Y.K. Optical

Kobalux was a brand name for two wide-angle lenses made by a small company based in Yokohama (Japan) and called Y.K. Optical. They were mainly sold in Leica screw mount, but it is also reported that they existed in Leica M mount. These lenses were also available under other names, such as Avenon (the name used within Japan), Pasoptik, Bower and Adorama, perhaps also Avenar and Komura.

There was a Kobalux Wide 28/3.5 and a Kobalux Super Wide 21/2.8, both in chrome or black finish. Cameraquest tells us that the 21/2.8 existed in at least three variants. The two lenses were sold together with an external finder.

Production stopped in February 2002.

Links

In English:

• Kobalux 21mm and Kobalux 28mm at Cameraquest
• Kobalux lenses at Dante Stella's site
• Pasoptik name variant in a post at photo.net

In German:

• Kobalux lenses at Peter Lausch's site

In Japanese:

• Table of Leica screw mount lenses made after 1980, from Matsumo's camera pages
• Avenon 21mm at Hunaudieres Photo days