Minolta MD tele lenses)
    • Telemore95     KMC for XD (for Minolta MD lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for OM (for Olympus OM tele lenses)
    • Telemore95     KMC for OM (for Olympus OM lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for K (for Konica AR tele lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for RF (for Rollei SL35 tele lenses)
  • other Telemore 2× teleconverters
    • Komura Telemore ×2 for Unidapter (for M42 Unidapter)
    • Sankyo Kohki Komura Tele-More ×2 (for M42)
    • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore ×2 L.S (for Leica M39) w/ Uni-Finder accessory
    • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore for Nikon
    • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore for Canon
    • Telemore II O.C. for C (for Canon FD lenses)
    • Komura Telemore for Nikon-F ×2
    • Komura Telemore for Canon-F ×2
    • Komura Telemore 66 ×2 for Hasselblad
    • Komura Telemore95 for Mamiya RB67
    • KMC Telemore95 for Bronica 6×6
    • KMC Telemore95 for Hasselblad 6×6
    • KMC Telemore95 for Bronica S2
    • KMC Telemore95 for Asahi Pentax 6x7
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for ETR (for Bronica ETR lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for M645 (for Mamiya M645 lenses)
    • Telemore95 II 7KMC for Hasselblad 6×6
  • other
    • Komura Telemore ×1.5 for Uniadapter (for M42 Unidapter)
    • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore for Penta ×1.5 (for M42)


Other products

40939257043_d1aaa81808_m.jpg
Sankyō Kōki ad in Asahi Camera November 1953.
(see also October 1953). scanned by rebollo_fr  (Image rights)
  • Permanent cable release, 1953:[12]
    • standard model, ¥150
    • for Leica, ¥200


Notes

  1. ↑ Projection lenses: example observed in an online auction.
  2. ↑ US Trademark filing for Komura
  3. ↑ [International Federation of Photographic Art, Issues 7-12, p 68]
  4. ↑ US Trademark filing for Telemore
  5. ↑ US Trademark filing for Komuranon
  6. ↑ [British Journal of Photography, 1981, Vol 128, p. 464]
  7. ↑ MFLenses forum: Komura 135/3.5
  8. ↑ The Roman spelling "Chivanon" found in original advertisements has not been observed on actual products, and was certainly mistaken.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Advertisement in Asahi Camera January 1955, p.234, February 1955, p.167, March 1955, p.213, and April 1955, p.224.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Advertisement dated 1954 reproduced at Shashin-Bako.
  11. ↑ E-Chibanon 50mm f/3.5 lens observed in an online auction, black and chrome barrel with knurled aperture ring.
  12. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera October 1953, p.222, and November 1953, p.198.

Bibliography

  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Sankyō Kōki:
    • October 1953, p.222;
    • November 1953, p.198;
    • January 1955, p.234;
    • February 1955, p.167;
    • March 1955, p.213;
    • April 1955, p.224.

See Also

Links

In Japanese:

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