burnt embers

In this post I present tests of a Fujitar P.C 35mm f/2.5 lens that came with my Asahiflex IIa  (more about that kit here: link). This preset lens was made by Fujita Kogaku Kikai (according to this source). It is considered one of the earliest Japanese retro-focus lenses. The 35/2.5 came with the Asahiflex in a leather case with both end caps. The end caps are plain, but the leather case is embossed with Fujita Kogaku (see image in gallery below). There was no lens hood.

Of the three lenses in the kit this is the one that looks like it was used the most. I am not sure if that is because the metal surfaces are different from the Asahi-Kogaku Takumar lenses and more inclined to show dirt and wear (quite a few of the other examples with photos on line have a similar grubby look to them), or if it was the lens chosen the most often. I suspect the latter as I certainly gravitated to it of the three lenses. I really like 35 mm focal length, and because 58 mm seems a touch long. Though when I see the tests below, I think I will be more often using my S-M-C Takumar 35 (as I have done since the 1970’s).

The tests are made by adapting the lens to a DSLR. I compare it with a Super-Multi-Coated (shortened in this review to S-M-C) Takumar 35 mm f/3.5 lens and a Nikon Series E 35 mm f/2.5 lens.  The Fujitar lens has a m37 mount, the S-M-C Takumar has a m42 mount and the Nikon has a Nikon mount. The S-M-C Takumar and Nikon lenses are the only other lenses that I own with the same focal length as the Fujitar lens. The S-M-C Takumar is well-known among the vintage lens fraternity so provides a useful baseline for comparison. The Nikon is known and oft derided as one of their poorest lenses. The tests included approximations of f/3.5 on the Fujitar and Nikon which are not marked for this value in order to match the S-M-C Takumar when wide open. These two lenses open up to f/2.5 so I include tests at that setting too.

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