An Early Macro Setup
This is an example of a macro setup making use of the three fixed extension tubes and the variable extension tube. The lens is the short mount Topcor Macro 58 mm f/3.5.

Because there is no coupling between the camera and the lens, the aperture must be 'cocked' for full aperture using the small knob. The double cable release synchronizes the operation, tripping the diaphragm to the pre-selected shooting aperture first, then releasing the shutter. The cable release shown is the model carried over from the R series camera and can be identified by its flat sides.

With this lens, exposure measurements must be made at shooting aperture.

An Old Topcon on a Modern Microscope
The Topcon early microscope adapter --hinge, tilt type--mounted on a modern angled viewing microscope. This adapter, and the later Model  III, were designed for use with old-type microscopes using non-angled viewing tubes. That configuration placed most of the weight of the camera and adapter almost vertically. But both adapters are useable with the modern offset viewing, provided that the tube, together with its mounting, have sufficient strength to support the weight.

Unlike the Model III adapter, this version has no relay optics and the eyepiece itself is made to focus on the film. For composition, the adapter can be swung away to allow viewing through the eyepiece. Of course the microscope must be refocused between viewing and photographing. The critical focusing is made while viewing the image on the camera focusing screen. And since there is no adjustable diaphragm, exposure measurements are made in the normal fashion using only the shutter speed adjustment.

The Legend
This 300mm telephoto lens has the amazing aperture of f/2.8. Long and heavy, it is not for hand holding, but the sharpness of the image and light gathering power more than make up for the size and weight. What is truly amazing is that it's design (circa 1958) predated the RE Super/Super D by some years. Originally one of several R Topcor lenses offered with Topcon's R series of cameras, is was to remain in production until the very end in 1977, an incredible 19 years without re-design during a period of rapid change in camera and lens technology.

A testament to this lens is the fact that many professional photographers had this Topcor lens modified to fit their Nikon F bodies. And I have always suspected that this lens alone  was the persuader  for the FBI to select the Topcon camera system for some of their more "demanding" photographic assignments.

The Unusual Topcor Macro Lens (30 mm F/3.5)
This lens is unique in many respects. It is basically a microscope objective with an adjustable aperture. It works best on a bellows since it has no focusing provisions and is provided with two adapters that couple the threaded lens mount to the Exacta-type bayonet mount. One such adapter (shown) is the conical type with an extension of 65mm, a second one is flat and extends 5.8mm. The lens has the standard microscope thread to allow it's use on a microscope. An undocumented advantage of this provision is that standard microscope objectives can be mounted in the adapters and used as macro lenses.

Battery Tester for Motor Drive Non-cord Type
Battery Packs
Topcon provided this voltmeter allow a photographer to assess the charger remaining in the Motor Drive power pack. The original belt-clip power pack provided a miniature voltmeter for this purpose, but when the Motor Drive was changed to accept the non-cord type power packs, this feature was lost. Topcon's solution was to make available this small voltmeter that plugged into the charging terminals at the bottom of either non-cord pack--NiCad or Universal type.

This accessory is somewhat useless, as is the one on the belt-clip pack, because NiCad batteries have a non-linear discharge and tend to die rapidly. Also a battery's voltage may be lower under load (i.e. when the motor drive is running in the continuous mode) as compared to the no load condition. Testing the battery unloaded may lead to a false indication of the battery charge.