Mr Woo discusses the TOPCON “Tokyo Optical Company “ The A10 of SLR’s

[@steveh1792]

At one point in the early 70's, having owned a couple Exakta VX1000's and lenses for them, I got a Topcon Super Dm, in part because I could mount my Exakta mount lenses on it. I used it for a couple years, and the Topcon lenses were excellent, and the light meter through the mirror worked very well, too.

[@Democratiser]

I’m loving this series of interviews with Mr Woo. He is a legend!

[@donaldlampert331]

Thank you both for this nice overview, of a very often forgotten gem! Long live Topcon cameras!

[@realnikonlover6207]

This is real good history. Bessler I had heard of but TopCon I had not heard of. Mr. Woo thanks for sharing your collection and knowledge. - Jim

[@elguapo5620]

Great series. Thank you John and Mr Woo. I have the Super DM with motor drive. I think its time to give that old beast a spin and put a fresh roll of film through it.

[@michaelcase8574]

A guy brought into the camera shop and just gave us his Topcon camera. It had a huge dent in the prism. We called it our Dropcon! But it still worked fine! Bessler used to be best known in the US for their Enlargers. There is a video post on utube where a fellow duplicated the exact Exacta camera and long lens type as in the movie Rear Window. Thanks Mr. Woo!!

[@Photojouralist123]

Can’t kill it US Navy used it for years

[@janw.jensen2490]

And if you want to see TOPCON used in a movie, try A PART TIME WIFE with Keenan Wynn and Judith Brown.

[@roybixby6135]

More great cameras - and I even love the Bellows ...

[@ahoyhere8113]

Wonderful! So kind of him to share his knowledge and thank you for doing this excellent interview.

[@johnbarber1824]

There is a KZbinr somewhere who did a very thorough and quite crazy forensic analysis of the Jimmy Stewart Exacta and put together the exact thing.

[@geraldillo]

I never heard of Guide number lenses before, very interesting!

[@ianwilkinson4602]

The FIRSTFLEX slr made by Tokiwa Seiki Company was the first to use the "Exakta"mount in 1955.

[@d.r.martin6301]

My first 35mm camera as a teenager was a Topcon Auto 100. Fixed lens, if I recall correctly. I learned a lot with that camera, then I moved up to a Canon TL.

[@sdhute]

These are amazing. Any chance Mr woo will talk about Pentax ?

[@Photojouralist123]

Ah ha good question 🙋 and it’s in the pipeline

[@jeremyrichards8327]

I wasn't aware that Topcon used an Exacta mount.

[@duncanrae7504]

The Topcon UV range is very good too .

[@hartgetzen7867]

I think Topcon also provided periscope optics to the USN.

[@trevorroberts-o7q]

I know I can use my Exakta lenses on the Topcon caneras ( I don't own a Topcon ) but I recently acquired two Topcon manufactured lenses in very good condition and don't want to damage any of my Exaktas . The settings and couplings on the Topcons seem more recessed whereas the Exaktas have an external shutter release monted on the lens if they are automatic. Is there any way to use the Topcons without damage to either body or lens ? Help please. Once again a brilliant talk by Mr. Woo ; he is so knowledgable and enthusiastic.

[@KienPingWoo]

The Topcon lenses have couplings for aperture control and metering, so it will not Exaktas. However since Exakta lenses have no such couplings except external diaphragm plunger, it will fit Topcon cameras

[@trevorroberts-o7q]

Thank you so very much Mr. Woo.That is really helpful information. As the lenses are in such excellent condition I will see if I can find a working Topcon. So far I've only seen one for sale but someone had removed the meter cell. @@KienPingWoo

[@KienPingWoo]

I found that if you can get hold of an exa/ exakta to Leica M adaptor, use use your Topcon lens on a Leica M on live view. Even if you do not have a Leica M , you can still piggy back another adaptor from Leica M to many of the mirrorless cameras be it Fuji, canon R, Nikon Z, Sony E, micro 4/3. Topcon lenses are really good. Being on a mirrorless set up the linkages for aperture, etc do not matter.I use mine on a exa to M then to SL to either SL or Leica T.

[@NRecob]

05:16 The U.S. Navy wanted a camera for work....And Topcon won the bid. So the Topcon was the camera in the U.S. Navy. " I remember them--in the Navy we called them "Slopcons".

[@ianwilkinson4602]

They didn't win the contract on merit but on cheapest price.

[@dazdragon445]

Very cool!

[@jameslong1540]

Do you know anyone that can repair the Topcon camera.

[@Photojouralist123]

Here where I stay yes I do but in the US I don’t