Zuiko 4cm f/3.5 for Exakta

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Zuiko C. 4cm f/3.5 no.62xxx, Exakta mount, manual diaphragm.
Pictures courtesy of Scott at www.collectiblecameras.com. (Image rights)

The only lens made by Olympus in Exakta mount is the Zuiko 4cm f/3.5, of which three versions are known. It was probably the same as the lens of the Olympus 35. At about the same period, Olympus was also selling a Zuiko 4cm f/2.8 for Leica.

Three versions are known: one has manual diaphragm and a brass barrel rotating with the focusing ring, another has manual diaphragm and a straight brass barrel, and the third has preset diaphragm and a straight aluminium barrel. The chronology of these three versions is unclear. It would seem logical that the lens was gradually improved by the adoption of a non-rotating front barrel, then of a preset diaphragm. However at least one source says that the aluminium version predates the more common brass version, on the basis of the lens numbers and poorer finish,[1] and the observed range of numbers seem to imply that the rotating brass version came after the straight one.

The early version has an aluminium barrel and a preset diaphragm. The focusing ring goes down to 2ft, and the front barrel does not rotate when focusing. The aperture ring moves along an index on the black front rim, and has a moving tab on the rear for aperture preselection. The marking on the lens bezel reads Olympus Zuiko F.C. 1:3,5 f=4cm in white on a black background, where F.C. stands for Full Coated, indicating that all the elements are coated. Only two examples of the early version have been seen so far.[2]

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Case for the Zuiko 4cm f/3.5 lens in Exakta mount. Picture courtesy of Pacific Rim Camera. (Image rights)

The middle version has an all-chrome brass barrel and a manual diaphragm. The focusing ring goes down to 3ft, and is engraved MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom. The front part of the lens barrel does not rotate when focusing, and the aperture ring moves along an index on the chrome front rim. The marking on the lens bezel is Olympus Zuiko C. 1:3,5 f=4cm No.xxxxx, in white on a black background. Various examples are known, all with a lens number in the 62xxx range, immediately follows the 60xxx and 61xxx batch allotted to the Zuiko 4cm f/2.8 for Leica.[3] The front and rear caps are all chrome, and the front cap is stamped with the OLYMPUS OIC logo, which was used by the company from 1949 to 1953. The leather case also has the same logo on the top cover, and MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN on the underside.

The late version is made of chromed brass and has a manual diaphragm too. The lens barrel is slightly shorter and the front barrel rotates when the focusing ring is turned. The aperture ring only has an index moving along an aperture scale engraved on the focusing ring. The marking on the lens bezel is the same as on the middle version. Only two examples have been seen so far, one of them having a lens number in the 224xxx range.[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ See this page of Kensetsu's camera collection.
  2. ↑ Example pictured in "Orinpasu renzu hoi", p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.20, and example pictured in this page at Kensetsu's camera collection.
  3. ↑ Known numbers: 62059, 62163, 62221, 62333, 62432, 62441 and 62459 (observed in online auctions, for sale by dealers and in the links below).
  4. ↑ Example pictured in "Orinpasu renzu hoi", p.81 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.20, and example offered for sale by a dealer (lens no.224006).

Bibliography

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

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