Difference between revisions of "Arco lenses"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (on the Miranda lens, unclear exactly with which body version it was advertised) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (there was no f/3.8 lens in SLR mount; the M42 Tele-Snowva in Hagiya is a mistake; s/n details; 10/55 Photo Art) |
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== Leica screw mount == | == Leica screw mount == | ||
=== Colinar, Tele-Colinar and Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 === | === Colinar, Tele-Colinar and Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 === | ||
| − | The first lens released by Arco was the '''Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8''' in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]] | + | The first lens released by [[Arco]] was the '''Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8''' in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]]. It appears with product code TZ-3 in a list owned by Abe Masao (阿部正雄), Arco's former camera designer, and was produced from January 1952.<REF name="Hagiya Arco table"> List reproduced in Hagiya, pp.56–7 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. </REF> It has an all chrome finish, a continuous aperture ring from 3.8 to 22 and a focus knob engraved in feet from ∞ down to 5ft. The base of the barrel is engraved ''MADE IN JAPAN''. Most serial numbers have five digits in the 27xxx to 30xxx range, where the first two digits perhaps indicate the year in the Shōwa calendar, from Shōwa 27 (1952) to Shōwa 30 (1955); other numbers have six digits. |
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|| ''Left: Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel.''<br>''Right: Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel.''<br>''Pictures courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}'' | || ''Left: Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel.''<br>''Right: Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel.''<br>''Pictures courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | The early lenses are engraved ''Arco. COLINAR 1:3.8 f=13.5cm No.xxxxx'' and are made of chrome-plated brass. | + | The early lenses are engraved ''Arco. COLINAR 1:3.8 f=13.5cm No.xxxxx'' and are made of chrome-plated brass. Numbers are known in the 27xxx and low 28xxx range. The '''Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8''' is a name variant, also in the 27xxx range except for at least one isolated six-digit number in the 123xxx range.<REF> Hagiya, p.65 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari'', shows a picture of a Tele-Snowva reported as in "Praktica-mount". It indeed has a screw-thread at the base of the barrel, but this does not look like a genuine M42 mount, and rather corresponds to a lens whose mount was unscrewed. </REF> |
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|| ''Left: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.28xxx, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, old lens head.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}''<br>''Right: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.130142, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, new lens head, six-digit number.''<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}'' | || ''Left: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.28xxx, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, old lens head.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}''<br>''Right: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.130142, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, new lens head, six-digit number.''<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}'' | ||
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| − | The later lenses, called '''Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8''', were made of aluminium, except for the base of the barrel. The engraving became ''Tele-Colinar 1:3.8 f=13.5cm C. Arco Tokyo No.xxxxx'', with a red ''C.'' At some point in the 28xxx range, the shape of the lens head was slightly altered.<REF> Compare the example pictured in this page with lens no.28xxx and old lens head with the example pictured [http://www.flickr.com/photos/16909288@N00/964943254/ here] in Clickr100's Flickr space, with lens no.28959 and new lens head. </REF> | + | The later lenses, called '''Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8''', were made of aluminium, except for the base of the barrel. The engraving became ''Tele-Colinar 1:3.8 f=13.5cm C. Arco Tokyo No.xxxxx'', with a red ''C.'' At some point in the 28xxx range, the shape of the lens head was slightly altered.<REF> Compare the example pictured in this page with lens no.28xxx and old lens head with the example pictured [http://www.flickr.com/photos/16909288@N00/964943254/ here] in Clickr100's Flickr space, with lens no.28959 and new lens head. </REF> The few six-digit serial numbers observed were certainly inserted in the number sequence of the 5cm lenses for the [[Arco 35]].<REF> No.130142 pictured in this article, no.155354 observed in an online auction, no.155360 sold as [http://www.proxibid.com/asp/catalog.asp?aid=10691>l=170#170 lot no.170] of the February 8, 2008 auction by Hammer Down Auction Services. </REF> |
| + | |||
| + | The Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 was available for ¥24,000 in October 1955.<REF> Table of available lenses in ''Kamera no chishiki'', October 1955 special issue of ''[[Photo Art]]'', p.66. </REF> | ||
=== Colinar 8.5cm f/2 === | === Colinar 8.5cm f/2 === | ||
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== Exakta mount and 42mm screw mount == | == Exakta mount and 42mm screw mount == | ||
| + | === Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 === | ||
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|| ''Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 no.1252xx, Exakta mount, preset.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}'' | || ''Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 no.1252xx, Exakta mount, preset.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Scott at [http://www.collectiblecameras.com www.collectiblecameras.com]. {{with permission}}'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | The | + | The most common Arco lens for SLR cameras is the preset '''Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5''', available in [[Exakta lenses|Exakta mount]] or [[42mm screw lenses|M42 mount]]. It certainly corresponds to item TZ-10 of Abe Masao's list, designed in May 1952 and produced from June.<REF> List reproduced in Hagiya, pp.56–7 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. Item TZ-10 is listed as f/3.8, certainly by mistake. </REF> It has an alloy barrel, heavy aperture and preset rings and depth-of-field indications placed in front of the focus ring, the reverse of the usual configuration. It is engraved ''MADE IN JAPAN'' under the lens head. The examples observed have a six-digit serial number in the 12xxxx or 13xxxx range. The number sequence might be shared with the Colinar 5cm f/2.8 and 5cm f/3.5 of the [[Arco 35|Arco 35 and Arco 35 Junior]] but this is unsure. |
| − | The | + | The Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 was available for ¥25,700 in October 1955.<REF> Table of available lenses in ''Kamera no chishiki'', October 1955 special issue of ''[[Photo Art]]'', p.66. The table mentions the lens as available in Exakta or Contax mount, a mistake for Exakta and Contax S. </REF> |
| + | === Other lenses for Exakta === | ||
Arco also made a '''Colinar 105/4 lens head''' in [[Exakta lenses|Exakta mount]] for use on bellows, with manual diaphragm. It is mentioned in Abe Masao's list under product code Tr105-23, with production beginning in August 1953,<REF name="Hagiya Arco table" /> and in [http://www.ihagee.org/ Ihagee.org's list of Exakta lenses]. At the same time, Arco was also manufacturing a bellows called Bellowscope, in Exakta, Contax S (M42) and Leica screw mount (product codes AC-3, 4 and 5).<REF name="Hagiya Arco table" /> | Arco also made a '''Colinar 105/4 lens head''' in [[Exakta lenses|Exakta mount]] for use on bellows, with manual diaphragm. It is mentioned in Abe Masao's list under product code Tr105-23, with production beginning in August 1953,<REF name="Hagiya Arco table" /> and in [http://www.ihagee.org/ Ihagee.org's list of Exakta lenses]. At the same time, Arco was also manufacturing a bellows called Bellowscope, in Exakta, Contax S (M42) and Leica screw mount (product codes AC-3, 4 and 5).<REF name="Hagiya Arco table" /> | ||
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== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Aruko 35: Shashin-yōhin kara kamera soshite 8mm" (アルコ35:写真用品からカメラそして8mmへ, Arco 35: From photo supply to cameras to 8mm). Chapter 3 of {{Zunow10}} First published as an article in {{KKS}} no.16. This history of [[Arco]] is based on Hagiya's interviews with four people who had been key figures in the company. | * Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Aruko 35: Shashin-yōhin kara kamera soshite 8mm" (アルコ35:写真用品からカメラそして8mmへ, Arco 35: From photo supply to cameras to 8mm). Chapter 3 of {{Zunow10}} First published as an article in {{KKS}} no.16. This history of [[Arco]] is based on Hagiya's interviews with four people who had been key figures in the company. | ||
| + | * ''[[Photo Art]] Rinji Zōkan Kamera no Chishiki'' (臨時増刊カメラの知識, special issue on cameras). October 1955. "Naigai hyōjun renzu oyobi kōkan renzu ichiranpyō" (内外標準レンズ及び交換レンズ一覧表, Table of Japan and foreign standard and interchangeable lenses). Pp.66–7. | ||
* Wilkinson, M. and Glanfield, C. ''A lens collector's vade mecum''. Version 07/05/2001. Distributed as a CD or PDF file. | * Wilkinson, M. and Glanfield, C. ''A lens collector's vade mecum''. Version 07/05/2001. Distributed as a CD or PDF file. | ||
Revision as of 22:37, 27 April 2008
The Arco company, manufacturer of the Arco 35 and Arco 35 Automat, made some interchangeable lenses for third-party cameras from 1952 to 1957.
Contents
Leica screw mount
Colinar, Tele-Colinar and Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8
The first lens released by Arco was the Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 in Leica screw mount. It appears with product code TZ-3 in a list owned by Abe Masao (阿部正雄), Arco's former camera designer, and was produced from January 1952.[1] It has an all chrome finish, a continuous aperture ring from 3.8 to 22 and a focus knob engraved in feet from ∞ down to 5ft. The base of the barrel is engraved MADE IN JAPAN. Most serial numbers have five digits in the 27xxx to 30xxx range, where the first two digits perhaps indicate the year in the Shōwa calendar, from Shōwa 27 (1952) to Shōwa 30 (1955); other numbers have six digits.
 
|
| Left: Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel. Right: Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 no.27668, Leica screw mount, chromed brass barrel. Pictures courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights) |
The early lenses are engraved Arco. COLINAR 1:3.8 f=13.5cm No.xxxxx and are made of chrome-plated brass. Numbers are known in the 27xxx and low 28xxx range. The Tele-Snowva 13.5cm f/3.8 is a name variant, also in the 27xxx range except for at least one isolated six-digit number in the 123xxx range.[2]
 
|
| Left: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.28xxx, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, old lens head. Picture courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights) Right: Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 no.130142, Leica screw mount, aluminium barrel, new lens head, six-digit number. Picture courtesy of Pacific Rim Camera. (Image rights) |
The later lenses, called Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8, were made of aluminium, except for the base of the barrel. The engraving became Tele-Colinar 1:3.8 f=13.5cm C. Arco Tokyo No.xxxxx, with a red C. At some point in the 28xxx range, the shape of the lens head was slightly altered.[3] The few six-digit serial numbers observed were certainly inserted in the number sequence of the 5cm lenses for the Arco 35.[4]
The Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 was available for ¥24,000 in October 1955.[5]
Colinar 8.5cm f/2
The Colinar 8.5cm f/2 (product code LE-3) was released in February 1954.[1] It is much scarcer and only two examples have been observed so far, one of which has a five-digit number in the 29xxx range.[6]
Exakta mount and 42mm screw mount
Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5
|
| Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 no.1252xx, Exakta mount, preset. Picture courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights) |
The most common Arco lens for SLR cameras is the preset Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5, available in Exakta mount or M42 mount. It certainly corresponds to item TZ-10 of Abe Masao's list, designed in May 1952 and produced from June.[7] It has an alloy barrel, heavy aperture and preset rings and depth-of-field indications placed in front of the focus ring, the reverse of the usual configuration. It is engraved MADE IN JAPAN under the lens head. The examples observed have a six-digit serial number in the 12xxxx or 13xxxx range. The number sequence might be shared with the Colinar 5cm f/2.8 and 5cm f/3.5 of the Arco 35 and Arco 35 Junior but this is unsure.
The Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5 was available for ¥25,700 in October 1955.[8]
Other lenses for Exakta
Arco also made a Colinar 105/4 lens head in Exakta mount for use on bellows, with manual diaphragm. It is mentioned in Abe Masao's list under product code Tr105-23, with production beginning in August 1953,[1] and in Ihagee.org's list of Exakta lenses. At the same time, Arco was also manufacturing a bellows called Bellowscope, in Exakta, Contax S (M42) and Leica screw mount (product codes AC-3, 4 and 5).[1]
Abe Masao's list also contains two other Exakta lenses which were apparently never produced. The first one is a Colinar 50/2.8, with product code G-5028, designed in August 1953, probably a version of the lens of the Arco 35. The second one is a Colinar 8.5cm f/2, with product code LE-4, designed in October 1953, certainly similar to the lens produced from February 1954 in Leica screw mount.
Miranda mount
The Arco 5cm f/2.4 lens of the Arco 35 Automat D, with five elements in four groups, was also offered in Miranda bayonet mount, as a standard lens for the Miranda bodies. The lens is silver finished and has a preset diaphragm. The barrel is certainly made of aluminium. The knurled focus knob is engraved in metres and feet and the aperture ring goes from 2.4 to 22. The mention for MIRANDA is engraved on the outer side of the lens rim, at the bottom. The known lens numbers have four digits, and it seems that the number sequence is shared with the lenses mounted on the Arco 35 Automat D.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 List reproduced in Hagiya, pp.56–7 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari.
- ↑ Hagiya, p.65 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari, shows a picture of a Tele-Snowva reported as in "Praktica-mount". It indeed has a screw-thread at the base of the barrel, but this does not look like a genuine M42 mount, and rather corresponds to a lens whose mount was unscrewed.
- ↑ Compare the example pictured in this page with lens no.28xxx and old lens head with the example pictured here in Clickr100's Flickr space, with lens no.28959 and new lens head.
- ↑ No.130142 pictured in this article, no.155354 observed in an online auction, no.155360 sold as lot no.170 of the February 8, 2008 auction by Hammer Down Auction Services.
- ↑ Table of available lenses in Kamera no chishiki, October 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.66.
- ↑ Example pictured in Hagiya, p.65 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari, and example observed in an online auction (no.29354 reported).
- ↑ List reproduced in Hagiya, pp.56–7 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari. Item TZ-10 is listed as f/3.8, certainly by mistake.
- ↑ Table of available lenses in Kamera no chishiki, October 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.66. The table mentions the lens as available in Exakta or Contax mount, a mistake for Exakta and Contax S.
Bibliography
- Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Aruko 35: Shashin-yōhin kara kamera soshite 8mm" (アルコ35:写真用品からカメラそして8mmへ, Arco 35: From photo supply to cameras to 8mm). Chapter 3 of Zunō kamera tanjō: Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari (ズノーカメラ誕生：戦後国産カメラ10物語, The birth of the Zunow camera: Ten stories of postwar Japanese camera makers). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1999. ISBN 4-257-12023-1. First published as an article in Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.16. This history of Arco is based on Hagiya's interviews with four people who had been key figures in the company.
- Photo Art Rinji Zōkan Kamera no Chishiki (臨時増刊カメラの知識, special issue on cameras). October 1955. "Naigai hyōjun renzu oyobi kōkan renzu ichiranpyō" (内外標準レンズ及び交換レンズ一覧表, Table of Japan and foreign standard and interchangeable lenses). Pp.66–7.
- Wilkinson, M. and Glanfield, C. A lens collector's vade mecum. Version 07/05/2001. Distributed as a CD or PDF file.
Links
In English:
- Picture of an Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 in Clickr100's Flickr space
- Arco Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 repair notes at Rangefinderforum.com
- Arco Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5: lot no.170 of the February 8, 2008 auction by Hammer Down Auction Services
- Miranda 50mm lenses and Orion / Miranda T at mirandacamera.com, with pictures of the Arco 5cm f/2.4 in Miranda mount
