Topcon RE Super D Camera: Review and History!

This week's feature is the Topcon RE Super, otherwise known in the US as the Beseler Super D. It's such a great camera, with their high quality Topcor lenses and then at the same time a tragic story. In the "only the strong survive" camera industry, Tokyo Kogaku didn't and I'll explain why.
This is the first of a new feature on my channel, vintage camera history and review. Every week or so I plan to highlight a brand or model of camera, dive into some history and then review that camera itself. If you are new to my channel, the main focus is Audio gear, but camera gear pre 1970 is also a passion of mine. Mainly from the 1950's and early 1960's.
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[@steveborghardt]

Out of all the folks that have put out videos on the Topcon cameras you are the only one that properly explained what the practical drawbacks were. Makes total sense why they failed - it wasnt just the lack of marketing - it was the smaller than normal glass at the lens mount. Thanks for a great video. That said a few days ago I picked up a mint Topcon Beleler Unirex with 4 lenses for well under $200. I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs.

[@RockPaperMario]

Thank you for the video! Topcon RE Super has actually been my main SLR and couldn't be happier that that accidentally happened. Didn't know anything about them at the time but after using this tank of a camera and experiencing the absolutely beautiful glass Topcon really feels slept on. They did a couple of really nice lenses specifically for use on macro bellows with no helicoid focussing which are gorgeous. I can't believe I didn't realise you can use Series IX filters with the beautifull 25mm. I've been using the fiddly tiny rear orange filter that awkwardly bayonets onto the rear element. Thank you for the video!

[@ralphthomas2471]

Great video. When I bought my first serious camera I considered the Topcon but went with the Nikon F instead. Both built like tanks. Many thanks for another fine video.

[@peterlundskow4061]

Thanks for starting on your cameras. I haven't seen a Topcon since the 1970's! I always thought it was a very cool looking camera. I look forward to other videos!

[@jufegom]

Muy buen video, gracias por subirlo.

[@KeritechElectronics]

Things of beauty, joy for ever! Obviously great though underrated stuff, perfect simplicity with excellent engineering. While I'm mainly interested in tube amps, I absolutely love seeing you branch out and make camera related content.

[@coreyostman]

Thank you so much for this fun video about the history of Topcon. I didn't realize that Beseler sold this camera, all the Beseler I had were enlargers.

[@howardsandler7175]

Great video. Topcon is also known for their Topcor lenses made for Horseman view cameras, which I think may even still be in production.

[@throtol]

Great presentation of the Topcon Super D. I rekindled my interest in 35mm film with this camera. I was able to pick one up that was used by newsphotograher to cover the war in Vietnam. These cameras are built like tanks. It is worth noting that it superceded the RE Super and was replaced by the Super DM. Topcon also produced a line of amateur hobbyist cameras that did not use the Exacta mount, but a lesser UV mount that may be picked up inexpensively. The Topcon Exacta line of cameras existed until around 1980. Ironically that was about the time when consumer photography took off. A great camera for film.

[@howtomoderate]

My neighbor just gave me this camera. Very interesting to hear about its history.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

They are super well made!

[@dannyruth9925]

Good video! It reminds me of when I used a 35mm body mounted on a 10 inch aperture f4.5 telescope at prime focus with a home made drive for astrophotography. It was a lot of tinkering and a lot of fun. I hope you keep doing the camera videos.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks for sharing!

[@alterrex4463]

Loved the video! Very interesting! There is synergy between the tube and camera stuff!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kjltube]

Very interesting, love the lenses in particular

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

They are!

[@figgymoonpowda]

I just learned a ton. thank you!

[@blackjackshellac5022]

Thanks for all of the information! I'm here because I've become obsessed with waist-level finders, but have no ambition to carry a camera larger than a Barnack Leica or an OM. So I have an Exa kit on the way. In the meantime, I've been reading about how renowned the Topcor 50 1.4 is, so I had planned on looking for one. However, I've been reading some conflicting info about Exakta vs. Topcon mounts. Will a Topcor 50 1.4 (or the 50 1.8 which you prefer) actually mount and work on my Exa?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I just tried to mount one on my Exakta Varex and it won't fit.

[@savovuksanovic2976]

Thank you for your video... You didn't mention, that you can change focus window under the prism. The metering window on top of the camera is mostly there for waist level finder and that it have aperture check knob on the left side of the camera, near the lens. With updated version they add lock knob for shutting button and a knob for locking the mirror. I have two of them and it's definitely the best SLR fu**ing camera of 60's... Also, it's really a joy and great satisfaction to use it. The building quality, lenses, design, everything is perfect, except the lens mount... So, it's pretty bad that they didn't update the same camera with a wider lens mount and in that case it'll be totally perfection with no camera to compete! And you don't need any electronics automation and similar things. ;))

[@nudebaboon4874]

Interesting vid thanks!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Glad you liked it!

[@stevelangworthy9553]

I like me some vintage optics gear 🙂

[@cobar5342]

I love the Sawyers

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

They are a real Jewel of a camera.

[@mddawson1]

I believe Canon had a f0.95 50mm lens but it had a ridiculously shallow depth of field at full aperture.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

But the marketing usefulness having that sort of Halo product is real.

[@eastwestphoto6317]

For 1973, it had no competition. By 1976 that wasn't true, much competition developed. It wasn't necessarily mechcanism, it was electronic components, getting smaller. They made some prototypes with Cima Kogaku, but designs weren't good enough.

[@RobertKohut]

Interesting... 🙂

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Glad you think so!

[@eggshellskullrule7971]

Decware Zen ufo! I’m awaiting my pair!