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Post by unclebill on Nov 1, 2006 20:56:28 GMT -5
My dad had a Topcon D-1 which my brother got when the collection was split between us. Anyone here own one? I know the history of Topcon and that they are still in the medical optics business.
I am toying of getting one as dad used one and my brother currently has it.
Bill
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Post by John Parry on Nov 2, 2006 14:40:36 GMT -5
Bill - unless I'm mistaken, I think the Topcon uses Exakta bayonet lenses. There are a lot of the Exakta style lenses around (quality ranges from excellent to execrable!). The metering system on the Topcon was considered top of the range in it's day, but meter elements fail - with all systems.
Why not see if you can borrow the Topcon from your brother and do an evaluation? If you find you like it - then buy one!
Regards - John
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Post by Rachel on Nov 2, 2006 15:49:15 GMT -5
I once had a Topcon Unirex (actually I think I've got it stashed away somewhere) which was the SLR with a leaf shutter and interchangeable front elements. It was a good looking camera but the metering failed eventually. Interestingly it had switchable spot and average metering.
I've heard that their "real" cameras were very good with excellent optics.
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Post by unclebill on Nov 2, 2006 17:18:33 GMT -5
I asked if I could borrow Alex's Topcon however he wants his Fed 2 back. A prisoner exchange perhaps.
Bill
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Nov 3, 2006 5:57:27 GMT -5
LOL, prisoner exchange, I like that. The D-1 like the Super D is an excellent camera, I'm sure you'll like it. As John said, it takes Exakta mount lenses so I'm curious which lens came with yours? I have both the Topcon Uni and Auto 100 and the lenses with these cameras were right up there with anything you can name. Nice glass but a different mount than yours. Hope to see a picture or two with this camera.
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Post by unclebill on Nov 3, 2006 7:02:12 GMT -5
Well, its not a done deal. My brother wants the cameras dad had. He picked up the Leica M2 (I have an M3) and is looking for an early serial number Nikon F with the eyelevel prism (I have that one). Stands to reason at some point I would be looking for a Leica IIIg. The Topcon, however is much more attainable. I have not seen it for a long time so I can't comment, I think its a 58. Alex swears up and down the Topcor glass is really sweet. For me is sentimental value.
Bill
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Post by kiev4a on Nov 3, 2006 13:05:31 GMT -5
The Topcons did use the Exacta mount. They were high end cameras in they time and nice ones still fetch high prices on Ebay.
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Nov 3, 2006 14:06:01 GMT -5
I think I'm correct in saying that, because the Exakta and Topcon have the shutter release button on opposite sides of the camera, when Exakta lenses used on a Topcon they will be upside-down and have their engraved information at the bottom, and vice-versa. I haven't got a Topcon body so I can't try my Exakata lenses on it, but I think I'm correct. Can anyone confirm?
PeterW
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Post by pentaxgraflex on Dec 17, 2006 13:45:25 GMT -5
I use the 200mm F/5.6 Topcor lens on a Exacta IIb and it takes great shots. At Garland Camera in Garland TX ( a suburb of Dallas), the owner used to buy Topcon equipment because he had a guy who would buy everything he had. And don't forget, the US Navy used motorized Topcon Super D's, so they had to be pretty good.
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Post by majicman on Jan 7, 2007 1:15:21 GMT -5
I just bought this Topcon a couple of weeks ago. I gave $13.00 dollars for it. Not sure how old it is, the light meter dosen't seem to work but I have a roll of film in it now. I'll find out soon how it works.   |
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Post by John Farrell on Jan 7, 2007 1:53:16 GMT -5
When I started collecting cameras, one of the first purchases I made was a heap of plastic icecream containers, each containing a dismantled camera. I bought them from a collector who was moving to a smaller house. My wife was appalled! Most of the cameras were Canonets, but among the bits were a number of Topcon SLRs. Unfortunately, they were the lens shutter variety - 3 of them were Wink Mirror Es. I had a go at reassembling these, and got one back together. I could never get the thing to work right, though - if the ring that coordinated the shutter, mirror and diaphragm was lubricated to work correctly, some lube invariably got on the diaphragm blades. After 3 tries, I gave up, and sold the camera as a non working collectible.  |
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Jan 7, 2007 20:15:27 GMT -5
Topcon UNI and Auto 100 are basically the same camera. Both leaf shutter SLR's with aperture fixed to the camera body and component lenses. I have an Aries, Kodak Retina Reflex, Mamiya 528 SL, Contaflex and Ricohflex 126 that are all similar. I personally I love the design but if you get one that's not working there aren't too many repair people who'll work on them. I have pictures from two rolls taken with my UNI that still beat most of my other SLR's hands down. Either I got lucky that day, or Topcon made some really nice lenses. There is plenty of good glass available for these at rock bottom prices. (I'm watching and bidding on three right now).
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tswill2
Contributing Member
Taken when I was young and good looking....
Posts: 13
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Post by tswill2 on Jan 20, 2007 19:48:34 GMT -5
Years ago when I used to repair cameras, I did a few Auto 100s, and considered them dogs from the mechanical viewpoint. The mirror / shutter cocking mechanism was prone to failure. Gear stripping I think, but my memory tends to forget unpleasant details. It's a protection against insanity I belive.  Also, I have a Topcon D1 with 58mm f1.8, and a 135mm f3.5 that I will cheerfully trade for near equal value in Pentax K mount lenses. |
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Post by barrington on Jan 21, 2007 16:01:40 GMT -5
I once bought for the princely sum of £5 a totally mint and unmarked Topcon RIII.That thing was awesome.So much better made than a Nikon F of the same period.Sadly,a few months later,bills piled up and I sold it to a collector in NYC for somewhat more than I paid for it.Thats the one camera out of all that I have owned that I truly regret letting go.I have never seen an RIII since.
If anyone out there has a mint RE Super then please let me know.I would crawl over broken glass to get a good one!
Barrington
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Jan 21, 2007 19:10:02 GMT -5
The RE Super is an impressive camera all the way around. Mine was mint when I got it but now has a barely noticeable depression in that broad, flat topped prism housing. (Arghh).
The RE-2/Beseler D-1 is a camera I want to hunt down. I'm curious if Topcon manufactured it, or had it produced by an outside company.
Bill
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