National Optical Company

Est. 1934

National Optical Company

The National Optical Company, commonly identified by the initials N.O.C., was a British optical-manufacturing operation based in Leicester and organized as a subsidiary of Taylor, Taylor & Hobson. It produced photographic and military optics, including more economically positioned lenses carrying names ending in “-nol.” For Leica collectors, N.O.C. is notable for rare rangefinder lenses such as the collapsible Anastigmat 2-inch 50.8mm f/2 and the Trinol Anastigmat 105mm f/3.5 in Leica screw mount.

History

Founding / Early Years

National Optical Company was established in 1934 within the Taylor, Taylor & Hobson group. Its Leicester operations supplemented the parent company's optical production and provided a distinct identity for second-tier photographic lenses. N.O.C. products included anastigmats intended for cameras and enlarging or projection applications, although surviving documentation is much less complete than that for Taylor-Hobson's principal Cooke-branded lines.

Market Entry

During the 1930s, N.O.C. entered the photography-equipment market with lenses such as the Trinol and other “-nol” designs. During the Second World War the business contributed optical equipment for British military and Air Ministry requirements. The formal subsidiary period is generally dated to 1934 through 1945.

Expansion / Modern Period

Postwar lenses carrying the N.O.C. name survive, including Leica-thread examples catalogued from the late 1940s and 1950s. This establishes continued use of the brand, but published sources do not fully explain the legal or manufacturing continuity after 1945. No modern National Optical Company lens program is documented under this identity. The historical output is now encountered mainly through vintage cameras, auction records, and specialist collections.

Product Lines

Rangefinder Lenses

Documented Leica M39 lenses include the N.O.C. Anastigmat 2-inch f/2 and the Trinol Anastigmat 105mm f/3.5. Some examples carry retailer or distributor engraving.

Photographic and Military Optics

The company also produced camera lenses outside the Leica system and optical equipment associated with wartime government supply.

Technical Characteristics

Feature	Description
Manufacturing base	Leicester, England
Corporate relationship	Subsidiary or associated operation of Taylor, Taylor & Hobson
Reference lens	Anastigmat 2-inch, 50.8mm, f/2 Collapsible
Lens mount	Documented in Leica M39 screw mount
Focusing	Rangefinder-coupled on catalogued Leica-fit examples
M-mount use	Compatible through a suitable LTM-to-M adapter

Market Reception

N.O.C. Leica lenses are uncommon and attract attention from collectors of British optical manufacturing and non-Leitz LTM lenses. Their appeal rests on rarity, Taylor-Hobson lineage, and the unusual combination of British manufacture with Leica rangefinder compatibility. The limited surviving corporate record also means that exact production dates and design relationships should be stated only when supported by a specific lens or catalogue.

Sources

Lenses (1)

Make	Model	Price	Focal Length	Aperture	Release year	Diameter (mm)	Length (mm)	Weight (g)	Min focus distance	Elements	Groups	Filter diameter (mm)	Mount	Model number(s)	Actions
National Optical Company	Anastigmat 2-inch 50.8mm f/2 (Collapsible)	.	50	2	1955	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	1.07 m	6	4	Unknown	LTM	Anastigmat 1:2 f=2 inch