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 in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]]:<REF> These lenses are mentioned here and there in photo forums as being in [[Leica M lenses|Leica M mount]], but it seems that they were only sold in screw mount, with an adapter offered as an option. </REF> 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> | '''Y.K. Optical''' was a small company based in Yokohama (Japan). It used the brand names '''Kobalux''' and '''Avenon''' for two wide-angle lenses in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]]:<REF> These lenses are mentioned here and there in photo forums as being in [[Leica M lenses|Leica M mount]], but it seems that they were only sold in screw mount, with an adapter offered as an option. </REF> 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> | ||
| − | + | Production stopped in February 2002.<REF> See [http://web.archive.org/web/20021120100953/http://www.kobalux.com/ the 20 November 2002 web archive of the Kobalux website]. </REF> | |
| − | + | == Kobalux Wide 28/3.5 == | |
| + | The Kobalux Wide 28/3.5, alias Avenon L 28/3.5, has six elements in four groups.<REF> Lens scheme in "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu". See also the [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/pagef81.htm table of Leica screw mount lenses by Matsumo]. </REF> The first generation, released in 1982 or 1983, was sold in black or chrome finish and became multicoated in 1992 (some lenses are inscribed ''AVENON MC'').<REF> "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu" (saying 1983) and [http://matsumo-web.hp.infoseek.co.jp/camera/pagef81.htm table of Leica screw mount lenses by Matsumo] (saying 1983). </REF> It has a round focusing tab and a six-blade diaphragm and focuses down to 1 metre.<REF> "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu". </REF> The second generation, or "M-series", was sold in black with a silver rim. It has a crescent-shaped focusing tab, an eight-blade diaphragm, grip tabs on the aperture ring and it focuses down to 0.75m.<REF> [http://web.archive.org/web/20020405224906/www.kobalux.com/k28-2.html Kobalux M-series 28mm f/3.5] in the Kobalux website, web archive dated 9 August 2002. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lens was supplied with two caps and a metal hood; an external brightline finder and an M-mount adapter were available separately.<REF> [http://web.archive.org/web/20020405224906/www.kobalux.com/k28-2.html Kobalux M-series 28mm f/3.5] in the Kobalux website, web archive dated 9 August 2002. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8 == | ||
| + | The Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, alias Avenon L 21/2.8, was sold in chrome or black finish. The [http://www.cameraquest.com/koba21.htm Cameraquest page] tells us that it existed in at least three variants. It was sold together with an external finder (also available separately). | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Bibliography == | ||
| + | * "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu" (アベノンのライカマウントレンズ, Avenon Leica mount lenses). {{KKS041}} P. 83. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
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* [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] | ||
* [http://hunau.exblog.jp/tags/AVENON+SUPER+WIDE+21mm/ Avenon 21mm] at [http://hunau.exblog.jp/ Hunaudieres Photo days] | * [http://hunau.exblog.jp/tags/AVENON+SUPER+WIDE+21mm/ Avenon 21mm] at [http://hunau.exblog.jp/ Hunaudieres Photo days] | ||
| + | * [http://www.cielworks.com/sd9/source/landmcm/avenon21/avenon21.html Avenon 21mm] and [http://www.cielworks.com/sd9/source/landmcm/avenon28/avenon28.html Avenon 28mm] at [http://www.cielworks.com/sd9/ Cielworks Photo Garage] | ||
| + | * [http://ferix.cocolog-nifty.com/range/2004/04/avenon_28mm_f35.html Avenon 28mm] at [http://ferix.cocolog-nifty.com/range/ Rangefinder Principle] | ||
[[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | [[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | ||
Revision as of 15:27, 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 in Leica screw mount:[1] 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,[2] Bower and Adorama, perhaps also Avenar.[3] The existence of a "Komura" name variant is probably a false rumour.[4]
Production stopped in February 2002.[5]
Kobalux Wide 28/3.5
The Kobalux Wide 28/3.5, alias Avenon L 28/3.5, has six elements in four groups.[6] The first generation, released in 1982 or 1983, was sold in black or chrome finish and became multicoated in 1992 (some lenses are inscribed AVENON MC).[7] It has a round focusing tab and a six-blade diaphragm and focuses down to 1 metre.[8] The second generation, or "M-series", was sold in black with a silver rim. It has a crescent-shaped focusing tab, an eight-blade diaphragm, grip tabs on the aperture ring and it focuses down to 0.75m.[9]
The lens was supplied with two caps and a metal hood; an external brightline finder and an M-mount adapter were available separately.[10]
Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8
The Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, alias Avenon L 21/2.8, was sold in chrome or black finish. The Cameraquest page tells us that it existed in at least three variants. It was sold together with an external finder (also available separately).
Notes
- ↑ These lenses are mentioned here and there in photo forums as being in Leica M mount, but it seems that they were only sold in screw mount, with an adapter offered as an option.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Lens scheme in "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu". See also the table of Leica screw mount lenses by Matsumo.
- ↑ "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu" (saying 1983) and table of Leica screw mount lenses by Matsumo (saying 1983).
- ↑ "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu".
- ↑ Kobalux M-series 28mm f/3.5 in the Kobalux website, web archive dated 9 August 2002.
- ↑ Kobalux M-series 28mm f/3.5 in the Kobalux website, web archive dated 9 August 2002.
Bibliography
- "Abenon no raika-maunto renzu" (アベノンのライカマウントレンズ, Avenon Leica mount lenses). 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.41, March 1997. ISBN 4-257-13008-3. Tokushū: R-gata Raika no subete (特集：R型ライカのすべて, special issue on the Leica R). P. 83.
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:
