Supreme lenses
The Supreme lenses were made by Orion, predecessor of Miranda Camera.
Contents
Lenses in Leica screw mount
Universal Supreme 5cm f/3.5
The Universal Supreme 5cm f/3.5 is only known from an article by Orima Isamu in Kurashikku Kamera Senka.[1] In this document, it appears on a viewfinder-only Chiyoca 35, which was passed to the author by Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of Orion. No other example is known, and the lens was perhaps a prototype. The serial number is 510418 — the two first digits might indicate that the lens was produced in 1951.
The lens is probably coupled to the rangefinder but this is not confirmed.[2] The lens owner reports that it has three elements, judging from the number of reflections;[3] this is however strange on a 5cm f/3.5 lens in Leica screw mount, where one would expect a Tessar formula with four elements.
The barrel is collapsible and has an all chrome finish. The rear part with the focusing ring is inspired by the Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5. Focus is driven by a tab with an infinity lock. The focusing scale is engraved in metres and goes down to 1.25m or closer.[4] The front part is inspired from the Elmar 5cm f/2.8, and has the aperture scale on the side, graduated from 3.5 to 16. The lens has two screw threads for filter or hood attachment: an inner one around the lens bezel and an outer one. The lens bezel is engraved Universal Supreme 1:3.5 f=5cm No.xxxxxx in black on a chrome background.
Orion Seiki Supreme 3.5cm f/3.5
The Orion Seiki Supreme 3.5cm f/3.5 is only known from a lens sold at auction in 2008.[5] It has an all chrome rigid barrel. The focusing ring has a tab and an infinity lock, and is coupled to the rangefinder. The distance scale is engraved in feet, from ∞ to 3½ft. The aperture ring is at the front of the barrel, and is graduated from 3.5 to 16. The lens rim is engraved Orion Seiki Supreme 1:3.5 f=3.5cm No.xxxxxx in black on a chrome background. The serial number of the only example known so far is 510464, only slightly later than that of the Universal Supreme 5cm f/3.5 — the two first digits are again probably related to the year of production.
To be continued.
Notes
- ↑ Orima, pp.104–6 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.24.
- ↑ The lens was found on a viewfinder-only camera, hence the doubt.
- ↑ Orima, pp.105 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.24.
- ↑ In the available pictures, the focusing tab perhaps hides the minimum distance.
- ↑ Lens sold as lot no.397 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008) by Westlicht.
Bibliography
- Orima Isamu (織間勇). "Puāmanzu Raika o mezashita ga: Chiyoka 35" (プアーマンズライカを目ざしたが・チヨカ35, The Chiyoca 35, a would-be poor man's Leica). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.24, March 1993. No ISBN number. Leica Book '93: Barunakku-gata Raika zukan (バルナック型ライカ図鑑, album of screw-mount Leica cameras). Pp.104–6. (Shows a Universal Supreme 5cm f/3.5 on a Chiyoca 35. The camera and lens were passed to the author by Ogihara Akira [萩原彰], creator of the Miranda camera.)
Links
In English:
- Past sales by Westlicht:
- Supreme 3.5cm f/3.5 in Leica screw mount: lot no.397 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008)
- Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head with Mirax reflex housing: lot no.365 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
- Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 in focusing barrel with Mirax reflex housing: lot no.398 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008)
- Supreme lens head with Mirax and Focabell among rare items, among Focabell bellows and among macro lenses, at the Miranda Camera website (the lens is listed as a 105/3.5 on some places, certainly by mistake)
In Japanese:
- Pages of the Miranda Society Japan:
- Supreme 105/2.8 lens head among macro lenses and with the Focabell bellows system
- Supreme 105/2.8 in 44mm screw mount among telephoto lenses
- Advertisement for the Mirax, Focabell and Supreme in the main page
