Beseler Topcon 35mm Super D
Jul 25, 2014 11:22:14 #
A mint condition 35mm Super D with lenses and accessories for sale. Includes:
SUPER D CAMERA WITH AUTO-TOPCOR 1:1.8 / F=5.8 CM LENS
WIDE ANGLE LENS, AUTO-TOPCOR 1:3.5 / F=2.5 CM
TELEPHOTO LENS, AUTO-TOPCOR 1:5.6 / F=200 MM
TOPCON WAIST LEVEL VIEWFINDER ADAPTOR
TOPCON EXTENSION TUBE SET (#1, #2, #3)
TOPCON LENS HOOD
HOT SHOE FLASH MOUNTING ADAPTOR.
MISC. FILTERS
More photos available
SUPER D CAMERA WITH AUTO-TOPCOR 1:1.8 / F=5.8 CM LENS
WIDE ANGLE LENS, AUTO-TOPCOR 1:3.5 / F=2.5 CM
TELEPHOTO LENS, AUTO-TOPCOR 1:5.6 / F=200 MM
TOPCON WAIST LEVEL VIEWFINDER ADAPTOR
TOPCON EXTENSION TUBE SET (#1, #2, #3)
TOPCON LENS HOOD
HOT SHOE FLASH MOUNTING ADAPTOR.
MISC. FILTERS
More photos available
Jul 25, 2014 11:33:45 #
Jul 26, 2014 13:49:12 #
Jul 26, 2014 14:00:15 #
Jul 27, 2014 09:30:43 #
Jul 27, 2014 11:47:00 #
Impressive camera.
It was the model the US Navy chose to replace the Kodak medium format 6X9 Medallist. Here is a section of a page on military 35mm camera's, pertaining to the Super D:
"Topcon's Super D was very popular with the US Navy. Different versions were ordered 1) without the mirror lock up 2) with the mirror lock up 3) the Super DM. The first two versions were ordered primarily in chrome, but some black bodies have show up. All variations have "US NAVY" engrave on the baseplate. While the Navy ordered standard Topcon lenses, a few special US Navy lenses were ordered with infinity lock and a red "N" preceding the serial number to indicate "Navy." One such lens is the 135/2.8 Black.
A number of Navy Topcons were assembled in a "Submarine Periscope 35mm Camera Set KS-93A" set which included a Topcon Super D body (non mirror lock version), motor drive, and 100/2.8 Topcor, supplied in an aluminum case. The Super D was marked US Navy on the bottom plate. The 100/2.8 had the red "N" engraving on the filter ring indicating Navy.
Production is unknown, but the Topcon US Navy Super D's are much more plentiful than the Nikon Navy F's. I believe a reasonable guess would be 2,000-5000 cameras, produced through the three major Super D variations.
In one of its 1968 ads, Topcon proudly proclaimed its choice by the US Navy and the FBI. What markings, if any, were used on the FBI cameras is unknown. At the time, Topcon was distributed in the US by Beseler, and the camera was called the Beseler Topcon. A popular story at the time was Topcon got the Navy contract because a Navy purchasing agent thought Beseler was an American made camera! I'm not sure, but I would not be surprised if it were true.
A few Topcon Uni's have show up with US Navy property tags.
I have seen one olive green Topcon Super D. I was told by the Topcon rep it was made on spec for a US Government contract bid, but was not ordered."
That contract is what drew me to Beseler Topcon camera's and lenses. Topcor lenses rank among the best.
It was the model the US Navy chose to replace the Kodak medium format 6X9 Medallist. Here is a section of a page on military 35mm camera's, pertaining to the Super D:
"Topcon's Super D was very popular with the US Navy. Different versions were ordered 1) without the mirror lock up 2) with the mirror lock up 3) the Super DM. The first two versions were ordered primarily in chrome, but some black bodies have show up. All variations have "US NAVY" engrave on the baseplate. While the Navy ordered standard Topcon lenses, a few special US Navy lenses were ordered with infinity lock and a red "N" preceding the serial number to indicate "Navy." One such lens is the 135/2.8 Black.
A number of Navy Topcons were assembled in a "Submarine Periscope 35mm Camera Set KS-93A" set which included a Topcon Super D body (non mirror lock version), motor drive, and 100/2.8 Topcor, supplied in an aluminum case. The Super D was marked US Navy on the bottom plate. The 100/2.8 had the red "N" engraving on the filter ring indicating Navy.
Production is unknown, but the Topcon US Navy Super D's are much more plentiful than the Nikon Navy F's. I believe a reasonable guess would be 2,000-5000 cameras, produced through the three major Super D variations.
In one of its 1968 ads, Topcon proudly proclaimed its choice by the US Navy and the FBI. What markings, if any, were used on the FBI cameras is unknown. At the time, Topcon was distributed in the US by Beseler, and the camera was called the Beseler Topcon. A popular story at the time was Topcon got the Navy contract because a Navy purchasing agent thought Beseler was an American made camera! I'm not sure, but I would not be surprised if it were true.
A few Topcon Uni's have show up with US Navy property tags.
I have seen one olive green Topcon Super D. I was told by the Topcon rep it was made on spec for a US Government contract bid, but was not ordered."
That contract is what drew me to Beseler Topcon camera's and lenses. Topcor lenses rank among the best.
Jul 27, 2014 12:20:07 #
cameraniac
Loc: Huntingburg, Indiana
Kuzano wrote:
Topcor lenses rank among the best.
I can't keep myself from eyeballing that 5.8cm :shock:.
Jul 29, 2014 07:35:43 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
cameraniac wrote:
I can't keep myself from eyeballing that 5.8cm :shock:.
And can you imagine this camera with a 40 or 90mm Makro-Kilar attached? Or how about a 75 f/1.5 Zeiss Biotar? All Exakta lenses fit on the Super D. Sometimes I wish I'd never heard of digital! :lol:
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