REVIEWS - Komura 2X TELEMORE 95 for Leica M

Komura was a lens maker in the 1950-70’s, producing SLR lenses, LTM rangefinder lenses, Bronica lenses and large format lenses. Komura’s parent company, Sankyo Kohki Works Ltd, marketed lenses under other brand names as well - Accurar, Acall, Tanars and Honor and SunSola. Kohki may be spelt Kohki or Kōki. Some of Komura’s lenses were good, some not so good. Komura produced a copy of the legendary Nikkor 105mm f2.5, and offered a 105mm F2 LTM as well. They had some unique products such as the 200mm F4.5 LTM lens (don't waste your money - very poor lens) and the 2X Telemore LTM extender.

1960’s Komura Brochure - 2X Telemore

The 2X Telemore LTM simply screws to the rear of a LTM lens. An M-mount version was introduced later, and is the more practical because it can be used with lenses such as the Leica 90mm or 135mm APO M's. The "neat" thing about these Komura teleconverters is that they are RF focus coupled. The lens’ focus cam rides along a wheel in the Telemore, in turn that pushes a cam and then that cam pushes against the focus arm in the rangefinder. In theory the Telemore will not add any focus error. It will multiply any focus error if the lens and/or Leica M are out calibration.

In the 1980's Leica (Leitz at the time) developed a 1.5x tele-converter called the Leitz Extender-M 1.5x #11238. This Extender-M was never sold. Supposedly 1000 units were made and subsequently destroyed. And supposedly ~10 of these units made into the general population. The only thing I know for sure is that they are VERY EXPENSIVE and usually are only sold at auctions (like WestLicht) with closing prices of $2,000 USD and up.

Leica M-Extender 1.5x, #11238; iGavel Auction

The Komura 2X Telemore is usable at all focus distances - including infinity. Focusing is via the rangefinder and framing via the included Variable Viewfinder. The Komura Variable Finder can be used for 80mm through 270mm framelines, though the viewfinder itself is pretty poor. The Leica M’s optical RF can be used to focus the lens, but the odds of getting it right are slim. The only realistic way to focus is with an EVF or Live View on the Leica M-240. Using the 2X Telemore on a non EVF camera such as the Leica M9 would be futile.

The Telemore’s performance is marginal. At all apertures there is some vignetting and corners are soft, but the central 50-60% of the frame is respectable at distances of 10 to 50 feet. At long distances contrast and sharpness drop off noticeably. With the Canon 100mm F2 Serenar LTM, the best aperture is F4 to F5.6. Wide open performance is dismal. The Canon 135mm F3.5 LTM faired slightly better, but performance is still marginal at best. Assuming a working aperture of F4 or F5.6, plus 2-stops of light loss and needing shutter speeds of at least 1/400 or faster; handheld shooting the Telemore 2X is unlikely. If going to the lengths of a tripod, a telephoto SLR lens via the Leica R-Adapter M (14642) makes more sense and will yield significantly better performance.

The Komura 2X Telemore never garnered much praise (if any), and I have seen nothing to overturn that judgement. But there is a whimsy to the 2X Telemore. If nothing else, just the act of shooting 270mm with a focus coupled lens on a rangefinder camera is a bit of a novelty for Leica M purists. If expectations are held to a rock-bottom-bare-minimum, the 2X Telemore can be a pleasant surprise at times. Expecting anything more is silly and spoils the novelty. I have owned both the LTM version and updated M-mount version, both are poor performers. The optical cell is probably the same, so do not trick yourself into thinking newer is better. Been there, done that.