The following table shows prices for comparable 35mm, SLR, camera/lens combinations (I include the Leica M4 rangefinder just for fun). These prices are from the 1972 Universal Suppliers catalog, a Hong Kong based company that sold cameras world wide through mail order. The Hong Kong prices usually ran about half of the USA Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices.

I find this information interesting because it illustrates how Topcon  compared, price wise, with its better known rivals. And also the value the market placed on the individual equipment.

I chose to make the caparison based the high-end models with an f/1.4, or fastest available, normal lens.

The vintage (1972) of this price information is fortuitous since it covers the time when Nikon, Canon and Topcon were introducing new models. So for these three manufacturers, the prices of both the old models and new models are available.

In the case of Topcon, newly re-designed Model 71 is presented along with the old Model 46.

Topcon made two versions, or generations, of the Super Dm; the first version is the more common while the last variation signaled the end for the venerable RE Super/Super D line. Also, the last version was produced in very limited quantity and is thus quite rare.

Of course, the serial numbers are the most obvious means of identification: 720XXXX or 721XXXX for the first version and 722XXXX for the last. But since the upper deck where the serial number is engraved can be replaced, two other attributes can aid identification.

The first difference is the design of the Motor Drive coupling disk, The second, a change of the raised band that runs across the top front of the mirror box.

The upper image, at the left, is that of the Motor Drive coupling of the first version. It still retains the two notches on opposite sides of the disk to catch the pins on the Motor Drive drive shaft. This design remained unchanged from the first Model 46 in 1963.

For the last version, the notches have been opened up and the counter-clockwise edge is now sloped. Finally, Topcon corrected the aggravating problem of mounting the Motor Drive. The pins on the Motor Drive are spring loaded and are intended to retract until the pins and the notches align. Many times, when mounting a Motor Drive, the pins do not retract far enough and instead gouge into drive disk on the body. In this condition, the film advance does operate; but, the body will wobble as the film is advanced. This last design is supposed to prevent this.

On all Topcon RE Super/Super D cameras there is a raised band that runs across the top of the mirror box, just below the front edge of the pentaprism. This band looks decorative, but it's real purpose is the front guide for the floating pulley that is part of the exposure measurement system.

Looking down on the top of the mirror box, with the pentaprism removed, the upper image shows the first version. Note that the ends of this raised band have abrupt, or stepped ends. The bottom image is that of the second version, the ends are tapered; no step, now a ramp..

I can think of no purpose for this change--why should the tapered ends be better? But there must have been a reason since the cost of fabricating new tooling must have been substantial.