Super-KOMURA/KOMURANON 90-250mm f/4.5 (Uni Auto Zoom For 35mm SLR Cameras)

Super-KOMURA 90-250mm f/4.5
(Uni Auto Zoom For 35mm SLR Cameras)

2016.06.21 - Published

2021.08.13 - Re-written, re-edit video

The Super-KOMURA 90-250mm f/4.5 Uni Auto Zoom is a telephoto zoom with constant opening of f/4.5 at any focal length. It appears this lens I have is the first version. There is a later KOMURANON version with macro and tripod collar included, and presumably improved lens coating.

The first thing you will notice is how HUGE and heavy this lens is and that it is impossible to do handheld shooting with it. The two separate rings for focus and zoom make shooting even harder (I prefer 'one-touch zoom'). Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a tripod mount; if you ever mount your camera body to the tripod, this lens would be front-heavy. I have not shot alot with this lens because of its weight and difficulty shooting handheld; the results were very pleasing, but I'd rather get lighter plastic lenses.

It was bought in bad fungal infestation until I cleaned it. The elements had a light blue and amber sheen. The coating may have deteriorated from age and cleaning and affect the output. What I got was a very pleasing vintage character (low contrast, delicate colors, but sharp wide open any focal). The minimum focusing is 2 meters, typical of lenses from that era; the later KOMURANON versions from the 1970s has macro at 90mm which can focus down to 0.6 meters.

It uses Komura's Unidapter interchangeable mount system, similar to the more popular Tamron Adaptall. Of the few I've seen, they were all in M42 mount, which wouldn't adapt well on my Nikon DSLR back then. Now that I have a mirrorless camera which could take any obsolete SLR mounts, I often contemplate having it back and doing better shots with it (maybe better if the later KOMURANON MACRO version).