Zuiho Honor 50mm f/2

Zuiho Honor 50mm f/2

The Honor 50mm f/2 is a scarce standard lens associated with the Honor S1, one of the better-finished Japanese Leica-copy rangefinders of the late 1950s. Surviving matched sets and auction records establish the lens as a native Leica-thread, rangefinder-coupled optic rather than a later conversion.

Optical design

Lens-DB records six elements in four groups, a 3.5-foot minimum focusing distance, and a 1959 catalogue date. The database uses 1.07m, the metric equivalent of 3.5 feet, for minimum focus. Published documentation does not reliably establish the diaphragm-blade count, filter size, or barrel dimensions, so those fields should remain unfilled.

A six-element, four-group layout belongs to the broad double-Gauss family commonly used for fast normal lenses of the period. That classification describes the arrangement, not a guaranteed rendering signature. No dependable version-specific MTF data or contemporary optical test has been located.

Rendering

The 50mm focal length gives a natural perspective on 35mm film and full-frame digital cameras. At f/2 the lens offers useful low-light capability and moderate subject separation while remaining smaller than the fastest f/1.5 and f/1.4 standards of its era.

Claims about exact sharpness, contrast, flare, and bokeh should be treated cautiously. Surviving examples are rare, and present-day condition can dominate their behaviour. Haze, cleaning marks, lubricant migration, and rangefinder-cam wear are all more consequential than generalized descriptions of “vintage character.”

Honor and Zuiho history

The corporate history is not completely settled. Pacific Rim Camera reports that Dai-ichi Optical developed the Ichicon-35 in 1954 and sold the design to Mejiro Optical. The Honor camera appeared in 1956, while period manufacturer references shift from Mejiro to Zuiho around 1958. Cameras themselves can carry Honor Opt. or Zuiho Opt. markings depending on period.

The Honor S1 Type II appeared in 1957. Pacific Rim Camera lists the 50mm f/2 Honor among its standard-lens options and notes that the Honor-branded normal lenses are often attributed to Konica, but labels that attribution as speculation. It should therefore remain a historical possibility rather than a confirmed maker credit.

Leitz Auction documented a 1958 Honor S1 Type II with matching Honor 2/50mm serial 5929. Another Leitz set from 1957 included an Honor 2/50mm serial 5927. These matched sets provide firmer evidence for the lens's period and intended camera system than later dealer descriptions alone.

Handling

The lens focuses to approximately 3.5 feet or 1.07m. Its coupled Leica-thread mount allows focusing through the camera rangefinder on properly calibrated LTM bodies. The compact chrome construction suits the Honor S1 and other screw-mount rangefinders.

Because production was limited and service history is often unknown, inspect the focusing cam, infinity calibration, diaphragm action, and internal glass carefully. A mechanically stiff example should be serviced rather than forced.

Compatibility

The Honor 50mm f/2 is a native LTM/L39 rangefinder lens. It fits compatible Leica-thread bodies directly and can be used on Leica M cameras with a correct 50/75mm LTM-to-M adapter. Rangefinder accuracy still depends on the individual lens, adapter, and camera being in calibration.

Identification and collecting

Confirmed matched examples are engraved Honor 2/50mm and occur with late Honor S1 sets. The brand history, small production, and uncertain subcontracting make careful photographic identification important. Do not merge the lens automatically with a Konica or Konishiroku 50mm simply because secondary references suggest a connection.