Difference between revisions of "Kowa lenses for other cameras"
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| − | + | [[Kowa]] made at least two '''Prominar''' lenses in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]], certainly in the late 1950s: the '''35mm f/2.8''' and the '''100mm f/2'''. (The earlier Prominar 7.5cm f/3.5 and 7.3cm f/3.5 are not signed by Kowa, and were perhaps manufactured by [[Sun]], see [[K.O.L. and Sun lenses in Leica screw mount]].) | |
| − | == Description == | + | == Prominar 35mm f/2.8 == |
| − | The lens | + | === Description === |
| + | The '''Prominar 35mm f/2.8''' perhaps has the same optical design as the fixed lens of the Kallowide and Kallowide F, with six elements in four groups. (Other 35mm f/2.8 lenses made by [[Kowa]] are the Prominar wide angle lens of the Kallo 140 and Kowa 140 rangefinder cameras with leaf shutter, which may have the same optical design, and a lens for leaf-shuttered SLR cameras, which probably differs.) | ||
| − | The rear mount and focusing ring are chrome | + | The front and rear part of the lens barrel have a very different styling, giving a rather disparaged aspect. The rear mount and focusing ring are chrome plated, with a tab and an infinity lock. The distance scale is engraved in feet, going down to 3.5ft and perhaps beyond. The lens head is black, and has a massive aperture ring with knurls and chrome stripes, graduated from 2.8 to 22. (A similar styling is found on the Kallo 140, but the knurled ring is used for focusing.) The front bezel is engraved ''Prominar 1:2.8 f=35mm Kowa Optical Works No.xxxxxxx''. |
| − | == | + | === Production === |
| − | + | No original document mentioning that lens has been found yet. The only serial number known so far is 1600290.<REF> Example sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133073&acat=133073&offset=2&_ssl=off lot no.391] of Westlicht auction no.14 (November 30, 2008). </REF> Similar numbers in the 16xxxxx range are known on the other Prominar 35mm f/2.8 lenses, on the Kallowide, Kallowide F and for the Kallo 140 and Kowa 140. | |
| − | + | === Accessories === | |
| + | The lens was sold in a red and blue presentation box, inscribed ''PROMINAR LENS'' on the lid and ''PROMINAR LENS f2.8 F=35mm'' on the side, containing the lens and external viewfinder (see below).<REF name="pictures forum"> Pictures observed on a Japanese forum. </REF> The lens cap is all chrome with the name ''Prominar'' engraved.<REF name="pictures forum" /> | ||
| − | + | The external viewfinder has a black and chrome finish. Its external aspect is quite similar to the auxiliary Kontur-like finders offered by Kowa for its rangefinder cameras. The viewfinder's barrel is a black cylinder, with a chrome front rim inscribed ''Prominar'' and ''35mm'', and a chrome ring at the rear, graduated in feet from ∞ to 3.5ft, for manual parallax compensation. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | == Prominar 100mm f/2 == | ||
| + | The '''Prominar 100mm f/2''' in Leica mount is very little known. No other still camera lens made by [[Kowa]] has the same characteristics. The barrel is black and chrome, with large stripes on the focusing ring. The aperture ring is all black, and the front rim is chrome coloured. The bezel is engraved ''Prominar 1:2 f=100mm Kowa Optical Works Japan No.xxxxxx''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lens cap is black, with the name ''Prominar'' inscribed in white or silver letters. It seems that a dedicated lens hood was supplied. It is slipped outside the lens rim and held by a small tightening screw.<REF name="pictures forum" /> The viewfinder reportedly has the same aspect as that for the 35mm lens. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only serial number confirmed so far is 220112,<REF name="pictures forum" /> and no original document has been found either.<REF> Post on a Japanese forum. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 20: | Line 28: | ||
In English: | In English: | ||
* Kowa Prominar 35mm f/2.8 for Leica: [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133073&acat=133073&offset=2&_ssl=off lot no.391] of [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133059&_ssl=off&lang=3 auction no.14] (November 30, 2008) by [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/ Westlicht] | * Kowa Prominar 35mm f/2.8 for Leica: [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133073&acat=133073&offset=2&_ssl=off lot no.391] of [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133059&_ssl=off&lang=3 auction no.14] (November 30, 2008) by [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/ Westlicht] | ||
| + | In Japanese: | ||
| + | * [http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~nikonsp/T29.html Pictures taken with a Prominar 35mm f/2.8] at [http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~nikonsp/ Ishi no ue ni mo 30-nen] | ||
| + | * [http://hcwc.way-nifty.com/blog/2009/01/post-f3b1.html Picture taken with a Prominar 100mm f/2 on an Epson R-D1s] at [http://hcwc.way-nifty.com/blog/ Camera Hiking] | ||
[[Category: Japanese lenses]] | [[Category: Japanese lenses]] | ||
[[Category: 39mm screw mount]] | [[Category: 39mm screw mount]] | ||
[[Category: Kowa]] | [[Category: Kowa]] | ||
Revision as of 12:59, 15 March 2009
Kowa made at least two Prominar lenses in Leica screw mount, certainly in the late 1950s: the 35mm f/2.8 and the 100mm f/2. (The earlier Prominar 7.5cm f/3.5 and 7.3cm f/3.5 are not signed by Kowa, and were perhaps manufactured by Sun, see K.O.L. and Sun lenses in Leica screw mount.)
Contents
Prominar 35mm f/2.8
Description
The Prominar 35mm f/2.8 perhaps has the same optical design as the fixed lens of the Kallowide and Kallowide F, with six elements in four groups. (Other 35mm f/2.8 lenses made by Kowa are the Prominar wide angle lens of the Kallo 140 and Kowa 140 rangefinder cameras with leaf shutter, which may have the same optical design, and a lens for leaf-shuttered SLR cameras, which probably differs.)
The front and rear part of the lens barrel have a very different styling, giving a rather disparaged aspect. The rear mount and focusing ring are chrome plated, with a tab and an infinity lock. The distance scale is engraved in feet, going down to 3.5ft and perhaps beyond. The lens head is black, and has a massive aperture ring with knurls and chrome stripes, graduated from 2.8 to 22. (A similar styling is found on the Kallo 140, but the knurled ring is used for focusing.) The front bezel is engraved Prominar 1:2.8 f=35mm Kowa Optical Works No.xxxxxxx.
Production
No original document mentioning that lens has been found yet. The only serial number known so far is 1600290.[1] Similar numbers in the 16xxxxx range are known on the other Prominar 35mm f/2.8 lenses, on the Kallowide, Kallowide F and for the Kallo 140 and Kowa 140.
Accessories
The lens was sold in a red and blue presentation box, inscribed PROMINAR LENS on the lid and PROMINAR LENS f2.8 F=35mm on the side, containing the lens and external viewfinder (see below).[2] The lens cap is all chrome with the name Prominar engraved.[2]
The external viewfinder has a black and chrome finish. Its external aspect is quite similar to the auxiliary Kontur-like finders offered by Kowa for its rangefinder cameras. The viewfinder's barrel is a black cylinder, with a chrome front rim inscribed Prominar and 35mm, and a chrome ring at the rear, graduated in feet from ∞ to 3.5ft, for manual parallax compensation.
Prominar 100mm f/2
The Prominar 100mm f/2 in Leica mount is very little known. No other still camera lens made by Kowa has the same characteristics. The barrel is black and chrome, with large stripes on the focusing ring. The aperture ring is all black, and the front rim is chrome coloured. The bezel is engraved Prominar 1:2 f=100mm Kowa Optical Works Japan No.xxxxxx.
The lens cap is black, with the name Prominar inscribed in white or silver letters. It seems that a dedicated lens hood was supplied. It is slipped outside the lens rim and held by a small tightening screw.[2] The viewfinder reportedly has the same aspect as that for the 35mm lens.
The only serial number confirmed so far is 220112,[2] and no original document has been found either.[3]
Notes
Links
In English:
- Kowa Prominar 35mm f/2.8 for Leica: lot no.391 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008) by Westlicht
In Japanese:
