The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
p.2 #1The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Juha Kannisto wrote:
All the internet sources about the Topcor 9cm f3.5 LTM refer to it as a true Triplet lens (3 elements in 3 groups).
The first/second site in list below is a dedicated Japanese site for Topcor legacy lens info, and you can see the lens optical design diagrams on the first link:
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lenscut.htm
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lens6.htm
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/index.htm
https://flashbackcamera.jp/en/products/015736_leica_copy_topcor_90mm_f3-5_l
https://leica-copies-japan.com/Leotax.html
Brochure
^^ The Leotax Brochure is also a very official looking Leotax F brochure that has a table of Topcor lenses with element counts, listing 9cm f3.5 with 3 elements. However, the barrel design of the lens shown in the brochure looks a bit different from the usual version that...Show more →
Thank you very much for these great sources! That's very interesting. I don't have a lot of Topcor lenses, but I got a M39 Topcor 5 cm f/3.5 one, which has quite an interesting look. I think it's a Tessar design however.
All the internet sources about the Topcor 9cm f3.5 LTM refer to it as a true Triplet lens (3 elements in 3 groups).
The first/second site in list below is a dedicated Japanese site for Topcor legacy lens info, and you can see the lens optical design diagrams on the first link:
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lenscut.htm
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/lens6.htm
http://www.topgabacho.jp/Topconclub/index.htm
https://flashbackcamera.jp/en/products/015736_leica_copy_topcor_90mm_f3-5_l
https://leica-copies-japan.com/Leotax.html
Brochure
^^ The Leotax Brochure is also a very official looking Leotax F brochure that has a table of Topcor lenses with element counts, listing 9cm f3.5 with 3 elements. However, the barrel design of the lens shown in the brochure looks a bit different from the usual version that...Show more →
Thank you very much for these great sources! That's very interesting. I don't have a lot of Topcor lenses, but I got a M39 Topcor 5 cm f/3.5 one, which has quite an interesting look. I think it's a Tessar design however.
Sep 07, 2026 at 03:12 PM
p.2 #2The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Here's another one of my favorite Triplet lenses:
A Steinheil 57 mm f/2.8 (unlabeled) lens from an Oscilloscope camera, so optimized for close-up work. Very fun to experiment with:
Molecular cooking by simple.joy, on Flickr
Poor in rain by simple.joy, on Flickr
Already wearing the fall collection? by simple.joy, on Flickr
Wide open by simple.joy, on Flickr
REDundancy? by simple.joy, on Flickr
What are the odds? by simple.joy, on Flickr
How'd you get into the bottle, cap? by simple.joy, on Flickr
Tone down the bokeh? by simple.joy, on Flickr
Small budget fleet by simple.joy, on Flickr
A Steinheil 57 mm f/2.8 (unlabeled) lens from an Oscilloscope camera, so optimized for close-up work. Very fun to experiment with:
Molecular cooking by simple.joy, on FlickrPoor in rain by simple.joy, on FlickrAlready wearing the fall collection? by simple.joy, on FlickrWide open by simple.joy, on FlickrREDundancy? by simple.joy, on FlickrWhat are the odds? by simple.joy, on FlickrHow'd you get into the bottle, cap? by simple.joy, on FlickrTone down the bokeh? by simple.joy, on FlickrSmall budget fleet by simple.joy, on FlickrSep 08, 2026 at 04:51 AM
p.2 #3The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Lovely discussion.
I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.
I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.
Sep 08, 2026 at 06:58 AM
p.2 #4The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
Lovely discussion.
I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.
Thank you very much! The R Telyt-S 800 mm sounds interesting. I wasn't able to find a lens diagram though, since apparently the article on the lens from Marco Cavina isn't available anymore. Do you know where I might be able to look that up?
Lovely discussion.
I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.
Thank you very much! The R Telyt-S 800 mm sounds interesting. I wasn't able to find a lens diagram though, since apparently the article on the lens from Marco Cavina isn't available anymore. Do you know where I might be able to look that up?
Sep 08, 2026 at 08:15 AM
p.2 #5The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
simplejoy wrote:
I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.Thank you very much! The R Telyt-S 800 mm sounds interesting. I wasn't able to find a lens diagram though, since apparently the article on the lens from Marco Cavina isn't available anymore. Do you know where I might be able to look that up?
Just google it. Might see one on eBay or Leica Classics Store. It is a monster!
stgrove wrote
Lovely discussion.I know of a Leica R lens that is a cemented triplet design. The R Telyt -S 80mm f6.3.
I have the R Telyt 400mm f6.8 which is a dublet design-i.e., a push/pull focusing system. Very easy to use and disassemble when needed.
Just google it. Might see one on eBay or Leica Classics Store. It is a monster!
Sep 08, 2026 at 09:36 AM
p.2 #6The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
I heard that in the USA purchasers of this lens were given a Brazilian Fox (Beetle) when buying this lens. Guess it was considered huge then and it remains huge today. It is 6960 grams and you better have a very sturdy tripod to mount it upon.
Sep 08, 2026 at 09:44 AM
p.2 #7The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
Just google it. Might see one on eBay or Leica Classics Store. It is a monster!
Oh, sorry... I wasn't looking for an image of the lens, but the optical design! But I think I managed to find it. It really just is a 3/1 cemented Triplet, correct? I just misunderstood that at first.
Just google it. Might see one on eBay or Leica Classics Store. It is a monster!
Oh, sorry... I wasn't looking for an image of the lens, but the optical design! But I think I managed to find it. It really just is a 3/1 cemented Triplet, correct? I just misunderstood that at first.
Sep 08, 2026 at 09:49 AM
p.2 #8The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.
Should be an interesting one to try.
Should be an interesting one to try.
Sep 08, 2026 at 10:59 AM
p.2 #9The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.
Should be an interesting one to try.
Thanks! That one has already been mentioned, but I agree, it looks very interesting. Not too many wider Triplets in lens history.
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.
Should be an interesting one to try.
Thanks! That one has already been mentioned, but I agree, it looks very interesting. Not too many wider Triplets in lens history.
Sep 08, 2026 at 01:38 PM
p.2 #10The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.
Should be an interesting one to try.
I think there are some more copies as mine has serial #468, but they might have continued the numbering seamlessly from version I to II. Both versions are super hard to find 2nd hand these days, but over the years I've seen more copies of II than original version. In the last 4 years I've seen maybe 3 copies 2nd hand in Japanese stores (including the one I bought).
Edit: I found an MS-Optics lens info doc published by MS-Optics themselves which mentions that in total (across version I and II), they had made 500 in Black and 100 in Silver. Version I was apparently released in 2010 (August) and version II in 2011 June.
3 PERAR 3.5/35(I/II) 2010.8/2011.6 600 B:500 S:100
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.
Should be an interesting one to try.
I think there are some more copies as mine has serial #468, but they might have continued the numbering seamlessly from version I to II. Both versions are super hard to find 2nd hand these days, but over the years I've seen more copies of II than original version. In the last 4 years I've seen maybe 3 copies 2nd hand in Japanese stores (including the one I bought).
Edit: I found an MS-Optics lens info doc published by MS-Optics themselves which mentions that in total (across version I and II), they had made 500 in Black and 100 in Silver. Version I was apparently released in 2010 (August) and version II in 2011 June.
3 PERAR 3.5/35(I/II) 2010.8/2011.6 600 B:500 S:100
Sep 08, 2026 at 07:30 PM
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p.2 #11The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Should be an interesting one to try.I think there are some more copies as mine has serial #468, but they might have continued the numbering seamlessly from version I to II. Both versions are super hard to find 2nd hand these days, but over the years I've seen more copies of II than original version. In the last 4 years I've seen maybe 3 copies 2nd hand in Japanese stores (including the one I bought).
Edit: I found an MS-Optics lens info doc published by MS-Optics themselves which mentions that in total (across version I and II), they had made 500 in Black and 100 in...Show more →
Thanks for this info. The black one I bought has 453 stamped on it It is to due arrive soon from California..
stgrove wrote
MS Optical Super Triplet Perrar II 35 f3.5 MC M Mount by Miyazaki in 2010. Just 200 copies out there.Should be an interesting one to try.
Edit: I found an MS-Optics lens info doc published by MS-Optics themselves which mentions that in total (across version I and II), they had made 500 in Black and 100 in...Show more →
Thanks for this info. The black one I bought has 453 stamped on it It is to due arrive soon from California..
Sep 12, 2026 at 07:25 AM
p.2 #12The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
Thanks for this info. The black one I bought has 453 stamped on it It is to due arrive soon from California..
Yeah, seems like a very limited run lens. I hope you'll share a couple of shots when you get it. I would certainly love to see some more samples. In the meantime I have been wondering why none of these lenses is faster. Of course they're probably testing the limits of what wide-angle Triplets can do already, but I've wondered if there's some additional reasoning behind it, beyond that.
The optical design of some of those lenses looks really interesting. I'm sure their creator would have quite fascinating things to tell about the creation and evolution of the Triplet design.
Thanks for this info. The black one I bought has 453 stamped on it It is to due arrive soon from California..
Yeah, seems like a very limited run lens. I hope you'll share a couple of shots when you get it. I would certainly love to see some more samples. In the meantime I have been wondering why none of these lenses is faster. Of course they're probably testing the limits of what wide-angle Triplets can do already, but I've wondered if there's some additional reasoning behind it, beyond that.
The optical design of some of those lenses looks really interesting. I'm sure their creator would have quite fascinating things to tell about the creation and evolution of the Triplet design.
Sep 12, 2026 at 07:50 AM
p.2 #13The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Here's another Triplet, I've been quite imrpessed with: The tiny
Schneider Kreuznach Radionar 45 mm f/2.8
Apple presentation to my liking... by simple.joy, on Flickr
Lid a fire... by simple.joy, on Flickr
Color, the flor is yours! by simple.joy, on Flickr
Feeling the frame by simple.joy, on Flickr
Schneider Kreuznach Radionar 45 mm f/2.8
Apple presentation to my liking... by simple.joy, on FlickrLid a fire... by simple.joy, on FlickrColor, the flor is yours! by simple.joy, on FlickrFeeling the frame by simple.joy, on FlickrSep 19, 2026 at 05:21 AM
p.2 #14The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
Sep 19, 2026 at 05:41 AM
p.2 #15The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
But they are... aren't they showing up for you? Usually flickr images can be embedded and it works on both devices I've tried it. But perhaps there's something I'm missing. If so, I hope someone can explain it to me, since I'm not so familar with the forum software yet.
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
But they are... aren't they showing up for you? Usually flickr images can be embedded and it works on both devices I've tried it. But perhaps there's something I'm missing. If so, I hope someone can explain it to me, since I'm not so familar with the forum software yet.
Sep 19, 2026 at 06:05 AM
p.2 #16The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
simplejoy wrote:
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?But they are... aren't they showing up for you? Usually flickr images can be embedded and it works on both devices I've tried it. But perhaps there's something I'm missing. If so, I hope someone can explain it to me, since I'm not so familar with the forum software yet.
Don’t worry they show just fine
stgrove wrote
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
Don’t worry they show just fine
Sep 19, 2026 at 10:03 AM
p.2 #17The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
simplejoy wrote:
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?But they are... aren't they showing up for you? Usually flickr images can be embedded and it works on both devices I've tried it. But perhaps there's something I'm missing. If so, I hope someone can explain it to me, since I'm not so familar with the forum software yet.
Yesterday they did not show up, but today they are all there. I'm on the road and perhaps this internet was slownto load yesterday. Thanks.
stgrove wrote
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
Yesterday they did not show up, but today they are all there. I'm on the road and perhaps this internet was slownto load yesterday. Thanks.
Sep 20, 2026 at 05:13 AM
p.2 #18The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
stgrove wrote:
Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?But they are... aren't they showing up for you? Usually flickr images can be embedded and it works on both devices I've tried it. But perhaps there's something I'm missing. If so, I hope someone can explain it to me, since I'm not so familar with the forum software yet.Yesterday they did not show up, but today they are all there. I'm on the road and perhaps this internet was slownto load yesterday. Thanks.
Thanks - glad it works now! I've heard some forums struggle with the influx of AI bots and that the measures to manage that are causing errors with image embedding.
simplejoy wrote
stgrove wrote
My extent of social media is photo sites and as such flicker is not on my radar and never will be.Any chance you can attach your images onto a FM posting?
Thanks - glad it works now! I've heard some forums struggle with the influx of AI bots and that the measures to manage that are causing errors with image embedding.
Sep 20, 2026 at 06:15 AM
p.2 #19The most impressive Triplet lenses you've encountered
Yet another Steinheil lens:
The tiny Steinheil (Cassar) Anastigmat 45 mm f/2.8
A cut above the REDS by simple.joy, on Flickr
YE LOW? Cheer up! by simple.joy, on Flickr
Shelling out some GREEN! by simple.joy, on Flickr
The tiny Steinheil (Cassar) Anastigmat 45 mm f/2.8
A cut above the REDS by simple.joy, on FlickrYE LOW? Cheer up! by simple.joy, on FlickrShelling out some GREEN! by simple.joy, on FlickrSep 24, 2026 at 04:13 PM