Difference between revisions of "Y.K. Optical"
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| − | '''Y.K. Optical''' was a small company based in Yokohama (Japan). It used the brand names '''Kobalux''' and '''Avenon''' for two wide-angle lenses: Kobalux seems to have been the predominant name in north America, and Avenon the only name within Japan. The lenses were also available under other names, such as '''Pasoptik''',<REF> See a picture in [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DbeD this page at photo.net]. </REF> '''Bower''' and '''Adorama''', perhaps also '''Avenar'''<REF> This is reported in [http://www.lausch.com/kobalux.htm this page by Peter Lausch]. </REF> | + | '''Y.K. Optical''' was a small company based in Yokohama (Japan). It used the brand names '''Kobalux''' and '''Avenon''' for two wide-angle lenses: Kobalux seems to have been the predominant name in north America, and Avenon the only name within Japan. The lenses were also available under other names, such as '''Pasoptik''',<REF> See a picture in [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DbeD this page at photo.net]. </REF> '''Bower''' and '''Adorama''', perhaps also '''Avenar.'''<REF> This is reported in [http://www.lausch.com/kobalux.htm this page by Peter Lausch]. </REF> The existence of a "[[Komura]]" name variant is probably a false rumour.<REF> See however [http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Bessa_RF.html this page by Frank Mechelhoff]. [http://forum.contax-club.org/viewtopic.php?p=152328&sid=629d97c98432bddfe9d29c10b8274018 This page of a Hong-Kong forum] copies an erroneous earlier version of this very Camerapedia page. </REF> |
There was a Kobalux Wide 28/3.5 and a Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, both in chrome or black finish. They were mainly sold in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]], but it is also reported<!-- where? --> that they existed in [[Leica M lenses|Leica M mount]]. The [http://www.cameraquest.com/koba21.htm Cameraquest page] tells us that the 21/2.8 existed in at least three variants. The two lenses were sold together with an external finder (also available separately). | There was a Kobalux Wide 28/3.5 and a Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, both in chrome or black finish. They were mainly sold in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]], but it is also reported<!-- where? --> that they existed in [[Leica M lenses|Leica M mount]]. The [http://www.cameraquest.com/koba21.htm Cameraquest page] tells us that the 21/2.8 existed in at least three variants. The two lenses were sold together with an external finder (also available separately). | ||
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* [http://www.dantestella.com/technical/kobalux.html Kobalux lenses] at [http://www.dantestella.com/ Dante Stella's site] | * [http://www.dantestella.com/technical/kobalux.html Kobalux lenses] at [http://www.dantestella.com/ Dante Stella's site] | ||
* [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DbeD Pasoptik name variant] in a post at [http://photo.net/ photo.net] | * [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DbeD Pasoptik name variant] in a post at [http://photo.net/ photo.net] | ||
| + | * [http://forum.contax-club.org/viewtopic.php?p=152328&sid=629d97c98432bddfe9d29c10b8274018 Post about the history of YK] in a Hong-Kong forum | ||
In German: | In German: | ||
* [http://www.lausch.com/kobalux.htm Kobalux lenses] at [http://www.lausch.com/ Peter Lausch's site] | * [http://www.lausch.com/kobalux.htm Kobalux lenses] at [http://www.lausch.com/ Peter Lausch's site] | ||
| + | * [http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Bessa_RF.html#Kobalux_Avenon Avenon 21mm] at [http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/index.html Frank Mechelhoff's site] | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
* [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/pagef81.htm Table of Leica screw mount lenses made after 1980], from [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/index-f.htm Matsumo's camera pages] | * [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/pagef81.htm Table of Leica screw mount lenses made after 1980], from [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/index-f.htm Matsumo's camera pages] | ||
Revision as of 14:40, 5 May 2007
Y.K. Optical was a small company based in Yokohama (Japan). It used the brand names Kobalux and Avenon for two wide-angle lenses: Kobalux seems to have been the predominant name in north America, and Avenon the only name within Japan. The lenses were also available under other names, such as Pasoptik,[1] Bower and Adorama, perhaps also Avenar.[2] The existence of a "Komura" name variant is probably a false rumour.[3]
There was a Kobalux Wide 28/3.5 and a Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, both in chrome or black finish. They were mainly sold in Leica screw mount, but it is also reported that they existed in Leica M mount. The Cameraquest page tells us that the 21/2.8 existed in at least three variants. The two lenses were sold together with an external finder (also available separately).
Production stopped in February 2002.[4]
Notes
- ↑ See a picture in this page at photo.net.
- ↑ This is reported in this page by Peter Lausch.
- ↑ See however this page by Frank Mechelhoff. This page of a Hong-Kong forum copies an erroneous earlier version of this very Camerapedia page.
- ↑ See the 20 November 2002 web archive of the Kobalux website.
Links
In English:
- Kobalux website (web archive version dated 9 August 2002) and announcement of the lenses being discontinued (web archive version dated 20 November 2002)
- Kobalux 21mm and Kobalux 28mm at Cameraquest
- Kobalux lenses at Dante Stella's site
- Pasoptik name variant in a post at photo.net
- Post about the history of YK in a Hong-Kong forum
In German:
In Japanese:
