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Yu-Lin Chan | profile | all galleries >> Pictures Taken with Manual Focus Lenses >> 40mm to 60mm Lenses >> Ricoh (Tomioka) 55mm f1.4 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Ricoh (Tomioka) 55mm f1.4

This lens, like many Japanese 55mm f1.4 lenses from the same era, was made by Tomioka. I have three of the same lenses but with different names: Ricoh 55mm f1.4, Cosina 55mm f1.4, and the Chinon 55mm f1.4. All three differ very slightly, but if you look at the glass, all look identical. Others that were made by Tomioka inlcude Yashinon 55mm f1.4, Revenon 55mm f1.4, and possibly others.

I have seen at least three serial number ranges for this lens. Mine starts with 72xxx (same as the Cosina lens except the Cosina has 6 digits) and has 5 digits, and there are ones that starts with 31xxxx and has 6 digits, and another that starts with 20xxx and 5 digits. So, it seems like Ricoh sourced their lenses from at least 3 different makers, unless they changed their serial number 3 times, which is unlikely.

The Tomioka lens has a cult following, due to its very good Optical performance. I have not used these lenses extensively, but even wide open is usable. This is high marks for a lens this old.

This lens is almost as nice as the Takumar in terms of focusing. Very smooth even after decades of use. The bokeh is quite nice as well.

In short, you won't be disappointed with this lens for low light shooting, at a reasonable price, but keep in mind that this is no Leica Summilux so please set your expectations accordingly.
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