About Komura

Sankyō Kōki K.K. (三協光機㈱) was a Japanese optical company, which used the brand name Komura for a variety of lenses. The company's name usually appeared as Sankyo Kohki on English language product branding such as lens badges. However in English language trademark filings, the more conventional spelling of Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd. was often used.

The company was already active in the early 1950s. Before the use of the Komura brand, it used the brand name Chibanon or Chibanone, notably supplying lenses to the Tōsei Kōki company. The Chibanon brand was retained for some time on enlarging lenses and projection lenses. In 1962 the company registered Komura as a US Trademark. The filing indicates that Komura was first used as a brand name in 1953. At the time of this filing the company's address is listed as:

Sankyo Koki Co., Ltd.
69 Kita-Inaricho
Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan

In the 1970s, the company developed the Komura Unidapter System that allowed their 35mm interchangeable lenses to mount to "practically all Japanese-made and a number of European-made reflexes - as well as 16mm cine cameras with C mount" Komura Unidapter adapters known to exist include Canon FL, Exakta, M42 (Pentax/Practica), Miranda Sensorex, Nikon F, Minolta, Ricoh Singlex, Petri, and Topcon D-1.

By the mid 1970s, the company changed it's name to Komura Lens Manufacturing, Ltd. In 1975 the company registered Telemore as a trademark. The filing indicates that Telemore was first used in commerce in 1969. In 1976 they registered Komuranon as a trademark. The filing indicates Komuranon was first used in commerce in 1973. At the time of the US trademark filings, the company's address is listed as:

Komura Lens Mfg., Ltd.
17-3, Kasuga 2-chome
Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

The Komura company became insolvent in 1980 and in 1981 was reported to be in acquisition talks with a "large binocular manufacturer". The outcome is unknown, however, all trademarks owned by the company subsequently expired, suggesting the company did not survive. Knowledgeable collectors praise Komura lenses, for their high contrast, color rendering, and smooth bokeh.