Leotax

Leotax

Leotax was a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera make produced by the company originally founded as Kyōei-sha in Tokyo, later known as Shōwa Kōgaku, Showa Optical Works, and finally Leotax Camera Co., Ltd. The company is best known for producing Leica-style rangefinder cameras using Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM, L39, or M39.

For LeicaLensList, Leotax is directly relevant because its cameras were built around the Leica screw mount system and were intended to use interchangeable rangefinder-coupled LTM lenses. Leotax cameras form an important part of the Japanese Leica-copy tradition, alongside Canon, Nicca, Leotax, Tanack, Minolta, and other post-war Japanese rangefinder makers.

Leotax did not become a major lens manufacturer in the same way as Canon, Nikon, or Tokyo Kogaku. Instead, its cameras were usually sold with lenses from other Japanese optical makers, especially Tokyo Kogaku lenses under the State, Simlar, C.Simlar, and Topcor names. Some Leotax cameras were also offered or found with lenses from Konishiroku, Fujinon, Nikkor, Zunow, and other makers. For database accuracy, Leotax should be treated primarily as a Leica-compatible camera make, while the lenses should usually be entered under their actual optical manufacturer.

History

Founding / Early Years

Leotax began in January 1938, when Nakagawa Kenzō, a former engineer connected with Konishiroku, founded Kyōei-sha in Nippori, Tokyo. The company was created during a period when Japanese manufacturers were studying German 35mm cameras, especially Leica cameras, as models for domestic camera production.

The earliest Leotax cameras were Leica-style 35mm rangefinder cameras. Like other early Japanese Leica copies, they followed the basic form of pre-war Leica screw mount cameras, with a compact body, focal-plane shutter, separate viewfinder and rangefinder windows, and a 39mm screw mount for interchangeable lenses.

During the 1940s, the company name and camera markings changed several times. Early cameras are associated with Shōwa Kōgaku markings, while later cameras used English-language engravings such as Showa Optical Company Limited and Showa Optical Works, Ltd. These name changes are important for collectors because the top-plate engraving helps date and identify Leotax bodies.

Post-War Leica Copy Production

After the Second World War, Leotax became part of the growing Japanese Leica-compatible camera market. German Leica cameras were expensive and difficult to obtain, while Japanese makers began producing domestic 35mm rangefinder alternatives for both local and export buyers.

Leotax cameras used the Leica Thread Mount, so they could accept a wide range of LTM lenses. This made them practical system cameras, even though Leotax itself relied heavily on outside lens suppliers. Post-war Leotax cameras are often found with Tokyo Kogaku lenses, especially Simlar and Topcor standard lenses.

The company’s early and mid-period cameras included models such as the Leotax Special, Leotax D II, Leotax D III, Leotax D IV, and Leotax S. These models stayed close to the classic Leica II and Leica III style, gradually improving handling, finish, rangefinder design, and shutter features.

Leotax F and Die-Cast Body Period

One of the most important Leotax models was the Leotax F, introduced in 1954. The Leotax F marked a more modern production phase, with a die-cast body and flash synchronization. It was one of the better-known Japanese Leica screw mount cameras of the 1950s and helped strengthen Leotax’s reputation among rangefinder users.

The Leotax F was followed by related models such as the Leotax T and Leotax K. These cameras shared much of the same body concept but offered different feature levels, shutter speed ranges, and price points. The T and K models allowed Leotax to compete in different market segments while staying within the same Leica-style screw mount camera family.

During this period, Leotax cameras were commonly sold with Tokyo Kogaku lenses. Typical lens options included Topcor 5cm f/3.5, Topcor 5cm f/2, Topcor 5cm f/1.5, and later Topcor-S 5cm f/2 lenses. Some cameras were also documented with Konishiroku Hexar or Hexanon lenses and Fujinon lenses.

Leotax Camera Co. Period

In 1956, the company name changed to Leotax Camera Co., Ltd. This change also appeared on camera engravings. By this time, the Japanese camera market was becoming more competitive. Canon and Nikon were expanding rapidly, Leica had introduced the M3 in 1954, and the single-lens reflex camera was becoming increasingly important.

Leotax continued to develop screw mount cameras in the second half of the 1950s. Important models from this later period include the Leotax TV, Leotax FV, Leotax TV2 Merite, and Leotax T2L Elite. These cameras introduced improvements such as better viewfinders, self-timers, lever wind on some models, and more modern handling while retaining Leica screw mount compatibility.

Leotax G and End of Production

The final major Leotax model was the Leotax G, released around 1961. It was a more ambitious camera that moved visually closer to the Leica M3 era while retaining the older Leica screw mount. The Leotax G used a more modern body style and a combined viewfinder/rangefinder concept influenced by the changing premium rangefinder market.

However, the market was already moving away from Leica-style screw mount bodies. Leica M cameras, Canon and Nikon rangefinders, and rapidly improving SLR systems made it difficult for smaller Leica-copy makers to survive. Leotax production ended in the early 1960s, and the make disappeared from the camera market.

Product Lines

Leotax Leica Screw Mount Cameras

The main Leotax product line consisted of 35mm rangefinder cameras using Leica Thread Mount. These cameras are the reason Leotax belongs in LeicaLensList. Important examples include the Leotax Special, Leotax D II, Leotax D III, Leotax D IV, Leotax S, Leotax F, Leotax T, Leotax K, Leotax TV, Leotax FV, Leotax TV2 Merite, Leotax T2L Elite, and Leotax G.

Early Stamped-Body Cameras

Early Leotax cameras were close to the Leica II and Leica III body style. These models used stamped body construction and gradually evolved through improvements in shutter design, rangefinder construction, and external finish. They are especially important to collectors of early Japanese Leica copies.

Die-Cast Body Cameras

The Leotax F introduced a more modern die-cast body period. Later models such as the T, K, TV, FV, and TV2 Merite continued this generation. These cameras are generally regarded as among the more robust Japanese Leica screw mount copies of the 1950s.

Leotax G

The Leotax G was the company’s final and most modern screw mount camera. It moved away from the traditional Barnack-style body toward a more modern rangefinder layout influenced by the Leica M3 and Nikon SP era, while still using Leica screw mount rather than Leica M bayonet mount.

Supplied Tokyo Kogaku Lenses

Many Leotax cameras were sold with lenses made by Tokyo Kogaku, later known for Topcon. These included lenses branded State, Simlar, C.Simlar, Topcor, and Topcor-S. These lenses should be listed under Tokyo Kogaku or Topcon rather than under Leotax.

Other Supplied Lenses

Leotax cameras can also be found with lenses from other makers, including Konishiroku Hexar, Konishiroku Hexanon, Fujinon, Nikkor, and Zunow. These pairings are historically interesting, but the lens make should follow the actual optical manufacturer.

Technical Characteristics

Feature	Description
Company Type	Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera manufacturer.
Original Name	Kyōei-sha.
Later Names	Shōwa Kōgaku, Showa Optical Works, Leotax Camera Co., Ltd.
Founder	Nakagawa Kenzō.
Historic Base	Tokyo, Japan.
Main Products	Leica-style 35mm rangefinder cameras.
LeicaLensList Relevance	Native Leica Thread Mount cameras compatible with LTM / L39 / M39 rangefinder lenses.
Important Camera Models	Leotax Special, D II, D III, D IV, S, F, T, K, TV, FV, TV2 Merite, T2L Elite, Leotax G.
Lens Mount	Leica Thread Mount, LTM, L39, M39.
Rangefinder Coupling	Yes, on Leotax rangefinder cameras.
Shutter Type	Mechanical cloth focal-plane shutter on classic Leica-style models.
Typical Lens Suppliers	Tokyo Kogaku, Konishiroku, Fujinon, Nikkor, Zunow, and other Japanese lens makers.
Most Common Lens Association	Tokyo Kogaku Simlar, Topcor, and Topcor-S lenses.
Collector Caution	Leotax was primarily a camera maker. Most lenses found on Leotax cameras should be attributed to their actual lens manufacturer.
Historical Context	Japanese Leica-copy camera production, post-war LTM rangefinder market, transition from Barnack-style cameras to modern rangefinders and SLRs.

Market Reception

Leotax is highly regarded among collectors of Japanese Leica copies. The make does not have the same broad recognition as Canon or Nikon, but it is respected for producing solid, well-finished Leica screw mount cameras with good mechanical quality. Later die-cast models such as the Leotax F, Leotax TV, and Leotax FV are often considered among the stronger Japanese Barnack-style Leica copies.

The brand’s collector appeal comes from its combination of Leica Thread Mount compatibility, Japanese post-war manufacturing history, and model variety. Leotax cameras are especially interesting because they show the transition from direct Leica III-style copying toward more independent Japanese rangefinder design.

For LeicaLensList, Leotax should be included as a valid historical make because its cameras are native LTM / M39 rangefinder bodies. However, database entries should clearly separate Leotax as the camera make from the actual manufacturers of lenses supplied with the cameras. A Topcor lens on a Leotax body is still a Tokyo Kogaku lens, not a Leotax lens.

Sources

• Leica Copies Japan, Leotax Rangefinder Cameras: https://leica-copies-japan.com/Leotax.html
• Camera-wiki, Shōwa Kōgaku: https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dwa_K%C5%8Dgaku
• CollectiBlend, Showa Kogaku Camera Guide: https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Showa-Kogaku/
• Patrick Faleur ARPS, Other Japanese Cameras, Leotax F: https://patrickfaleur.com/japanese-cameras/
• FlynnGraphics, Leotax F, Showa Optical Works: https://flynngraphics.ca/the-collection/other-cameras/leotax-showa-optical-works/
• Leitz Museum, Leica Copies: https://www.leitzmuseum.org/CameraMakes/LeicaCopies/Copies.html
• Camera-wiki, Tōkyō Kōgaku Lenses in Leica Screw Mount: https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dky%C5%8D_K%C5%8Dgaku_lenses_in_Leica_screw_mount