Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5

Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 LTM

The Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 LTM is a rare Japanese telephoto lens documented in Leica screw-mount form. It belongs to Kyoei Optical’s small group of postwar third-party rangefinder lenses, alongside lenses such as the W.Acall 35mm f/3.5, Acall 80mm f/3.5 and Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5. It should be treated as a separate lens from the 105mm version, because it uses a different focal length and belongs in a separate price and collector category.

The lens is typically found in black and chrome / silver finish and is associated with Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw-mount use. Some examples are sold with hood, case or caps, but these should be recorded as accessories rather than part of the model name. The 135mm focal length also means that an external 135mm finder is useful on Leica screw-mount bodies.

This entry covers Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw-mount examples of the Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5. Because Kyoei and Acall names appear across different focal lengths and mounts, the exact mount, rangefinder coupling and infinity focus should be verified from the physical lens. Do not merge it with Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5, Kyoei Acall 80mm f/3.5, Sankyo Kohki Komura 135mm lenses, Honor-branded lenses, or unrelated 135mm SLR lenses.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 is a vintage Japanese telephoto with collector interest rather than a common modern-use lens. The 4 elements in 3 groups construction is typical of many compact 135mm f/3.5 lenses from the period. Rendering should be expected to be classic and condition-dependent, with lower contrast than modern telephotos and more sensitivity to flare, haze and coating condition.

Sharpness

No reliable modern bench test was found. A clean and correctly adjusted copy may be capable of good practical sharpness, but performance should be judged copy by copy. Haze, cleaning marks, coating wear, internal reflections and rangefinder calibration can strongly affect results.

Contrast and color

Contrast is likely moderate and dependent on condition. Use with a hood is recommended, especially because 135mm rangefinder telephotos from this period can be prone to veiling flare when used without proper shading. Complete examples with hood and case are more attractive for collectors.

Bokeh and transitions

As a 135mm f/3.5 lens, the Super-Acall can provide noticeable background separation for portraits and distant details. It is not a fast portrait lens in the f/2 class, but the longer focal length gives it more subject isolation than Kyoei’s shorter 80mm and 105mm lenses.

Handling

The lens is a long telephoto for Leica screw-mount cameras. On Barnack-style bodies it should normally be used with an external 135mm finder, and accurate focusing requires a well-calibrated rangefinder. If used on Leica M bodies, an L39-to-M adapter is required. Seller listings may include hood, caps, case or finder accessories, but those should be recorded separately from the lens model.

Digital use

The lens can be used on Leica M bodies with an L39-to-M adapter and on mirrorless cameras with suitable adapters. Rangefinder accuracy should be checked carefully because 135mm lenses place greater demands on rangefinder alignment. 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 Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 is limited. It appears to belong to the 1950s Japanese third-party Leica screw-mount period, when smaller manufacturers supplied lenses for Leica, Canon, Nicca, Leotax, Honor and other rangefinder cameras. Kyoei Optical was one of several smaller Japanese lens makers producing uncommon LTM lenses during this period.

Production Evolution

No confirmed production years, serial ranges or production totals were found. Surviving examples appear in black and chrome / silver finish and in Leica screw mount. Because documentation is sparse, exact production details should remain conservative unless supported by the specific lens or a strong source.

Special Editions/Variants

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

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the Kyoei / Super-Acall engraving, 135mm f/3.5 marking, Leica L39 / M39 screw mount, rangefinder coupling, infinity focus, serial number and included accessories. Important condition checks include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, coating wear, aperture function, focusing smoothness, damaged screw threads and finder/hood completeness. Similar Japanese 135mm f/3.5 lenses from Komura, Canon, Nikon, Honor or other makers should not be merged unless the engraving and mount clearly match.

Special editions

No confirmed factory commemorative special edition is currently documented.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Kyoei Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 LTM, Leica screw-mount version, this entry.
• Super Acall 135mm f/3.5 L39 / M39 examples, same likely lens family when Leica screw mount and rangefinder coupling are confirmed.
• Examples sold with hood, case, caps or external finder, accessory differences only.
• Honor-branded Kyoei-related 135mm lenses, historically related but should be treated as separate branding unless the exact lens confirms otherwise.
• Kyoei Super-Acall 105mm f/3.5 LTM, related maker family but separate focal length.
• Kyoei Acall 80mm f/3.5 LTM, related maker family but separate focal length.
• Kyoei W.Acall 35mm f/3.5 LTM, related maker family but separate lens.
• Sankyo Kohki / Komura 135mm f/3.5 LTM lenses, similar Japanese third-party telephotos but separate maker entries unless proven identical.

Sources

• Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics. Kyoei Optical Co. Super-Acall 135mm F/3.5 lens for LTM incl. hood/case. https://fotohandeldelfshaven.nl/product/kyoei-optical-co-super-acall-135mm-f-3-5-lens-for-ltm-incl-hood-case/
• Leica-Copies Japan. Yashica YE & YF Rangefinder Cameras. https://leica-copies-japan.com/YE%26YF.html
• ClubSNAP. Super Acall 135mm F3.5 Rangefinder Lens, LTM L39. https://clubsnap.com/threads/wtsell-lens-other-super-acall-135mm-f3-5-rangefinder-lens-ltm-l39.1644137/
• ClubSNAP. Super Acall 135mm F3.5, LTM L39 M39. https://clubsnap.com/threads/wtsell-lens-other-super-acall-135mm-f3-5-ltm-l39-m39.1631588/
• Rangefinderforum. 135mm Super Acall Lens by Kyoei Optical, which mount?. https://rangefinderforum.com/threads/135mm-super-acall-lens-by-kyoei-optical-which-mount.62782/