These days, it seems everybody and his uncle makes super speed (generally considered to be f/1.2 and faster) lenses. But there was a time back in the 1950s, when such things simply did not exist. The story of how we got to where we are is a fascinating one.
It all started in 1953, when a small Japanese company, Teikoku Kogaku, introduced its very good, if rather expensive, 5cm f 1.1 lens under the Zunow brand. It was available in in M39 (Leica), Nikon "S" and Contax mounts, and was designed by Michisaburo Hamano (who previously worked at Nippon Kogaku – now Nikon). It remained the fastest lens available for a 35mm camera, until Nikon matched the speed with their 50mm f/1.1 Nikkor in 1956.
