Tanar lenses

This is a work in progress.

Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica. Picture courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights)

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

The Tanar standard lenses were mostly sold as a set on a Tanack camera body.

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. Tests by the Tanaka company measured a resolution of 80 lines per mm at the centre, and 40 lines at the corners, at an unspecified aperture.

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. (At the period, the 50mm f/3.5 was available separately for ¥6,000.)

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.

Chrome 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). The lens was still listed for ¥6,000 in a document dated Summer 1957. It seems that it was withdrawn from the product line around late 1957 or 1958, and was never made in black finish.

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. Tests by Tanaka measured the same resolution as the f/3.5 lens.

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. At least one example is known to have the distance scale in metres, an unusual feature on a Tanar lens.

Black Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2.8

The f/2.8 lens received a new black and chrome finish, probably simultaneously with the f/2 lens, around early 1957. In mid 1957, the lens was available separately for ¥8,500.

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 59270 to 59692; it is normally found on the late Tanack IV-S. At least one example has the distance scale in metres, perhaps from the same small lot as the chrome example mentioned above.

Late Tanar 5cm f/2.8

To be done.

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. The exact same lens was also supplied to Misuzu Kōgaku for the Alta, under the name Altanon.

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.)

Tests by Tanaka measured a resolution of 70 lines per mm at the centre and 35 lines at the corners, at an unspecified aperture. A comparative test of 35mm rangefinder cameras in Shashin Kōgyō October 1956 says that "whereas the Tanar 5cm f/2 is comparatively little known, the test pictures showed no practical difference with Nikkor or Canon lenses."

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, around early 1957. The earliest document showing the black version is an advertisement dated May 1957; the pictured lens has no.24840. In mid 1957, the f/2 lens was available separately for ¥8,500.

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)

Serial numbers for the black version are known up to 27594. 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.

Tanar 5cm f/1.9

To be done.

Tanar 5cm f/1.8

To be done.

Tanar 5cm f/1.5

To be done.

Other focal lengths

Announce of the Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 and W Tanar 35mm f/3.5, from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

W Tanar 35mm f/3.5

The W Tanar 35mm f/3.5, with five elements in two groups, was announced in Autumn 1955. It is mentioned in the October special issue of Photo Art along with the 135/3.5, but no price is given. A picture appears in the November issue of Shashin Kōgyō, and the price is announced as ¥13,800. The lens appears in advertisements for the Tanack IV-S up to April 1957, and is still mentioned in a magazine dated Summer of the same year.

W Tanar 35mm f/3.5 with finder, in Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

The W Tanar 35mm f/3.5 always has an all chrome barrel, and was certainly only made in Leica mount. The focus ring has eighteen knurls, and has an additional tab with infinity lock. The distance scale is engraved in feet down to 3.5ft. The aperture ring has fine mills and is graduated from 3.5 to 16. The front bezel is black, and the marking is W TANAR 35mm f:3.5 Tanaka Kogaku Japan No.xxxxx (with a red W).

Serial numbers are known from 35002 to 35293; the sequence certainly started at 35001, and the "35" prefix certainly corresponds to the focal length. Total production can be estimated at about 300 units.

W Tanar 35mm f/2.8

In Leica mount

The W Tanar 35mm f/2.8, with six elements in four groups, was announced as a new product in late 1956 and early 1957, at ¥15,800. It was regularly listed along with the 35mm f/3.5 and 13.5cm f/3.5 from February 1957, and displaced the other wide angle lens from May.

The W Tanar 35mm f/2.8 in Leica mount always has a black and chrome barrel: the focus and aperture rings are black, and the lens tip, focus tab and barrel base are chrome. The barrel is physically very similar to that of the 35mm f/3.5: the focus ring and focus tab are the same, and only the aperture ring differs, with many small knurls. The aperture scale goes from 2.8 to 22. The front bezel is inscribed W TANAR 35mm f:2.8 Tanaka Kogaku Japan No.xxxxxx (with W in red).

Serial numbers are known from 283579 to 284468; the sequence plausibly started at 283501, with "2835" indicating the lens features (2.8/35).

In Nikon or Contax mount

The W Tanar 35mm f/2.8 was also made in Nikon S or Contax mount. The difference in the rangefinder adjustment between the two camera families in not critical for wide angle lenses, and the same lenses were sold indifferently for both mounts. The 35mm f/2.8 lens was only listed in Leica mount in a magazine dated Summer 1957, and the Nikon mount version was certainly released later.

The barrel differs from that of the Leica mount version. The focus ring and lens tip are black, whereas the aperture ring and base mount are chrome. The focus ring has a row of fine mills and no focus tab; the distance scale is engraved in feet down to 3ft. The aperture ring has fine mills too, and goes from 2.8 to 22. The inscription on the front bezel is the same as on the Leica mount version. Serial numbers are known from 58543 to 58705. These numbers are curiously overlapping those for the chrome Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2.8; it is not known if duplicate numbers were used.

Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5

Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5, chrome barrel, from Shashin Kōgyō November 1955. (Image rights)

Chrome version (prototype)

The Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5, with four elements in three groups. was announced in Autumn 1955. It is mentioned together with the 35/3.5 in the October special issue of Photo Art, at ¥18,500, and pictured in the November issue of Shashin Kōgyō.

The original picture shows an all chrome barrel. The focus and aperture ring have a row of fine mills, also found at the base of the barrel. The distance scale is engraved in feet, and the aperture scale goes from 3.5 to 22. No surviving example of the chrome version has been observed so far, and the lens was probably not commercially sold in that finish.

Black version

Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 no.14618 for Leica, with hood and caps. Pictures courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights)

The black and chrome version was certainly produced from late 1956 or early 1957. The barrel is physically similar to the chrome version; only the milled parts and the mount itself are chrome, and the rest of the lens is black. The front marking is Tanaka Kogaku Japan TELE–TANAR C. f:3.5 13.5cm N°xxxxx (with a red C.). Serial numbers are known from 13739 to 16858; the sequence maybe started at 13501, with "135" indicating the focal length, for a total production of less than 3,500 lenses.

In Nikon and Contax mounts

Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 no.16446, presumably for Nikon. Picture courtesy of Jay Tepper. (Image rights)

The Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 was also made in Nikon S and Contax mounts. The barrel is normally similar, and the lenses only differ by the mount itself. Those for Contax have a small C at the rear side, absent on the Nikon mount lenses. Sellers easily misdescribe these lenses, and it is advised to ask for the presence of that C letter, which should not be confused with the red C. on the front bezel, for Coating. It has been reported that the Contax-mount lenses do not physically fit the Nikon bodies.

The 13.5cm f/3.5 lens was only listed in Leica mount in a magazine dated Summer 1957, and the Contax and Nikon mount versions were certainly released later. The serial numbers are mixed with those of the Leica mount version. The earliest number found for the Contax or Nikon version is 15201; this is compatible with a late release date in 1957 or 1958.

A slightly different barrel with small knurls instead of fine mills has been observed on an isolated lens presumably in Nikon mount, with the late serial number 16446. This finish was not adopted on the regular Leica mount version, which kept the older barrel until the end.

Other lenses

Tele-Tanar 85/2

The Tele-Tanar 85/2 is mentioned as "available soon" in an article dated November 1955 by Saitō Tomosaburō of the Tanaka company, but nothing emerged in the following months. The project certainly continued for some time, and a 85/2 lens is again mentioned in an advertisement dated 1957 or 1958. That document shows a picture of all the Tanar lenses, including some that were perhaps never sold, but the 85/2 is not on the picture. This certainly indicates that the project was not very advanced, and maybe it did not even reach prototype level.

Tele-Tanar 100/3.5

The Tele-Tanar 100/3.5 is mentioned in the same November 1955 article as the 85/2, also as "available soon", but the lens was not released in the following months. It is listed in the Summer 1957 issue of Shashin Kōgyō, as available for ¥18,500 in Leica mount only. It is also mentioned in the 1957 or 1958 advertisement cited for the 85/2, which gives the same price and has a picture of the lens. The barrel is black and chrome: the aperture ring and base mount are chrome, and the rest of the lens is black. The focus and aperture rings and the barrel base seem to have fine mills, and the lens looks somewhat similar to the 13.5cm f/3.5, except for the colour distribution and size. A few examples of the lens might have been sold, though no surviving one has been observed yet.

Tele-Tanar 135/2.8

The Tele-Tanar 135/2.8 is only mentioned in the 1957 or 1958 advertisement cited above for the 85/2 and 100/3.5. The document gives no price, and shows a picture of the lens. It has a black and chrome barrel: the aperture ring, rear part of the focus ring and base mount are chrome, and the rest is black. The black part of the focus ring has fine knurls, as on the contemporary 5cm f/1.5 or 35mm f/2.8 lenses. No surviving example has been observed yet, and that lens was perhaps never commercially sold.

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 akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine. "Naigai kōkan renzu sōran" (内外交換レンズ総覧, Table and Japanese and foreign interchangeable lenses). Pp.78–9.
• 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.
  • "Naigai hyōjun renzu oyobi kōkan renzu ichiranpyō" (内外標準レンズ及び交換レンズ一覧表, Table of Japanese and foreign standard and interchangeable lenses). Pp.66–7.
• 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. Pp.348–51.
• 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.41, November 1955. "Nyūsu furashu" (ニュースフラシュ, News flash). Pp.331–3.
• 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.
• Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Raika to sekai no Raika-yō renzu" (ライカと世界のライカ用レンズ, Leica and other Leica-mount lenses). In Sekai no Raika renzu (世界のライカレンズ, Leica lenses of the world) Part 1. Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2003. ISBN 4-87956-061-8. Pp.178–88. (Shows an advertisement showing the Tanar lens line, wrongly dated 1955, actually c.1957.)
• 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.
• HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.291–303 and 413.
• 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.
• 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

For the standard lenses, see the links in the pages on Tanack bodies: Tanack 35 to IV-S, Tanack SD and Tanack V3 and VP.

In English:

• 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
• Past sales by LP Foto:
  • W Tanar 35mm f/3.5 for Leica: lot no.293 of auction no.16 (Sep. 8, 2002)
  • Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica: lot no.294 of auction no.16 (Sep. 8, 2002)
  • Tanack 35mm finder: lot no.458 of auction no.17 (Dec. 8, 2002)
  • Tanack 13.5cm finder in lot no.584 of auction no.32 (Mar. 15, 2009)
• 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

In Japanese:

• Tele-Tanar 13.5cm f/3.5 for Leica at Clacamera