Difference between revisions of "Nippon Kōgaku lenses before 1945"

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== Acht designs ==
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== Anytar 12cm f/4.5 ==
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Two years after its foundation in 1917, [[Nikon|Nippon Kōgaku]] invited eight German advisers, who arrived in 1921.<REF> Baird, p.52. </REF> They were specialists in optics and lens design and manufacture, among which were Heinrich Acht, Hermann Dillmann and Max Lange.<REF> Baird, p.52. </REF> Most of them returned to Germany in 1926 at the end of their contract, and only Heinrich Acht remained until 1928.<REF> Baird, p.53; Tanaka, p.89 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> From 1925 to 1928 he designed a number of lenses, from 7.5cm to 50cm focal length and from f/2 to f/6.8 maximal aperture.<REF> Tanaka, p.89 of {{KKS}} no.10, Lewis, p.184. </REF> Among them were three-element Flieger Objektiv 50cm lenses in f/5.4 and f/4.8 aperture, probably for aerial cameras.<REF> Baird, p.53, says f/5.4. Lewis, p.184, says f/4.8. [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/nagykepek/jpg_kepek_973410/nagykep_97341006_eng.html This table from an unknown Japanese source] says f/4.8 and f/5.4. Braakhuis also says f/4.8 and f/5.4 in "The History of Nippon Kogaku 1600–1949". Schwanner says f/4.5 in "Nikon 1917–1997", certainly by mistake. </REF> The other reported designs were a six-element Doppel Anastigmat f/6.8 (in 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 12cm, 15cm and 18cm), a four-element Dialyt Anastigmat f/6.3 (in 7.5cm, 10.5cm and 12cm) and f/4.5 (in 12cm), a three-element Porträt Objektiv 24cm f/3.0 and 30cm f/3.5 and a Projektions Objektiv 7.5cm f/2.0 projection lens.<REF> [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/nagykepek/jpg_kepek_973410/nagykep_97341006_eng.html Table from an unknown Japanese source] reproduced in Fotóművészet Online. </REF> It is not known if these lenses were actually manufactured or not, and it seems that none was mounted on a civilian camera.
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The first camera lens made by [[Nikon|Nippon Kōgaku]] was the Anytar Anastigmat 12cm f/4.5.<REF> Lewis, p.184, and Tanaka, p.89 of {{KKS}} no.10, say Anytar 12cm f/4, certainly by mistake. </REF> The company bought twenty [[Lily (metal)|Lily]] plate folders and mounted the Anytar lenses with dial-set [[Compur]] shutters, for experimental purpose.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1126; Baird, p.56. </REF> At least two surviving examples are known, reportedly having no.3087 and no.3093, the latter being mounted on a Lily camera.<REF> Lenses pictured in Baird, p.56. </REF> It is said that the Anytar lens was developed from 1929, and that other focal lengths were studied but never produced: 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 15cm and 18cm.<REF> Date: Lewis, p.184, Baird, p.55. Other focal lengths: Baird, p.55. </REF> Other sources say that the Anytar is dated 1931 or 1932, probably the date of completion of the first lenses or experimental Lily cameras.<REF> Tanaka, p.89 of {{KKS}} no.10, says 1931. {{Sugiyama}}, item 1126, says 1932. </REF>
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== Anytar lenses ==
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The Anytar lenses have a Tessar formula, and were first drawn by Hermann Acht or the other German engineers, then recomputed by Japanese engineers.<REF> Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. Baird, p.54, says that the Anytar were developed by Sunayama from 1929. </REF> It is said that a total of seven focal lengths were studied: 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 10.7cm, 12cm, 15cm, 18cm and 36cm.<REF> Full list in Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. Baird, p.55, only mentions the 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 15cm and 18cm. </REF> Four of these designs: 10.5cm f/4.5, 10.7cm f/4.5, 15cm f/4.5 and 18cm f/4.5, appear in a notebook by the engineer Yoshihashi Kagorō (吉橋嘉五郎), dated May 1930 and kept in the company's archives.<REF> Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses], where the cover page of the notebook and the lens scheme of the 10.5cm f/4.5 are reproduced. </REF> The notebook reportedly attributes the 10.5cm to Yoshihashi himself (certainly working on an original design by Acht), the 10.7cm to Hermann Dillmann and the other two designs to Acht.<REF> Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. </REF> The attribution of the 10.7cm to Dillmann would mean that it was designed in 1926 at the latest. The company still owns a prototype of this lens, mounted in a dial-set [[Compur]] shutter and having no marking.<REF> Lens pictured in Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. </REF> The lens design department was taken over by Sunayama Kakuya (砂山角野) after the departure of Acht in 1928.<REF> Baird, p.54, Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. </REF> The Anytar Anastigmat 12cm f/4.5 was completed in 1929, then improved again and released in 1931.<REF> Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses], Baird, p.54, Tanaka, p.89 of {{KKS}} no.10, Lewis, p.184. The latter two say f/4, certainly by mistake. </REF> The company bought twenty [[Lily (metal)|Lily]] plate folders and mounted the Anytar lenses with dial-set [[Compur]] shutters, for experimental purpose.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1126; Baird, p.56. </REF> The lens numbers known so far are no.3087 and no.3093, the latter being mounted on a Lily camera.<REF> Lens numbers reported in Baird, p.56. </REF>
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== Nikkor lenses ==
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The lens name became Nikkor Anastigmat in 1932.<REF> Baird, p.54, Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. </REF> It is said that the name change coincided with a further evolution of the lens design.<REF> Itō, [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm Anytar lenses]. </REF>
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''To be continued.''
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Baird Japanese}} Pp.54–6.
 
* {{Baird Japanese}} Pp.54–6.
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* Braakhuis, Hans. "The History of Nippon Kogaku 1600–1949". Published in [http://home.planet.nl/~braak117/history%20Nippon%20Kogaku%20Nikon.pdf pdf format] in [http://home.planet.nl/~braak117/ Nikon Catalogus].
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* Itō Mikio (伊藤幹生). Archivist's Memo No.2 "Anytar Lens" (メモ No.2「アニター・レンズ」). Published [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm in Japanese] and [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02_e.htm in English] in the [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/index.htm Nikon official website].
 
* {{Lewis}}
 
* {{Lewis}}
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* Schwanner, Endre. "Nikon 1917–1997". Published [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/973410_eng.html in Hungarian] and [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/973410_eng.html in English] in [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/ Fotóművészet Online].
 
* {{Zukan}}
 
* {{Zukan}}
 
* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Hekisā F4.5 no tanjō" (ヘキサーF4.5の誕生, The birth of the Hexar f/4.5). {{KKS010}} Pp.88–9.
 
* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Hekisā F4.5 no tanjō" (ヘキサーF4.5の誕生, The birth of the Hexar f/4.5). {{KKS010}} Pp.88–9.
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
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* [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/nagykepek/jpg_kepek_973410/nagykep_97341003_eng.html Anytar 12cm f/4.5 lens] on an unknown plate folder, in [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/ Fotóművészet Online]
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* Archivist's Memo No.2 "Anytar Lens", article by Itō Mikio [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/profile/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02.htm in Japanese] and [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/d-archives/memo/m02_e.htm in English] in the [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/index.htm Nikon official website], showing an Anytar 10.7cm f/4.5 prototype and an Anytar 12cm f/4.5
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* Pages of [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/ Fotóművészet Online]:
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** "Nikon 1917–1997", article by Endre Schwanner [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/973410_eng.html in Hungarian] and [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/973410_eng.html in English]
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** [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/nagykepek/jpg_kepek_973410/nagykep_97341006_eng.html Table of lens designs by Hermann Acht], taken from an unknown Japanese source
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** [http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9734/nagykepek/jpg_kepek_973410/nagykep_97341003_eng.html Anytar 12cm f/4.5 lens] on an unknown plate folder
  
 
[[Category: Japanese lenses]]
 
[[Category: Japanese lenses]]
 
[[Category: Nikon]]
 
[[Category: Nikon]]

Revision as of 01:02, 24 January 2008

Acht designs

Two years after its foundation in 1917, Nippon Kōgaku invited eight German advisers, who arrived in 1921.[1] They were specialists in optics and lens design and manufacture, among which were Heinrich Acht, Hermann Dillmann and Max Lange.[2] Most of them returned to Germany in 1926 at the end of their contract, and only Heinrich Acht remained until 1928.[3] From 1925 to 1928 he designed a number of lenses, from 7.5cm to 50cm focal length and from f/2 to f/6.8 maximal aperture.[4] Among them were three-element Flieger Objektiv 50cm lenses in f/5.4 and f/4.8 aperture, probably for aerial cameras.[5] The other reported designs were a six-element Doppel Anastigmat f/6.8 (in 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 12cm, 15cm and 18cm), a four-element Dialyt Anastigmat f/6.3 (in 7.5cm, 10.5cm and 12cm) and f/4.5 (in 12cm), a three-element Porträt Objektiv 24cm f/3.0 and 30cm f/3.5 and a Projektions Objektiv 7.5cm f/2.0 projection lens.[6] It is not known if these lenses were actually manufactured or not, and it seems that none was mounted on a civilian camera.

Anytar lenses

The Anytar lenses have a Tessar formula, and were first drawn by Hermann Acht or the other German engineers, then recomputed by Japanese engineers.[7] It is said that a total of seven focal lengths were studied: 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 10.7cm, 12cm, 15cm, 18cm and 36cm.[8] Four of these designs: 10.5cm f/4.5, 10.7cm f/4.5, 15cm f/4.5 and 18cm f/4.5, appear in a notebook by the engineer Yoshihashi Kagorō (吉橋嘉五郎), dated May 1930 and kept in the company's archives.[9] The notebook reportedly attributes the 10.5cm to Yoshihashi himself (certainly working on an original design by Acht), the 10.7cm to Hermann Dillmann and the other two designs to Acht.[10] The attribution of the 10.7cm to Dillmann would mean that it was designed in 1926 at the latest. The company still owns a prototype of this lens, mounted in a dial-set Compur shutter and having no marking.[11] The lens design department was taken over by Sunayama Kakuya (砂山角野) after the departure of Acht in 1928.[12] The Anytar Anastigmat 12cm f/4.5 was completed in 1929, then improved again and released in 1931.[13] The company bought twenty Lily plate folders and mounted the Anytar lenses with dial-set Compur shutters, for experimental purpose.[14] The lens numbers known so far are no.3087 and no.3093, the latter being mounted on a Lily camera.[15]

Nikkor lenses

The lens name became Nikkor Anastigmat in 1932.[16] It is said that the name change coincided with a further evolution of the lens design.[17]

To be continued.

Notes

  1. ↑ Baird, p.52.
  2. ↑ Baird, p.52.
  3. ↑ Baird, p.53; Tanaka, p.89 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  4. ↑ Tanaka, p.89 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Lewis, p.184.
  5. ↑ Baird, p.53, says f/5.4. Lewis, p.184, says f/4.8. This table from an unknown Japanese source says f/4.8 and f/5.4. Braakhuis also says f/4.8 and f/5.4 in "The History of Nippon Kogaku 1600–1949". Schwanner says f/4.5 in "Nikon 1917–1997", certainly by mistake.
  6. ↑ Table from an unknown Japanese source reproduced in Fotóművészet Online.
  7. ↑ Itō, Anytar lenses. Baird, p.54, says that the Anytar were developed by Sunayama from 1929.
  8. ↑ Full list in Itō, Anytar lenses. Baird, p.55, only mentions the 7.5cm, 10.5cm, 15cm and 18cm.
  9. ↑ Itō, Anytar lenses, where the cover page of the notebook and the lens scheme of the 10.5cm f/4.5 are reproduced.
  10. ↑ Itō, Anytar lenses.
  11. ↑ Lens pictured in Itō, Anytar lenses.
  12. ↑ Baird, p.54, Itō, Anytar lenses.
  13. ↑ Itō, Anytar lenses, Baird, p.54, Tanaka, p.89 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Lewis, p.184. The latter two say f/4, certainly by mistake.
  14. ↑ Sugiyama, item 1126; Baird, p.56.
  15. ↑ Lens numbers reported in Baird, p.56.
  16. ↑ Baird, p.54, Itō, Anytar lenses.
  17. ↑ Itō, Anytar lenses.

Bibliography

Links

In English:

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