Lena Kogaku Lena-Q.C 50mm f/3.5 (Collapsible)

Lena-Q.C 50mm f/3.5 (Collapsible)

The Lena-Q.C 50mm f/3.5 is a rare Japanese standard lens supplied with early Chiyoca rangefinder cameras. Its collapsible barrel, Leica-compatible screw mount and coupled focusing reflect the compact Elmar-inspired standard lenses adopted by several post-war Japanese camera makers.

Optical Qualities

Auction documentation describes the Lena-Q.C as a Japanese copy of the Leica Elmar 50mm f/3.5. The exact element and group counts are not established consistently enough in surviving references, so those specification fields are intentionally left open. Optical performance can vary with coating and the condition of individual examples.

History

Lena Kogaku produced the lens for early Chiyoca cameras made by Chiyoda Shokai. Camera histories document the Lena-Q.C and Reise-Q.C as collapsible 50mm f/3.5 options for the Chiyoca IIF, introduced in the early 1950s. Original Lena-branded examples are scarce.

Handling

The lens retracts for compact storage and extends for photography. Its original M39 focusing mechanism is mechanically coupled to the camera rangefinder. Reliable minimum-focus and filter specifications have not been found and are therefore left open rather than estimated.

Compatibility

Original examples use the Leica thread mount, also known as LTM or M39. They can be mounted on compatible screw-mount rangefinders and used on Leica M bodies with a suitable adapter. Clearance should be checked before collapsing the lens into a digital camera body.

Sources

• Leitz Photographica Auction, Lena-Kogaku Lena-Q.C 3.5/5cm
• Pacific Rim Camera, Chiyoca, Chiotax and Reise