[smurofxatnep]

Been searchin' the web for details on this lens, picked it up today for cheap. Anyone had any experience, or some backstory?

[Lowell Goudge]

Looks very similar to my rikenon 135/2.8

How many blades, and does it have a built in hood that extends about 15mm?

Look also at the rear element retaining ring and tell me if it is shiny black anodized. If so you will have an issue with internal reflections off the sensor until you paint it flat black

[smurofxatnep]

Not sure about the lens hood, the front element is set back a little as seen in the pic. The iris has 8 blades. I can't identify the rear element retaining ring or if it is shiny black. Guess ill just have to test it out when I get my m42 adapter.

EDIT: I followed up on some of your information about reflections. I don't know exactly what I am looking for inside of the lens - but once I am able to shoot with it I will look for reflections

[Lowell Goudge]

Note focal was KMart

[RioRico]

Note focal was KMart

I have a genuine K-Mart Focal 135/2.8 in KR mount, marked FOCAL MC AUTO. All the Focal and Sears 135's (and others) that I've seen follow that naming pattern. Nary a TELE-FOCAL nor TELE-SEARS amongst them.

I haven't seen any 135's looking like this, not even Auto Rikenon's, but the H in the serial number may be a clue to the lensmaker.

EDIT: I just did a quick gargle and can't find any hits on TELE-FOCAL. I'll guess that the Mystery Lens is from a glass foundary that specialized in production runs of 100 with any specific nameplate. A hundred Sunshine's, then a hundred Tele-Focal's, then a hundred Phoenix's, etc.

[rhodopsin]

I have one of these in Vemar brand.

[bobpur]

Hi

It is a Tokina the "H" in the serial # tells it.
I have a 200mm that is identical .

[CEWren]

I have a sears auto 135 2.8 and they look almost identical.. except the face markings. would be fun to have all these different names side by side in a test to see their differences!

[RioRico]

I have a sears auto 135 2.8 and they look almost identical.. except the face markings. would be fun to have all these different names side by side in a test to see their differences!

Focal (K-Mart) and Sears and other retailers and distributors often obtained bodies and lenses from the same excellent makers. Ricoh was a common supplier, and Cosina and Tomioka. (And my Rokinon M42's seem to be in the same family.) I have yet to run into a bad Focal or Sears prime. Zooms are another matter, only because zoom technology was more primitive then. Still, my favorite portrait zoom is an old M42 Sears-Tokina 55-135/3.5. And Korean-made (Samyang) Sears and Focal (and Albinar) zooms of 70-210/4 and 80-200/4 are pretty decent, as long as care is taken with light and hoods. Just watch out for old varifocal zooms with floating maximum apertures, like f/3.5-4.5. Those are usually cheaper, and the IQ reflects that.

[CEWren]

. Just watch out for old varifocal zooms with floating maximum apertures, like f/3.5-4.5. Those are usually cheaper, and the IQ reflects that. __________________

yeah, like my 60-300. I like the fixed 4.0 80-200 much better....

[Vasyl]

Got recently Focal 135mm in either Exacta or Topcon RE mount and converted it to K-mount with RioRico's help.
I was about to post some pictures , but decide to check if anybody has already done so and found this thread.
Well, mine is even more differs from what I was able to find in internet and within this thread.
It has 10 blade iris...
Funny lens to play with, it is swirling like Helioses wide open but very bright and with good color rendering... focusing wide open is a nightmare...
Some pictures (the lens too)