When Tokyo Optical revealed their RE Super/Super D camera to the world in 1963, it was more than a new camera with a revolutionary through-the-lens metering system. Behind the camera was an impressive array of accessories, either planned or already in production, and an adequate stable of lenses.

Because Topcon chose the 'bottom solution' to the metering problem (putting the light sensitive element behind the mirror and ahead of the focusing screen), their engineers had great freedom with the viewing system and provided a variety of viewfinders and focusing screens.

They also designed the camera to accept a motor drive without any modification and a drive assembly and bulk film magazine were available almost as soon as the camera was. Also marketed early was a near complete set of macro/micro accessories including three superb special purpose macro lenses. A full complement of more normal accessories--

A Model 71 Super D with the RE Auto Topcor 300mm f/5.6 lens

lens hoods, filters and cases --were also included.

Early on, Topcon produced six lenses that were designated RE Auto and were compatible with the camera's exposure system, allowing 'wide open' focusing and metering.  At first the RE Auto lenses were restricted to a maximum focal length of 135mm, so five non-automatic lenses were carried over from the R. Topcon camera to fill in the upper end of the telephotos. During the life of the Super D, Topcon phased in more automatic lenses and eventually dropped all preset lenses, with the notable exception of the legendary 300mm f/2.8 which remained in production until the very end.

It seems that Topcon adopted not only the bayonet lens mount from Exakta, but also the market Exakta had dominated. In the beginning, the RE Super/Super D camera was first, a precision opto-photographic instrument for the science and technology user, secondly a rugged and reliable camera for the professional photographer, and lastly, something for the serious amateur. Topcon also was chosen by the U.S. military and other government agencies where the reliability, ruggedness, and availability of some unique lenses and accessories were appreciated.

In some ways the Topcon RE Super/Super D is an ideal camera system to collect. First of all, it had an abrupt end, there is no tapering off into another model. Although the beginning is not as well delineated, the body itself, the RE Auto lenses and the Motor Drive system arrived almost at the same time. And while the body evolved from the Model 46 through the Model 71 and on to the Model 72 (Super Dm), the later versions were not that much different from the first one. New RE Auto lenses were added but none were dropped. Only in the area of the macro accessories does the beginning get fuzzy. Here many items from the Topcon R camera series were carried over to the new model and while some were later redesigned, many remained unchanged.

Another advantage of this camera system is its ruggedness and reliability. Most of these cameras still work, the shutter and the exposure system as good as when new. And while the flat top of the eye-level viewfinder and the square edges and corners of the body were prone to dings and dents, it is not unusual to find specimens that look as if they just came off the dealer's shelf.

And there seems to be an endless number of versions, finishes, and variations of the bodies, lenses and accessories. A serious collector can devote many pleasant(?) hours searching out the rare and unusual. With the exception of Marco Antonneto's fine book, there is no guide to help the collector--he or she must be a detective and archeologist, searching for sales brochures and price lists; and through back issues of the photographic magazines. And don't look for help from Tokyo Optical or Beseler, they seem to treat this fine camera as a failure and an embarrassment.

I make no apology for my obsession with the RE Super/Super D. My research and collecting have provided me with many enjoyable hours. Finding something to fill a vacant slot in my collection gives me great satisfaction. And, while coins and stamps and beanie babies are collected by many, you really can't take superb photographs with them.