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A Gallery of Topcon Equipment
Page 4
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Two Versions of the Slide Copying Attachment
The early version Slide Copying Attachment is shown in foreground attached to a Model III bellows. In the rear is the later version mounted to a Model IV bellows. Both these are setup for 1:1 copying.
Note that the older version positions the slide at the end of the bellows, while the newer version has an offset that moves the slide closer to the copying lens. I believe the reason for modifying this attachment can be seen by noting that, for 1:1 copying with the old version, the camera must be slid foreword on the top rail. But the Model IV bellows allows the camera body to rotate to vertical format. Sliding the camera body forward is not an option in this case. Thus the offset, moving the slide towards the camera.
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End of the Line
Here is Topcon's final offering to the consumer camera market: A Super Dm with CC finder and Autowinder S. Mounted is a 85mm f/1.8 lens, probably the last new design of the RE Auto Topcor lenses series. As with all last generation lenses, this lens is finished in fine matte black, while the body of the camera is the usual Topcon black satin. The body, Autowinder and lens make a substantial package, heavy and somewhat bulky.
It is too bad Topcon waited so long to bring this lens to market because, in spite of its weight, it possesses outstanding optics. Both the lens and its hood are near lookalikes to the 58mm f/1.4 normal lens. But, both are noticeably longer and the 85mm sports two rubber focusing bands.
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A Telephoto Macro Lens
The more normal macro lens has a focal length somewhere near 50mm. This Topcor beauty has a focal length of 135mm, allowing the photographer to move back from his subject and still get good magnification. This is a short mount lens with semi-automatic diaphragm action. The diaphragm is 'cocked' wide open for focusing and composition and the double cable release synchronizes closing the aperture and releasing the shutter. However, exposure readings must be taken at shooting aperture.
As shown, the lens is mounted on a Model IV bellows with the camera body rotated for vertical format. Normally, the bellows extension is set for the desired magnification and the bottom rail is used for focusing.
Below is an image taken with this setup at a magnification of 1:1.5. The subject is a tiny artificial cactus flower.
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The Motor Drive Hand Controller
A handy accessory , this unit attaches to the connector at the bottom of the Motor Drive and allows exposures to be initiated from a position remote to the camera itself. The Hand Controller allows control of two Motor Drive functions--shutter release and switching between single frame and continuous modes. The shutter speed, aperture and speed knob at the rear of the Motor Drive must be set ahead of time. Topcon provided several connecting cables of various lengths; the one shown is 1 meter in length, the longest was 100 feet.
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If you like to include yourself in a picture, the hand controller does away with the frantic rush imposed by the self timer. It is also valuable for wildlife photographs; where the photographer stands at a distance from the camera. Of course, the noise from the Motor Drive could always cause the subject to disappear and present you with an empty frame.
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