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.

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

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

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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
  • KMC Komuranon 80-200mm f/4.5 Zoom, 52mm filter

Telemore lenses

  • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore 2x Tele-converter for Nikon
  • Sankyo Kohki Komura Telemore 2x Tele-converter for Canon
  • Telemore 95 2x Tele-converter for Mamiya RB67
  • Telemore 95 Hasselblad 6x6 2x Tele-converter
  • Komura Telemore 95 II 7KMC 2x Tele-converter for Minolta SR
  • Komura Telemore 95 II 7KMC 2x Tele-converter for Minolta XD
  • Komura Telemore 95 II 7KMC 2x Tele-converter for Olympus OM
  • Komura Telemore 95 II 7KMC 2x Tele-converter for 2XE for Hasselblad
  • Komura Telemore 95 KMC 2x Tele-converter for Bronica S2
  • Komura Telemore 95 2x Tele-converter for Asahi Pentax 6x7


Other products

  • 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: