Difference between revisions of "Tōkyō Kōgaku"

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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/8014/7633121868_b6d214751c.jpg
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|image_text= Topcon RE Super<br>with interchangeable finders
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|image_by= Massimo Zuccolo
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'''Tōkyō Kōgaku''', later '''Topcon''', is a Japanese optical manufacturer, previously a manufacturer of photographic equipment.
 +
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 +
=== Foundation as an optical company ===
 +
The company was founded in 1932 as '''Tōkyō Kōgaku Kikai K.K.''' (東京光学機械{{kabu}}, usually translated as '''Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd'''). It resulted from the merger on 1 September 1932 of the measure instruments section of Seikōsha (the manufacturing branch of [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]]) and Katsuma Kōgaku Kikai Seisakusho (勝間光学機械製作所), said to be a subcontractor or a dependent company.<REF> See [http://global.topcon.com/invest/inquiries/faq/#page1 the FAQ of Topcon's website]. The JCII exhibition catalogue ''Nihon no kamera o omoshiroku shita kyōshū no burando ten'' says the same and adds that Katsuma was a dependent company of Hattori. Lewis, p.184, says that it was a subcontractor. Baird, p.69, says that Tōkyō Kōgaku was formed by the optical section of Seikōsha and by Katsuma, a small binocular maker (perhaps by confusion with a later Katsuma company that made binoculars after the war), and that it bought the surveying instruments section of Seikōsha in 1933, but it seems that these are mistakes. Antonetto and Russo, p.21, repeats the same story as Baird. </REF> As its name indicates, it was based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address in 1932 was Tōkyō-shi Kyōbashi-ku Ginza 4–2 (東京市京橋区銀座4丁目2番地), with plants in Toshima-ku (豊島区) and Takinogawa-ku (滝野川区). At the beginning of 1933, the company moved to its main plant in Tōkyō-shi Itabashi-ku Shimura Motohasunuma-chō 180-banchi (東京市板橋区志村本蓮沼町180番地), where it still resides (2007). Source: [http://global.topcon.com/about/profile/ chronology of the official website]. This address is confirmed for the year 1943 by the {{Inquiry1943_short}}. </REF> It remained dependent of Hattori Tokei-ten until 1947.<REF> Baird, p.72. </REF>
 +
 +
It was first an optical company, like [[Nikon|Nippon Kōgaku]] (later Nikon). It was a supplier to the Imperial Japanese Army whereas Nippon Kōgaku was a supplier to the Navy.<REF> Baird, p.69. </REF> The first lens was the State (ステート) triplet, made available in 1933.<REF> Baird, p.70; Antonetto and Russo, p.21. </REF> It was followed in 1934<REF> Baird, p.71; Antonetto and Russo, p.22. </REF> by the Toko (トーコー) triplet and in 1935<REF> Various sources say that the Simlar was introduced in 1937, but the lens is already mentioned in advertisements dated 1935 for the [[First plate folders|First]], [[First Etui]] and [[First Roll]]. </REF> by the [[Simlar]] (シムラー) four-element lens. The name Toko certainly stands for <U>To</U>kyo <U>Ko</U>gaku, and it is said that the name Simlar (written ''shimurā'' in Japanese) comes from Shimura, the quarter where the company plant is located.<REF> See [http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lens6.htm this page of the Topcon Club website]. </REF> The company also made special purpose lenses, many of them for military use until 1945. It began producing [[Tōkyō Kōgaku lenses in Leica screw mount|39mm screw lenses]] immediately after the war, notable mounted on the [[Leotax]] cameras.
 +
 +
=== First cameras ===
 +
The company's first camera was the [[Lord (Tōkyō Kōgaku)|Lord]], released in 1937, which was not a big success. It was followed in 1938 by the [[Minion]] 4×5cm folders. The company began the production of 35mm cameras in 1948 with the [[Minion 35]] and of 6×6 [[TLR]] cameras in 1950 with the [[Topcoflex]], mainly distributed as the [[Primoflex]] and [[Laurelflex]]. It was the first appearance of the "Topco" name, probably from <U>T</U>okyo <U>Op</U>tical <U>Co</U>mpany. The Topcon brand name appeared in 1953 on the [[Topcon 35]], successor of the Minion 35 series, and the Topcor lens name appeared in 1954, soon replacing all the previous lens names. (Topcon and Topcor were obviously modelled after Nikon and Nikkor.)
 +
 +
In 1953 and 1954, the dependent company [[Yamagata|Yamagata Kikai]] made the [[Semi Oscon]] that was advertised together with the company's own cameras.
 +
 +
=== Topcon SLRs ===
 +
The company began the production of Topcon 35mm SLRs in 1957 (before either [[Nikon]] or [[Canon]] produced an [[SLR]]), and it very soon concentrated on these, stopping the production of all the other types. The Topcon RE Super, launched in 1963 at the Photokina, was the company's most innovative camera and one of its most rugged and versatile. It was the first SLR with a [[TTL|through-the-lens]] [[light meter|exposure meter]]. [[Pentax]] would follow the next year with the [[Spotmatic]], and Nikon only in 1965 with the Nikkormat FT, and with the Photomic T prism for the [[Nikon F]].
 +
 +
In parallel to the high end bodies, Tōkyō Kōgaku also manufactured simpler SLRs, at the beginning with a central shutter, later with a [[Copal]] Square [[focal plane shutter|focal-plane shutter]].
 +
 +
The Topcon SLRs were imported in the USA by [[Beseler]], which put its own name on the bodies. Some models were marked [[Hanimex]] when imported in the Commonwealth.
  
−
'''Topcon''' was a Japanese manufacturer. Its full name was '''Tokyo Kogaku''', and it appeared in 1932 as an optical company. It was one of the two big Japanese optical companies, the other being [[Nippon Kogaku]], best known as [[Nikon]]. The company's first camera was released in 1937 and was not a big success. It remained a quite minor camera maker until the end of the 1950s, even if its range of 6x6 TLRs met some success.
+
At the end of the 1960s, the company ceased to innovate on the SLRs, and produced variations on the same basic design until 1976. The bodies made after 1977 are not up to their predecessors, and the rumor says they were not designed by Tōkyō Kōgaku but elsewhere.
  
−
It began the production of 35mm SLRs in 1957, and it very soon concentrated on it, stopping the production of all the other types. The Topcon '''RE Super''', launched in 1963 at the Photokina, was their most innovative and most professional camera. It was the first SLR with a through the lens exposure meter. [[Pentax]] would follow next year with the [[Spotmatic]], and Nikon only in 1965 with the Nikkormat FT, and with the Photomic T prism for the [[Nikon F]].
+
=== End of camera production ===
 +
Tōkyō Kōgaku ended sales of 35mm cameras in December 1980, but production of the [[Horseman VH]] and [[Horseman VH-R|VH-R]] 6x9 models continued, including the development of the [[Horseman ER-1]] based on orders from [[Komamura]]. It thereafter concentrated on making specialist optical equipment of no direct relation to photography, and in 1989 took the name '''K.K. Topcon''' ({{kabu}}トプコン). It still (2007) exists.
  
−
In parallel to the high end bodies, Topcon also manufactured simpler SLRs, at the beginning with a central shutter, later with a Copal Square focal plane shutter.
+
Today the better Topcon models are eagerly collected in Japan. In 2003 <!-- I think, but I'm not sure (Hoary) --> [[Cosina]] designed and marketed an "Auto-Topcor" 58/1.4 lens (in Nikon F and M42 mounts) that externally resembles the genuine Tōkyō Kōgaku item and is even marked ''Tokyo Kogaku''; it also created a variant of its [[M42|M42-mount]] [[Bessaflex TM|Bessaflex SLR]] whose distinctive [[pentaprism]] housing resembles that of the Topcon RE Super.
  
−
The Topcon SLRs were imported in the USA by Beseler, which put their own name on the bodies. Some models were marked Hanimex when imported in the Commonwealth.
+
=== Trademarks ===
 +
'''Topcoflex''' was registered as a trademark in the United States on 3 October 1953 by Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd, whose address at that time was 180 Hon-Hasunuma-Cho, Shimura Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=72016916 Topcoflex trademark registration in US]</ref> Later, 1 November, 1957, the same trademark was registered in Canada.<ref>[http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/vwTrdmrk.do?lang=eng&fileNumber=242959 Topcoflex trademark registration in Canada]</ref>.  
  
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At the end of the 1960s, Topcon ceased to innovate, and produced variations on the same basic design until 1976. The bodies made after 1977 are not up to their predecessors, and the rumor says they were not designed by Topcon but in an external company.
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'''Topconette''' was registered in the United States on 21 December 1961. The company still listed the same address as on the 1953 filing at this time.<ref>[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=72134498 Topconette trademark registration in US]</ref>
  
−
Topcon decided to stop the production of cameras in 1981. Today the Topcon of the good period are eagerly collected in Japan.
+
'''Unirex''' was registered as a trademark in the US on 2 March, 1970. Even at this late date, the registration continues to show the name Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd. and the same address as previous filing.<ref>[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=72352739 Unirex trademark registration in US]</ref>
  
−
== 35mm SLRs ==
+
== 35mm film ==
  
−
=== Exakta lens mount ===
+
=== SLR ===
  
−
* Topcon R = Beseler B Topcon (1957-1960)
+
==== Exakta lens mount ====
−
* Topcon RII = Beseler C Topcon (1960-1961)
+
{{Flickr_image
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* Topcon RIII Automatic (1961-1963)
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/5023793350/in/pool-camerawiki
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* Topcon RS (1963), rare variant of the RE Super with no meter
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4145/5023793350_52d43f744a_m.jpg
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* Topcon RE Super = Beseler Topcon Super D (1963-1972)
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|image_align= right
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* Topcon RE-2 = Beseler Topcon D-1 = Hanimex Topcon RE-2 (1965-)
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|image_text= RE Super
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* Topcon Super D = Beseler Topcon Super D (1972-1973)
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|image_by= Rick Soloway
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* Topcon Super DM (1973-1976)
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|image_rights=with permission
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* Topcon RE200 = Exakta EDX2 = Carena KS1 (1977-)
+
}}
−
* Topcon RE300 = Exakta EDX3 = Carena KS2
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* [[Topcon R]] = Beseler B Topcon (1957-1960)
 +
* [[Topcon RII]] = Beseler C Topcon (1960-1961)
 +
* [[Topcon R III]] Automatic (1961-1963)
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* [[Topcon RS]] (1963), rare variant of the RE Super with no meter
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* [[Topcon RE Super]] = Beseler Topcon Super D (1963-1972)
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* [[Topcon RE-2]] = Beseler Topcon D-1 = Hanimex Topcon RE-2 (1965-1969)
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* [[Topcon Super D]] = Beseler Topcon Super D (1971-1973)
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* [[Topcon Super DM]] (1973-1976)
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* [[Topcon RE 200]] = Exakta EDX2 = Carena KS1 (1977-)
 +
* [[Topcon RE 300]] = Exakta EDX3 = Carena KS2
 +
* [[Topcon T]] message register camera
  
 
All of these take [[Exakta lenses]].
 
All of these take [[Exakta lenses]].
  
−
=== Pentax K mount ===
+
==== Pentax K mount ====
 +
 
 +
* [[Topcon RM 300]], the same body with minor modifications was sold under the names of [[Quantaray D2-RZ |Quantaray Delta 2-RZ]], Carena KSM1, Exakta KE4 and Exakta KE5
 +
* Topcon AM-1, never sold, released in 1983 by Cima as [[Cimko LS-1]] and, in the US, as the [[Lindenblatt KL-2]]<ref>[http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/cimko.htm Topconclub CIMKO LS-1]</ref> (sold by Cambridge Camera Exchange, Inc, whose chairman was George Lindenblatt).
 +
 
 +
They take [[K mount lenses|Pentax K lenses]].
  
−
* Topcon RM300, the same body with minor modifications was sold under the names of Quantaray Delta 2-RZ, Carena KSM1, Exakta KE4 and Exakta KE5
+
==== Topcon UV lens mount ====
−
* Topcon AM-1, never sold, released in 1983 by Cima as Cimko LS-1
+
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/31319546@N08/36641292001/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4420/36641292001_005affc79b_m_d.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Wink S Mirror
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|image_by= Adrian Gee
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|image_rights=with permission
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}}
 +
* [[Topcon Wink Mirror S]] (1963-1964)
 +
* [[Topcon Uni]] = Beseler Topcon Auto 100 = Hanimex Topcon RE Auto (1964-1969)
 +
* [[Topcon Unirex]] = Beseler Topcon Unirex (1969-1973)
 +
* [[Topcon Unirex|Topcon Unirex EE]] (1972-1974)
 +
* [[Topcon IC-1 Auto]] (1974-1976)
 +
* [[Topcon IC-1 Auto|Topcon New IC-1 Auto]] (1976-1978)
  
−
They take [[Pentax K lenses]].
+
The cameras with UV lens mount are a unique series which comprises both leaf shutter and focal plane shutter SLR bodies. All of these take [[Topcon UV lenses]].
  
−
=== Topcon UV lens mount ===
+
==== Fixed lens ====
  
−
* Topcon Uni = Beseler Topcon Auto 100 = Hanimex Topcon RE Auto (1964-1969)
+
* [[Topcon PR]] (1959-1960)
−
* Topcon Unirex = Beseler Topcon Unirex (1969-1973)
+
* [[Topcon PR II]] = [[DeJur]] Dekon-SR (1960)
−
* Topcon Unirex EE (1972-1974)
+
* [[Topcon Wink Mirror]] (1960-1961)
−
* Topcon IC-1 Auto (1974-1976)
+
* [[Topcon Wink Mirror E]] = Beseler Topconette (1961-1963)
−
* Topcon New IC-1 Auto (1976-1978)
 
  
−
All of these take [[Topcon UV lenses]].
+
All had front element optical complements available.
  
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=== Fixed lens ===
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=== Viewfinder ===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48090423283/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48090423283_3eb00bcf46_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Minion 35 {{with permission}}
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}}
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* [[Minion 35|Minion 35A]] (24×32)
 +
* [[Minion 35|Minion 35B]] (24×32)
 +
* [[Minion 35|Minion 35C]] (24×36)
 +
* [[Topcon 35|Topcon 35A]]
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* Topcon 135EE (rebranded [[Haking Autoflash 35]])
  
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* Topcon PR (1959-1960)
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=== Rangefinder ===
−
* Topcon PRII = DeJur Dekon-SR (1960)
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* [[Topcon 35|Topcon 35B]]
−
* Topcon Wink Mirror (1960-1961)
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* [[Topcon 35-S, L and JL|Topcon 35-S]]
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* Topcon Wink Mirror E = Beseler Topconette (1961-1963)
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* [[Topcon 35-S, L and JL|Topcon 35-L]]
−
* Topcon Wink Mirror S (1963-1964)
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* [[Topcon 35-S, L and JL|Topcon-JL]]
  
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All had front element optical complements available.
+
== 120 film ==
 +
=== 6×6 TLR ===
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* Topcoflex
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<div class="plainlinks floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48093205606/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48093205606_cec016c0fe_m.jpg]<br>Primo Jr {{with permission}}</div>
 +
* [[Primoflex]]
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* [[Sunflex IV]]
 +
 
 +
=== 4.5×6 telescopic ===
 +
* [[Lord (Tōkyō Kōgaku)|Lord]]
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 +
== 127 film ==
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=== 4×4 TLR ===
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* [[Primo Jr]]
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* [[Primo Jr]] with exposure meter
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* [[Primo Jr|Sawyer's Mark IV]], name variant of the Primo Jr
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 +
<div class="plainlinks floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48104118831/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48104118831_b3f8a05ba5_m_d.jpg]<br>Minion II<br><small>''Picture by eBayer tbcam.</small>{{with permission}}''</div>
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=== 4×5 folding ===
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* [[Minion]]
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== Subminiature ==
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The [[Mascot]] subminiature was produced by [[Shimura]] on behalf of Tōkyō Kōgaku.
 +
== [[Press camera]] ==
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* [[Topcon Horseman Press]]
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== Military ==
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* [[Kaitenkei]] spy camera
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* Army Type 99 Ultra Small Aerial Camera ([[GSK-99]]) (part of the production)
 +
* also see other [[Japanese aerial cameras]]
 +
 
 +
== Lenses ==
 +
 
 +
=== Interchangeable lenses ===
 +
* [[Tōkyō Kōgaku lenses in Leica screw mount|Leica screw mount lenses]]
 +
* Topcon/Exakta mount lenses
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* [[Topcon UV lenses|UV mount lenses]]
 +
* Topcor 8cm f/5.6 for the [[Topcon 35|Topcon 35A and 35B]]
 +
* Large format lenses mounted on the [[Horseman]] cameras
 +
 
 +
=== Fixed lenses on cameras from other makers ===
 +
Not all examples of the cameras listed below have Tōkyō Kōgaku lenses. All the lenses below have three elements unless noted.
 +
* Toko 60mm f/3.5:
 +
** reported on the [[Auto Keef]] by [[Kokusaku]] (also reported as 50mm f/3.5, perhaps by mistake)
 +
* Kraft 60mm f/3.5:
 +
** on the [[Kraft]] by [[Ishii and Echt|Echt]], certainly a rebadged Toko (other Kraft lenses were made by [[Takahashi]])
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5260127411/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5260127411_836759c25b_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text= Toko f/3.5 75mm in Tōkyō Kōgaku RECTUS shutter
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| image_by=Dirk HR Spennemann
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| image_rights=with permission
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}}
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* Toko 7.5cm f/6.3:
 +
** on the [[Semi First and First Six]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
* Toko 7.5cm f/4.5:
 +
** on the [[Semi First and First Six|Semi First, First Six]], [[Baby Semi First]] and [[Speed Pocket]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
* Toko 7.5cm f/3.5:
 +
** on the [[Semi First and First Six]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]; and the [[Mamiya Six]] K
 +
* Toko 75mm f/3.5:
 +
** on the [[Semi Leotax DL and R]] by [[Shōwa Kōgaku]]
 +
** on the [[Mihama Six|Mihama Six R]] by [[Mihama|Suruga]]
 +
** on the [[Mizuho Six|Mizuho Six Super T]] by [[Neoca]]
 +
** on the [[Semi Oscon]] by [[Yamagata]]
 +
* Toko 10.5cm f/6.3:
 +
** on the [[First Etui]], [[First Roll]] and [[First Center]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
* Toko 10.5cm f/4.5:
 +
** on the [[First Roll]] and [[First Center]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
* State 10.5cm f/4.5:
 +
** on the [[First plate folders|First]], [[Kokka]], [[First Etui]], [[First Roll]] and [[First Center]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
** reported on the [[Romax plate folder]]
 +
* [[Simlar]] 10.5cm f/4.5 (four elements):
 +
** on the [[First plate folders|First, Special First]], [[First Etui]] and [[First Roll]] by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]
 +
** on the [[Pearl (6×9 self-erecting)|Luxury Pearl]] and [[Lily_(metal_and_tropical)|New Lily]] by [[Konishiroku]]
 +
Unlike what is said by some sources, the Rotte Anastigmat lenses were not made by Tōkyō Kōgaku but by [[Tokiwa Kōgaku]].<REF> Mistake in Antonetto and Russo, p.25, and perhaps elsewhere as well. </REF> An original document attributes the Hit 7.5cm f/3.5 four-element lens of the [[Auto Semi First]] and [[First Reflex|First Reflex II]] to Tōkyō Kōgaku, but this is perhaps a mistake and the lens was perhaps made by Tokiwa Kōgaku as well.<REF> See the discussion in the page on the [[First Reflex]]. </REF>
 +
 
 +
=== Miscellaneous ===
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4798838542/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=  http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4798838542_e21e909670_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text= [[Simlar]] 7.5cm f/3.5 lens in a [[KOO-Tiyoko]] shutter on a [[GSK-99]]
 +
| image_by=Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
| image_rights=with permission
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
* Barrel lenses:
 +
** [[Simlar]] 18cm f/4.5
 +
** [[Simlar]] 21cm f/4.5 (c.1937)
 +
* Regular military lenses:
 +
** [[Simlar]] 7.5cm f/3.5 (c.1940) used in the Army Type 99 Ultra Small Aerial Camera ([[GSK-99]])
 +
** [[Simlar]] 180mm f/4.5 (c.1940) for the [[Japanese aerial cameras|SK-100]] aerial camera
 +
** [[Simlar]] 300/4.5
 +
** [[Simlar|Tele-Simlar]] 40cm f/5, for [[Japanese aerial cameras|aerial cameras]]
 +
* Wide aperture lenses, for military or other use:
 +
** [[Simlar]] 50/0.7 (c.1941–4)
 +
** [[Simlar]] 5cm f/0.7 (c.1951)
 +
** [[Simlar]] 50mm f/1.5 (c.1940)
 +
** [[Simlar]] 13cm f/1 (c.1940) used in the [[Japanese night camera]]
 +
** [[Simlar|Simlar-F]] 180mm f/1.5 (c.1942)
 +
* Enlarging lenses:
 +
** Topcor 50/3.5 (sold at {{yen|4,500|1955}} in 1955)<REF name="ACA 01-08/55"> Advertisements in {{ACA}} January and August 1955 and {{SSA}} November 1955, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.151. </REF>
 +
** Toko 7.5cm f/4.5<REF name="picture Topcon Club"> Picture in [http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lens8.htm this page of the Topcon Club website]. </REF>
 +
** E.Toko 7.5cm f/3.5 (sold at {{yen|3,500|1955}} in 1955),<REF name="ACA 01-08/55" /> at least two variations<REF name="picture Topcon Club" />
 +
** [[Simlar]] 75/3.5<REF name="ACA 01-08/55" />
 +
 
 +
== Other ==
 +
* Minion enlarger<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} June 1950, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.150. </REF>
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references />
  
 +
== Sources / further reading ==
 +
* {{Antonetto Russo}}
 +
* {{Showa10}}
 +
* {{Baird Japanese}}
 +
* {{Inquiry1943}}
 +
* {{Lewis}}
 +
* ''Nihon no kamera o omoshiroku shita kyōshū no burando ten'' (日本のカメラを面白くした郷愁のブランド展, Exhibition of nostalgic brands that made Japanese cameras interesting). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1997. Exhibition catalogue.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 +
=== General links ===
 +
In English:
 +
* [http://members.cox.net/topconcollection/ The Topcon Collection] website by Leon Schoenfeld
 +
* [http://exaktaphile.net/captjack/praktina/Topcon%20Cameras.htm Topcon page] in [http://exaktaphile.net/captjack/CameraPage.htm Jack's Exakta Pages]
 +
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/beseler.htm Topcon/Beseler instruction manuals (English) at butkus.org's Orphan Cameras], in PDF format
 +
 +
In Japanese:
 +
* [http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/ The Topcon Club]
 +
* [http://www.topcon.co.jp/corporate/history.html Chronology] and [http://www.topcon.co.jp/invest/13faq.html FAQ page] of the [http://www.topcon.co.jp/ Topcon official website]
 +
 +
=== Miscellaneous links ===
 +
<!-- These last links will perhaps be moved to some other page one day. -->
 +
In English:
 +
* [http://www.vermontel.net/%7ewsalati/CasualCollector/topcon.htm Topcon RE Super] at Bill Salati's [http://www.vermontel.net/%7ewsalati/CasualCollector/index.htm Casual Collector] website
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* [http://cameraquest.com/voigtFlexTM.htm Topcon-styled Bessaflex and Auto-Topcor 58/1.4], within a page on the Bessaflex in general at [http://www.cameraquest.com Cameraquest]
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In Japanese:
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* [http://archive.is/skykogaku.com/topcon/topcon.html Topcon Super D, Topcon Wink S Mirror and Topcon 35A] at the [http://archive.is/skykogaku.com/index.html Sky Kogaku website] (archived)
 +
* Pages of the [http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/ Topcon Club website] about special items:
 +
** [http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lens8.htm Large format, enlarging and special lenses]
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* [http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/sbko-hq/OTHERS/Topcor58_14.html Cosina Auto-Topcor 58/1.4], within [http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/sbko-hq/Okie's_Lens_List.html Okie Masanori's lens collection]
  
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* [http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/Topconclub/ The Topcon collectors' club in Japan]
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[[Category: Japanese camera makers|Tokyo Kogaku]]
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[[Category: Japanese lens makers|Tokyo Kogaku]]
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[[Category: Topcon|*]]

Latest revision as of 14:48, 11 December 2022

7633121868_b6d214751c.jpg
Topcon RE Super
with interchangeable finders
image by Massimo Zuccolo (Image rights)

Tōkyō Kōgaku, later Topcon, is a Japanese optical manufacturer, previously a manufacturer of photographic equipment.

History

Foundation as an optical company

The company was founded in 1932 as Tōkyō Kōgaku Kikai K.K. (東京光学機械㈱, usually translated as Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd). It resulted from the merger on 1 September 1932 of the measure instruments section of Seikōsha (the manufacturing branch of Hattori Tokei-ten) and Katsuma Kōgaku Kikai Seisakusho (勝間光学機械製作所), said to be a subcontractor or a dependent company.[1] As its name indicates, it was based in Tokyo.[2] It remained dependent of Hattori Tokei-ten until 1947.[3]

It was first an optical company, like Nippon Kōgaku (later Nikon). It was a supplier to the Imperial Japanese Army whereas Nippon Kōgaku was a supplier to the Navy.[4] The first lens was the State (ステート) triplet, made available in 1933.[5] It was followed in 1934[6] by the Toko (トーコー) triplet and in 1935[7] by the Simlar (シムラー) four-element lens. The name Toko certainly stands for Tokyo Kogaku, and it is said that the name Simlar (written shimurā in Japanese) comes from Shimura, the quarter where the company plant is located.[8] The company also made special purpose lenses, many of them for military use until 1945. It began producing 39mm screw lenses immediately after the war, notable mounted on the Leotax cameras.

First cameras

The company's first camera was the Lord, released in 1937, which was not a big success. It was followed in 1938 by the Minion 4×5cm folders. The company began the production of 35mm cameras in 1948 with the Minion 35 and of 6×6 TLR cameras in 1950 with the Topcoflex, mainly distributed as the Primoflex and Laurelflex. It was the first appearance of the "Topco" name, probably from Tokyo Optical Company. The Topcon brand name appeared in 1953 on the Topcon 35, successor of the Minion 35 series, and the Topcor lens name appeared in 1954, soon replacing all the previous lens names. (Topcon and Topcor were obviously modelled after Nikon and Nikkor.)

In 1953 and 1954, the dependent company Yamagata Kikai made the Semi Oscon that was advertised together with the company's own cameras.

Topcon SLRs

The company began the production of Topcon 35mm SLRs in 1957 (before either Nikon or Canon produced an SLR), and it very soon concentrated on these, stopping the production of all the other types. The Topcon RE Super, launched in 1963 at the Photokina, was the company's most innovative camera and one of its most rugged and versatile. It was the first SLR with a through-the-lens exposure meter. Pentax would follow the next year with the Spotmatic, and Nikon only in 1965 with the Nikkormat FT, and with the Photomic T prism for the Nikon F.

In parallel to the high end bodies, Tōkyō Kōgaku also manufactured simpler SLRs, at the beginning with a central shutter, later with a Copal Square focal-plane shutter.

The Topcon SLRs were imported in the USA by Beseler, which put its own name on the bodies. Some models were marked Hanimex when imported in the Commonwealth.

At the end of the 1960s, the company ceased to innovate on the SLRs, and produced variations on the same basic design until 1976. The bodies made after 1977 are not up to their predecessors, and the rumor says they were not designed by Tōkyō Kōgaku but elsewhere.

End of camera production

Tōkyō Kōgaku ended sales of 35mm cameras in December 1980, but production of the Horseman VH and VH-R 6x9 models continued, including the development of the Horseman ER-1 based on orders from Komamura. It thereafter concentrated on making specialist optical equipment of no direct relation to photography, and in 1989 took the name K.K. Topcon (㈱トプコン). It still (2007) exists.

Today the better Topcon models are eagerly collected in Japan. In 2003 Cosina designed and marketed an "Auto-Topcor" 58/1.4 lens (in Nikon F and M42 mounts) that externally resembles the genuine Tōkyō Kōgaku item and is even marked Tokyo Kogaku; it also created a variant of its M42-mount Bessaflex SLR whose distinctive pentaprism housing resembles that of the Topcon RE Super.

Trademarks

Topcoflex was registered as a trademark in the United States on 3 October 1953 by Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd, whose address at that time was 180 Hon-Hasunuma-Cho, Shimura Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan.[9] Later, 1 November, 1957, the same trademark was registered in Canada.[10].

Topconette was registered in the United States on 21 December 1961. The company still listed the same address as on the 1953 filing at this time.[11]

Unirex was registered as a trademark in the US on 2 March, 1970. Even at this late date, the registration continues to show the name Tokyo Optical Company, Ltd. and the same address as previous filing.[12]

35mm film

SLR

Exakta lens mount

5023793350_52d43f744a_m.jpg
RE Super
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)

All of these take Exakta lenses.

Pentax K mount

  • Topcon RM 300, the same body with minor modifications was sold under the names of Quantaray Delta 2-RZ, Carena KSM1, Exakta KE4 and Exakta KE5
  • Topcon AM-1, never sold, released in 1983 by Cima as Cimko LS-1 and, in the US, as the Lindenblatt KL-2[13] (sold by Cambridge Camera Exchange, Inc, whose chairman was George Lindenblatt).

They take Pentax K lenses.

Topcon UV lens mount

36641292001_005affc79b_m_d.jpg
Wink S Mirror
image by Adrian Gee (Image rights)

The cameras with UV lens mount are a unique series which comprises both leaf shutter and focal plane shutter SLR bodies. All of these take Topcon UV lenses.

Fixed lens

All had front element optical complements available.

Viewfinder

48090423283_3eb00bcf46_m.jpg
Minion 35 (Image rights)

Rangefinder

120 film

6×6 TLR

  • Topcoflex
48093205606_cec016c0fe_m.jpg
Primo Jr (Image rights)

4.5×6 telescopic

127 film

4×4 TLR

48104118831_b3f8a05ba5_m_d.jpg
Minion II
Picture by eBayer tbcam.(Image rights)

4×5 folding

Subminiature

The Mascot subminiature was produced by Shimura on behalf of Tōkyō Kōgaku.

Press camera

Military

Lenses

Interchangeable lenses

Fixed lenses on cameras from other makers

Not all examples of the cameras listed below have Tōkyō Kōgaku lenses. All the lenses below have three elements unless noted.

  • Toko 60mm f/3.5:
    • reported on the Auto Keef by Kokusaku (also reported as 50mm f/3.5, perhaps by mistake)
  • Kraft 60mm f/3.5:
    • on the Kraft by Echt, certainly a rebadged Toko (other Kraft lenses were made by Takahashi)
5260127411_836759c25b_m.jpg
Toko f/3.5 75mm in Tōkyō Kōgaku RECTUS shutter
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

Unlike what is said by some sources, the Rotte Anastigmat lenses were not made by Tōkyō Kōgaku but by Tokiwa Kōgaku.[14] An original document attributes the Hit 7.5cm f/3.5 four-element lens of the Auto Semi First and First Reflex II to Tōkyō Kōgaku, but this is perhaps a mistake and the lens was perhaps made by Tokiwa Kōgaku as well.[15]

Miscellaneous

4798838542_e21e909670_m.jpg
Simlar 7.5cm f/3.5 lens in a KOO-Tiyoko shutter on a GSK-99
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

Other

Notes

  1. ↑ See the FAQ of Topcon's website. The JCII exhibition catalogue Nihon no kamera o omoshiroku shita kyōshū no burando ten says the same and adds that Katsuma was a dependent company of Hattori. Lewis, p.184, says that it was a subcontractor. Baird, p.69, says that Tōkyō Kōgaku was formed by the optical section of Seikōsha and by Katsuma, a small binocular maker (perhaps by confusion with a later Katsuma company that made binoculars after the war), and that it bought the surveying instruments section of Seikōsha in 1933, but it seems that these are mistakes. Antonetto and Russo, p.21, repeats the same story as Baird.
  2. ↑ Its address in 1932 was Tōkyō-shi Kyōbashi-ku Ginza 4–2 (東京市京橋区銀座4丁目2番地), with plants in Toshima-ku (豊島区) and Takinogawa-ku (滝野川区). At the beginning of 1933, the company moved to its main plant in Tōkyō-shi Itabashi-ku Shimura Motohasunuma-chō 180-banchi (東京市板橋区志村本蓮沼町180番地), where it still resides (2007). Source: chronology of the official website. This address is confirmed for the year 1943 by the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras").
  3. ↑ Baird, p.72.
  4. ↑ Baird, p.69.
  5. ↑ Baird, p.70; Antonetto and Russo, p.21.
  6. ↑ Baird, p.71; Antonetto and Russo, p.22.
  7. ↑ Various sources say that the Simlar was introduced in 1937, but the lens is already mentioned in advertisements dated 1935 for the First, First Etui and First Roll.
  8. ↑ See this page of the Topcon Club website.
  9. ↑ Topcoflex trademark registration in US
  10. ↑ Topcoflex trademark registration in Canada
  11. ↑ Topconette trademark registration in US
  12. ↑ Unirex trademark registration in US
  13. ↑ Topconclub CIMKO LS-1
  14. ↑ Mistake in Antonetto and Russo, p.25, and perhaps elsewhere as well.
  15. ↑ See the discussion in the page on the First Reflex.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Advertisements in Asahi Camera January and August 1955 and Shashin Salon November 1955, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.151.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Picture in this page of the Topcon Club website.
  18. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera June 1950, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.150.

Sources / further reading

  • Antonetto, M. and Russo, C. Topcon Story. Lugano: Nassa Watch Gallery, 1997. ISBN 88-87161-00-3.
  • Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7.
  • Baird, John R. The Japanese Camera. Yakima, WA: Historical Camera Publications, 1990. ISBN 1-879561-02-6.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7.
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard).
  • Nihon no kamera o omoshiroku shita kyōshū no burando ten (日本のカメラを面白くした郷愁のブランド展, Exhibition of nostalgic brands that made Japanese cameras interesting). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1997. Exhibition catalogue.

Links

General links

In English:

In Japanese:

Miscellaneous links

In English:

In Japanese:

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