Difference between revisions of "Topcon 35"

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(about the Topcon 35A, still a bit dodgy)
(→‎Evolution: small rewording)
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=== Evolution ===
 
=== Evolution ===
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Minor variations have been observed in the examples of the Topcon 35. Some have a lens engraved ''f=4cm'' and others have a lens engraved ''f=4.2cm''. Some have a heavy accessory shoe and others have a thinner one. There are variations in the body release too: some have a screw thread sometimes receiving a small milled part, others have a cup surrounding the release button. This cup itself exists in two minor variations.
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The only major change that occurred during the production of the Topcon 35A was the switch from the Toko 4cm f/3.5 standard lens to the Topcor 4.2cm f/3.5. In addition to this, other minor variations have been observed. Most examples have a heavy accessory shoe but others have a thinner one. There are variations in the body release too: some have a screw thread sometimes receiving a small milled part, others have a cup surrounding the release button. This cup itself exists in two minor variations.
  
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The camera was released in autumn 1953.<REF> The earliest occurrence listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;355, is in the new products column of ''Asahi Camera'' September 1953. </REF> An advertisement dated December 1956<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF> simply gives the name "Topcon 35" (トプコン35) and mentions no price. The camera is pictured with the thick accessory shoe and the body release cup. The lens is a 40mm Toko, presumably with three elements, and the 80mm tele lens is not yet mentioned. One year later, in November 1954<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the price of the camera was {{yen|16,500|1954}}. The Topcor 80/5.6 tele lens was described as having five elements and it was listed for {{yen|13,000|1954}}.
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The camera was released in autumn 1953.<REF> The earliest occurrence listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;355, is in the new products column of ''Asahi Camera'' September 1953. </REF> It probably corresponds to the [[Minion 35#The Minion 35E|Minion 35E]] that was announced in early 1953 but never sold, and whose description is similar except for the top speed. An advertisement dated December 1956<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF> simply calls the camera "Topcon 35" (トプコン35) and gives no price. The advertising picture shows the thick accessory shoe and the body release cup. The lens is a 40mm Toko, presumably with three elements, and the 80mm tele lens is not yet mentioned. One year later, in November 1954<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the price of the camera was {{yen|16,500|1954}}. The Topcor 80/5.6 tele lens was described as having five elements and it was listed for {{yen|13,000|1954}}.
  
 
In January 1955<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the standard lens has become a Topcor 42/3.5, described as having four elements. The rest of the features, the aspect of the body and the prices are unchanged. In August of the same year<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the price has decreased to {{yen|14,000|1955}} and the price of the tele lens to {{yen|9,000|1955}}. The Topcon 35B is already present but the camera is still called "Topcon 35". In November<REF> Advertisement published in ''Shashin Salon'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the viewfinder model is called Topcon 35A (トプコン35A). The 35A was still featured in a catalogue also showing the [[Topcon 35-S, L and JL|Topcon 35-S]], certainly dated 1956.<REF> Tōkyō Kōgaku catalogue certainly dating 1956, reproduced in [http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/topconclub/present5/present5d.htm this page of the Topcon Club website]. </REF>
 
In January 1955<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the standard lens has become a Topcor 42/3.5, described as having four elements. The rest of the features, the aspect of the body and the prices are unchanged. In August of the same year<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the price has decreased to {{yen|14,000|1955}} and the price of the tele lens to {{yen|9,000|1955}}. The Topcon 35B is already present but the camera is still called "Topcon 35". In November<REF> Advertisement published in ''Shashin Salon'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;151. </REF>, the viewfinder model is called Topcon 35A (トプコン35A). The 35A was still featured in a catalogue also showing the [[Topcon 35-S, L and JL|Topcon 35-S]], certainly dated 1956.<REF> Tōkyō Kōgaku catalogue certainly dating 1956, reproduced in [http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/topconclub/present5/present5d.htm this page of the Topcon Club website]. </REF>

Revision as of 00:21, 13 January 2007

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The Topcon 35A and Topcon 35B are 35mm cameras with an interchangeable lens, made between 1953 and 1956 by Tōkyō Kōgaku.[1] They were the successors of the Minion 35 series and they were the first cameras to have the name "Topcon".

The Topcon 35A

Description

The Topcon 35 or Topcon 35A is a viewfinder-only model. It has a rounded body, shaped like the Minion 35 but higher. The back is removable together with the bottom plate for film loading. It is locked in place by two keys under the camera. The top plate supports the tubular viewfinder in the middle, the advance knob and exposure counter at the right end and the rewind knob at the left end. Next to the advance knob, there is the body release and the rewind unlock lever with A and R settings. There is also an accessory to the left of the viewfinder. The name Topcon and the serial number are engraved in front of the accessory shoe.

A rectangular metal plate is screwed to the front of the body and surrounds the lens and shutter assembly. The shutter is a Copal giving B, 1–300 speeds. It has a self-timer and it is synchronized for flash, via a connector situated at the bottom of the rectangular front plate. The connection between the advance knob and the cocking lever is externally visible above the shutter housing. The standard lens has f/3.5 maximal aperture. It is screwed to the front of the shutter and it is interchangeable.

Evolution

The only major change that occurred during the production of the Topcon 35A was the switch from the Toko 4cm f/3.5 standard lens to the Topcor 4.2cm f/3.5. In addition to this, other minor variations have been observed. Most examples have a heavy accessory shoe but others have a thinner one. There are variations in the body release too: some have a screw thread sometimes receiving a small milled part, others have a cup surrounding the release button. This cup itself exists in two minor variations.

The camera was released in autumn 1953.[2] It probably corresponds to the Minion 35E that was announced in early 1953 but never sold, and whose description is similar except for the top speed. An advertisement dated December 1956[3] simply calls the camera "Topcon 35" (トプコン35) and gives no price. The advertising picture shows the thick accessory shoe and the body release cup. The lens is a 40mm Toko, presumably with three elements, and the 80mm tele lens is not yet mentioned. One year later, in November 1954[4], the price of the camera was ¥16,500. The Topcor 80/5.6 tele lens was described as having five elements and it was listed for ¥13,000.

In January 1955[5], the standard lens has become a Topcor 42/3.5, described as having four elements. The rest of the features, the aspect of the body and the prices are unchanged. In August of the same year[6], the price has decreased to ¥14,000 and the price of the tele lens to ¥9,000. The Topcon 35B is already present but the camera is still called "Topcon 35". In November[7], the viewfinder model is called Topcon 35A (トプコン35A). The 35A was still featured in a catalogue also showing the Topcon 35-S, certainly dated 1956.[8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 355.
  2. ↑ The earliest occurrence listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 355, is in the new products column of Asahi Camera September 1953.
  3. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 151.
  4. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 151.
  5. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 151.
  6. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 151.
  7. ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Salon, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 151.
  8. ↑ Tōkyō Kōgaku catalogue certainly dating 1956, reproduced in this page of the Topcon Club website.

Bibliography

  • 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. Items 621–2.
  • 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. 925.
  • 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 3794–6.

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

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