Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5

Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 L39

The Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 L39 is a rare Japanese short telephoto lens documented in Leica screw-mount form. It is usually associated with Kyoei Optical, a smaller Japanese optical maker active during the postwar rangefinder and early SLR period. KEH lists the lens as “Kyoei 105mm F/3.5 Super-Acall Lens For Leica Screw Mount Black/Chrome,” with M39 Leica screw mount and a 40.5mm filter size [1].

The lens is also encountered in listings simply titled Acall 105mm f/3.5 L39. The “with M adapter” wording in some seller listings should be treated as accessory information only. The lens itself is the Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw-mount lens, while the adapter allows use on Leica M bodies. The adapter should not be included in the model name.

This entry covers Leica screw-mount examples of the Kyoei / Acall 105mm f/3.5 lens. Because Kyoei and Acall names appear across several mounts and focal lengths, the exact mount and rangefinder coupling should be verified from the physical lens. Do not merge it with Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5, W-Acall 35mm f/3.5, Sankyo Kohki Komura 105mm f/3.5, or unrelated 105mm SLR lenses.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 is a vintage Japanese telephoto with uncommon focal length and collector interest. Rangefinderforum discussion describes the 105mm Super-Acall for Leica rangefinder use as a rare lens and suggests that it may use a simple triplet-style design, though more firm documentation is needed before this should be treated as confirmed [2].

Sharpness

No reliable modern bench test was found. User-level discussion reports that a Super-Acall 105mm example was sharp enough to the corners on film, but this should be treated as sample-level evidence rather than measured performance. Sharpness should be described conservatively and judged copy by copy.

Contrast and color

Contrast will depend strongly on optical condition and hood use. Rangefinderforum notes visible flare in one sample image despite the use of a large hood, while also describing warm colors and nice saturation from that copy. Haze, coating wear and internal reflections should be checked carefully.

Bokeh and transitions

As a 105mm f/3.5 lens, the Super-Acall can provide moderate subject separation, especially at closer portrait distances. A recent user report on a Kyoei Optical Acall 105mm f/3.5 describes defined but soft bokeh and suggests a triplet-like rendering, but this remains user-level evidence rather than a confirmed optical formula [5].

Handling

The lens is a relatively uncommon short telephoto for Leica screw-mount cameras. KEH lists it as a manual-focus telephoto / long lens with 105mm focal length, 40.5mm filter size and M39 Leica screw mount. Some examples are sold with an external finder or hood, which are useful because Leica screw-mount bodies do not have built-in 105mm framelines.

Digital use

The lens can be used on Leica M bodies with an L39-to-M adapter and on mirrorless cameras with suitable adapters. Because it is a 105mm lens, rangefinder accuracy should be checked carefully. If a copy is not rangefinder-coupled or has been adapted from another mount, it should be documented as a conversion rather than a standard LTM rangefinder lens.

History

Development and Launch

Public documentation for the Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 is limited. It appears to belong to the 1950s Japanese third-party lens era, when smaller manufacturers produced Leica screw-mount and SLR lenses alongside better-known makers such as Canon, Nikon, Tanaka, Komura and Kyoei. Rangefinderforum discussion identifies Kyoei Optical Co. as separate from Sankyo Kohki, the maker associated with Komura branding.

Production Evolution

No confirmed production years or production totals were found. Collector discussion describes an all-black Super-Acall 3.5/105 for Leica rangefinder use and suggests a post-1957 style based on finish, but this should not be used as a firm production date. Dealer records document black and chrome examples and M39 Leica screw-mount examples.

Special Editions/Variants

No commemorative factory special edition is documented. Collector-relevant differences include Acall versus Super-Acall engraving, black and chrome finish, external finder, hood, caps, and whether the exact copy is confirmed as Leica screw mount and rangefinder-coupled.

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the Kyoei / Acall / Super-Acall engraving, 105mm f/3.5 marking, Leica L39 / M39 screw mount, rangefinder coupling, infinity focus, filter thread size, serial number and included accessories. Important condition checks include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, coating wear, flare, stiff focusing, aperture operation and thread damage. Seller titles may mention an M adapter, but that should be recorded as an accessory rather than part of the lens model.

Special editions

No confirmed factory commemorative special edition is currently documented.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 L39, Leica screw-mount version, this entry.
• Acall 105mm f/3.5 L39 examples, likely same lens family when Leica screw mount and rangefinder coupling are confirmed.
• Examples sold with external finder, hood, caps or L39-to-M adapter, accessory differences only.
• Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 LTM, related but separate focal length.
• Kyoei W-Acall 35mm f/3.5 LTM, related maker family but separate lens.
• Sankyo Kohki Komura 105mm f/3.5 LTM, similar Japanese third-party lens but separate maker and entry.