Tanar lenses

This is a work in progress.

Tanaka Kōgaku made various Tanar lenses in Leica screw mount for its Tanack cameras, from the Tanack 35, IIIS and IV-S to the SD, V3 and VP. Some of these were also sold in Nikon S mount. It seems that all the Tanar lenses have a straight helical, so that the front part of the barrel does not rotate when focusing.

Standard lenses

It seems that all the Tanar standard lenses were only sold as a set on a Tanack camera body, and were not available separately.

Tanar 50mm f/3.5 and 5cm f/3.5

Scheme of the Tanar 50mm f/3.5, from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

The Tanar 50mm f/3.5 and 5cm f/3.5 have a Tessar formula, with four elements in three groups.

Collapsible Tanar 50mm f/3.5

Tanar 50mm f/3.5 collapsible lens, from the November 1953 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights)

The early examples of the Tanar 50mm f/3.5 have an all chrome collapsible barrel. The focus ring is driven by a tab with infinity lock, and is graduated in feet. The aperture ring is on the side of the front part, and is graduated from 3.5 to 22. The front rim is engraved Tanaka Kogaku TANAR 1:3.5 F=50mm N°xxxxx. The overall finish seems rather poor.

The collapsible Tanar 50mm f/3.5 was the first lens available for the Tanack 35 camera. It appears in documents dated mid to late 1953. The only serial number confirmed so far is 29080.

Rigid Tanar 50mm f/3.5

The later Tanar 50mm f/3.5 have a rigid barrel, already available in March 1954. The lenses made at the time of the Tanack 35 and Tanack IIIS still have 3.5ft minimum distance, and have a single row of mills on the focus ring and aperture ring. Serial numbers are known in the 29xxx range, from 29398 to 29915, certainly continuing the sequence inaugurated with the collapsible version.

Close-focusing Tanar 50mm f/3.5

The close-focusing version was certainly made after the introduction of the Tanack IV-S in early 1955. The minimum distance is 1.5ft; the distances closer to 3.5ft are not coupled to the rangefinder, and the corresponding numbers are engraved in red on the distance scale. The barrel is accordingly modified, with a slightly higher base and a dual row of mills on the focus ring. The aperture ring moves in the reverse direction. The only serial number confirmed so far for the close-focusing version is 31006; it is not known if there was a gap between the 29xxx and 31xxx numbers.

Tanar H.C. 5cm f/3.5

The Tanar H.C. 5cm f/3.5 is an updated version of the close-focusing 50mm f/3.5, retaining the same barrel. It differs by the black front bezel, engraved Tanaka Kogaku Japan TANAR H.C. 1:3.5 F=5cm N°xxxxx, with H.C. in red for Hard Coating. It is not known if the lens was effectively modified with a new form of coating, or if the change was cosmetic only. The first mention of hard coating in the documents is dated November 1955, giving an approximate date for the introduction of this version. The only serial number confirmed so far is 31484, continuing the 31xxx sequence.

The f/3.5 lens was still advertised in mid 1957, but very little were made at the time, because most customers elected the f/2 or f/2.8 versions (the latter with only ¥1,600 premium). A black version of the 5cm f/3.5 might have existed, but none has been observed yet.

Tanar 50mm f/2.8 and 5cm f/2.8

Scheme of the Tanar 50mm f/2.8, from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

The Tanar 50mm f/2.8 and 5cm f/2.8 also have a Tessar formula, with four elements in three groups.

Rigid Tanar 50mm f/2.8

The Tanar 50mm f/2.8 was never made in collapsible mount. The early examples have an all chrome rigid barrel, focusing to 3.5ft, the same as for the rigid Tanar 50mm f/3.5. The aperture scale is engraved from 2.8 to 22, with an intermediate indication for 3.5. The front rim reads Tanaka Kogaku TANAR 1:2.8 F=50mm N°xxxxx.

The lens was released in Spring 1954 for the Tanack 35, and was also mounted on the IIIS. Serial numbers are known in the 45xxx, 46xxx, 52xxx and 87xxx range.

Close-focusing Tanar 50mm f/2.8

The Tanar 50mm f/2.8 was modified with close focusing to 1.5ft, for the release of the Tanack IV-S. The modifications to the barrel are the same as on the 50mm f/3.5, which is physically the same. The aperture ring runs from 2.8 to 22 in the reverse direction, and no longer has the 3.5 indication. Serial numbers for this version are known in the 57xxx range, from 57200 to 57589, and this lens is normally found on the very early Tanack IV-S.

Chrome Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2.8

The f/2.8 lens was updated as the Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2.8, certainly at the same time as the 5cm f/3.5. The barrel is the same and only the front bezel was altered, with Tanaka Kogaku Japan TANAR H.C. 1:3.5 F=5cm N°xxxxx on a black background. Serial numbers for the chrome version are known from 57862 to 58882; this lens is normally found on early to mid-production Tanack IV-S.

Black Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2.8

The f/2.8 lens received a new black and chrome finish at some time, probably simultaneously with the f/2 lens. The lens tip, focus ring and barrel base are black, whereas the aperture ring, focus tab and screw mount remain chrome; the barrel parts themselves are unchanged. Serial numbers for this version are known from 59318 to 59692; it is normally found on the late Tanack IV-S.

Tanar 5cm f/2

Scheme of the Tanar 50mm f/2, from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

The Tanar 5cm f/2 has a Sonnar formula, with six elements in three groups. All the lenses have a rigid barrel. The focus ring has two rows of mills, and is driven by a tab with an infinity lock. The distance scale is engraved in feet down to 1.5ft, with all the distances closer than 3.5ft indicated in red. The aperture ring, at the front, is graduated from 2 to 16.

It is likely that the close-focusing feature was first devised for that lens, which was strongly inspired by the Nikkor-H 5cm f/2 for the Nikon S, also focusing to 1.5ft. (The Steinheil Quinon 50mm f/2 is another example of Sonnar-type lens with close focusing, down to 0.6m.)

Chrome Tanar 5cm f/2 (prototype)

Prototype Tanar 5cm f/2 lenses have the infinity position marked as INF instead of the ∞ symbol, and apparently lack the H.C. marking. One such lens is pictured on the Tanack IV-S no.68575 in the user manual of the camera, and in various original documents from mid 1955 onwards. Its bezel is apparently engraved Tanaka Kogaku TANAR 1:2 F=5cm N°xxxxx, but the marking leaves plenty of spare space on the rim, and might have been retouched. The exact same body is pictured with an apparently different lens in advertisements dated early 1957; the visible part of the bezel seems to read No.65002 TANAR 1:2.

Prototype Tanar 5cm f/2 lenses. Left and middle: from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. Right: from an advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō February 1957. (Image rights)

Chrome Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2

The 5cm f/2 lens was modified for production with an ∞ symbol and a new marking at the front: Tanaka Kogaku Japan TANAR H.C. 1:2 F=5cm N°xxxxx. As for the f/3.5 and f/2.8 lenses, the addition of the red H.C. letters might indicate a new form of hard coating, or might be cosmetic only.

The first half of the production has an all chrome barrel. Serial numbers are confirmed from 22217 to 24444, and this lens normally goes on the first version of the Tanack IV-S, with no film reminder.

Black Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2

The barrel received a black and chrome finish when the Tanack IV-S got a film reminder. The earliest document showing the black version is an advertisement dated May 1957; the pictured lens has no.24840. Serial numbers for the black version are known up to 27594.

Black Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2 no.24840 on a late Tanack IV-S. From an advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō May 1957. (Image rights)

The total production of the 5cm f/2 lens can be estimated at more than 5,500 units, making it the most common of all the Tanar lenses. The same lens was also supplied to Misuzu Kōgaku for the Alta, under the name Altanon.

Bibliography

Original documents

• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Zoku kamera no chishiki (フォトアート臨時増刊・続・カメラの知識, Photo Art special issue: Knowledge of cameras, continued). November 1953, no.58 of the magazine. "Kamera gyararī: Naigai kamera 200-shu tenbō" (カメラギャラリー・内外カメラ200種展望, Camera gallery: panorama of 200 Japanese and foreign cameras). P.86.
• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera no chishiki (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラの知識, Photo Art special issue: Knowledge of cameras). October 1955, no.87 of the magazine. "Kokusan kamera no saiten 1. 35-miri kamera" (国産カメラの祭典・1・35ミリカメラ, Japanese camera festival 1, 35mm cameras). P.78.
• Saitō Tomosaburō (齋藤友三郎), of the Tanaka Kōgaku company. "Tanakku IVS-gata no kaisetsu" (タナックIVS型の解説, Comments on the Tanack IV-S). In Shashin Kōgyō no.41, November 1955.
• Shashin Kōgyō. Advertisements by Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki:
  • no.54, November 1956, p.325;
  • no.56, January 1957, p.6;
  • no.57, February 1957, p.86;
  • no.58, March 1957, p.164;
  • no.59, April 1957, p.250;
  • no.60, May 1957, p.334.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.37, July 1955. "Kokusan 35-miri kamera sōran" (国産35ミリカメラ総らん, Panorama of Japanese 35mm cameras). P.39.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.39, September 1955. "Nyūsu furashu" (ニュースフラシュ, News flash). Pp.183–4.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.52, September 1956. "Kokusan kamera memo" (国産カメラメモ, Memo of Japanese cameras). P.217.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.53, October 1956. "Renzu kōkan-gata kamera go-shu o kentō suru" (レンズ交換型カメラ五種を検討する, Inspecting five cameras with interchangeable lens). Pp.265–9.
• Tanaka Optical Co., Ltd. Tanack Type IVS with "Tanar" lens, Direction for using. User manual of the Tanack IV-S. Reproduced in this page by Patrick Badaire and in this page by Stephen @ Lee.

Recent sources

• 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. Items 585–8 and 1337–9.
• Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Kokusan Barunakku-gata kamera: Tanakku" (国産バルナック型カメラ・タナック, Japanese Leica-type cameras: Tanack). In 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.37, March 1996. No ISBN number. Leica Book '96 (ライカブック'96). Pp.52–5.
• HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.291–303 and 413.
• Hattori Yutaka (服部豊). "Tanakku SD" (タナックSD, Tanack SD). In 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.45, March 1998. ISBN 4-257-13014-8. Sekai no Raika-gata kamera (世界のライカ型カメラ, Leica-like cameras of the world). Pp.24–5.
• Kawamura Yukimasa (川村幸正). "Tanakku IV-S" (タナックIV-S, Tanack IV-S). In 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.45, March 1998. ISBN 4-257-13014-8. Sekai no Raika-gata kamera (世界のライカ型カメラ, Leica-like cameras of the world). Pp.22–3.
• McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.914. (Shows Tanar 5cm lenses on Tanack cameras.)
• Pont, P.-H., and Princelle, J.-L. 300 Leica Copies. Neuilly: Fotosaga, 1990. ISBN 2-906840-03-3. Pp.246–9.
• Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "Nippon Kamera" (ニッポンカメラ, Nippon Camera). Pp.17–26 of Maboroshi no kamera o otte (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. ISBN 4-257-08077-9. (First published in Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review no.2, February 1978.) Contains an interview of Kumagai Genji, mentioning the Tanack as made by a former employee.
• Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 3763–7. (Shows Tanar 50mm and 5cm lenses on Tanack cameras.)
• Teranishi Jirō (寺西二郎). "Tanakku VP" (タナックVP, Tanack VP). In 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.45, March 1998. ISBN 4-257-13014-8. Sekai no Raika-gata kamera (世界のライカ型カメラ, Leica-like cameras of the world). Pp.26–7.

Links

• Past sales by Westlicht:
  • W-Tanar 35mm f/2.8 for Leica: lot no.374 of auction no.11 (May 26, 2007)
  • W-Tanar 35mm f/2.8 for Nikon: lot no.510 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
  • Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica, among other lenses: lot no.376 of auction no.11 (May 26, 2007)
  • Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica, among other lenses: lot no.299 of auction no.13 (June 7, 2008)
  • Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Nikon: lot no.268 of auction no.4 (November 22, 2003)
• Past sales by Christies (with pictures):
  • W-Tanar 35mm f/2.8 and Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica: lot no.147 of the October 18, 2000 sale
• Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica in lot no.786 of the May 20, 2006 auction by Auction Team Breker
• Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica in lot no.5 of the May 6, 2006 auction by Tamarkin