Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm f/1.9

Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm f/1.9

Among the standard lenses Tanaka Kōgaku produced for its Tanack screw-mount rangefinders, the Tanar 50mm f/1.9 stands out as the optic developed specifically for the Tanack V3 and the one most commonly found mounted on that body [1]. Tanaka Kōgaku, a small Japanese maker, built a family of Tanar lenses in Leica screw mount for its Tanack cameras spanning the Tanack 35, IIIS and IV-S through the later SD, V3 and VP, with some examples also produced in Nikon S and Contax mounts [1]. The 50mm f/1.9 belongs to the later part of that lineup and is closely tied to the V3 generation introduced around 1959 [1].

Optically the lens uses six elements in three groups and is regarded as a Sonnar-type design, in keeping with several other fast Tanar standard lenses [1]. It is a Leica thread-mount (LTM/M39) lens with a ten-bladed diaphragm and a 41 mm filter thread. The barrel is predominantly black with a chrome tip and base mount, and the focus ring carries large knurls with chrome stripes [1]. Like the other Tanar lenses it uses a straight helical, so the front of the barrel does not rotate while focusing [1]. The distance scale is engraved in both metres and feet down to 2 ft or 0.6 m; distances beyond 3.5 ft or 1 m are marked in red for feet and yellowish white for metres, with the colours reversed for the closer settings, which fall inside the range not coupled to the rangefinder [1]. The aperture scale runs from f/1.9 to f/22, and a fixed Exposure Value scale from EV2 to EV18 is engraved on the lens tip alongside the aperture ring, paired with a green speed scale at the bottom of the ring to indicate the matching shutter setting [1].

Identification is helped by the front bezel, engraved Tanaka Kogaku Japan TANAR 47.5° 1:1.9 F=5cm with a serial number, the 47.5° figure being the diagonal angle of view shown in green [1]. Known serial numbers fall in the 192xxx to 193xxx range, recorded from 192073 to 193591, a sequence thought to have begun at 192001 with the leading "19" corresponding to the maximum aperture [1]. Total production has been estimated at roughly 1,600 units, about the same as the number of Tanack V3 bodies made, which makes the lens relatively scarce [1].

Optical qualities

Rendering Independent published testing of this specific lens is limited, so claims about its rendering should be treated with caution. As a six-element, three-group Sonnar-type standard lens of the late 1950s, it would be expected to show the moderate contrast and smooth tonal character typical of that formula, but detailed, repeatable reviews are scarce and the available documentation focuses on construction and history rather than measured performance [1].

History

Development and Launch The Tanar 50mm f/1.9 was developed specifically for the Tanack V3, the camera with which it is most often paired, placing its introduction in the V3 era around 1959 [1]. It sits alongside other fast Tanar 5cm standard lenses such as the f/2, f/1.8, f/1.5 and f/1.2, several of which share Sonnar-derived designs [1]. As with most Tanar standard lenses, examples were frequently sold as a set together with a Tanack body rather than purely as separate accessories [1].

Collector Notes Collectors can confirm originality through the front bezel engraving and the serial number, which should fall within the documented 192xxx to 193xxx range [1]. The combined metre and feet distance scale reading down to 0.6 m, the green 47.5° angle marking, and the EV scale running from EV2 to EV18 on the tip are useful authentication points [1]. Because the lens is not rangefinder coupled at its closest focusing distances, buyers should understand its focusing behaviour before purchase [1]. Given the small estimated production of around 1,600 units, clean original examples are uncommon, so as with any vintage screw-mount optic it is worth checking the glass for haze and the helical for smooth operation [1].

Sources

• [1] Camerapedia. Tanar lenses. https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Tanar_lenses