How Do I Read/Use The Numbers/Colors On My Sears 60-300mm Lens?

TechGuru · 12-07-2011, 02:45 AM

An owners manual would be nice.

It's similar to these:

Kalimar 60-300mm F3.9 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Sears 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Multicoated Auto Zoom Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Actually, I think I'll take a pic of it with my kit lens in a bit and post it.

Edit: Here it is:

Last edited by TechGuru; 12-07-2011 at 03:06 AM.

Steinback · 12-07-2011, 03:22 AM

It looks like that may be a rebranded, fixed mount version of the Tamron Adaptall 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4. Try looking up the manual for that.

The green numbers on the left (1:2.8, 1:10) look like macro reproduction ratios for when the lens is in macro mode. I expect you pull the zoom ring all the way to the base, rotate it until the word "Macro" in green lines up with the reproduction ratios, the push the zoom ring away from you to increase magnification.

The pairs of lines in the middle picture (white and white 5.6, green and green 11, white and red 22) line up with the distance scale at different focal lengths and give you a depth of field readout on a 35mm sensor (film). The red line marked R probably also acts as your IR focusing offset line.

The orange numbers in the right hand image read out focal length as you zoom.

sterretje · 12-07-2011, 03:29 AM

Those lines show the depth of field for a given aperture and focal length.

Set your lens to 85mm and turn the ring so the infinity mark matches up with e.g. f/11 . The f/11 at the other side will probably be near the 12 meter mark. This will indicate that if you take a shot with aperture f/11, anything between 12 meter and infinity will be in (perceived) focus.
Those numbers apply to full frame; for APSc the difference is roughly one stop but I have to think which way (so not sure)

The read line marked R is for focusing with infra red light

RioRico · 12-07-2011, 04:59 AM

I have a slightly different version labeled PROMASTER SPECTRUM 7 MC AUTO ZOOM MACRO 1:4~5.6 f=60~300mm, the base inscribed P/K-A-R, and with a 67mm thread, not 62mm as pictured. Yes, it's by Tamron.

On mine, MACRO focus goes to 1:4 magnification and can be reached from any focal length. Push-pull to zoom, twist to focus. And watch out for the zoom creep..

The KR on the aperture ring indicates that this is a Ricoh-compatible lens. Mine has the harmless Ricoh Nub rather than the infamous toxic Ricoh Pin. You shouldn't have problems dismounting the lens. Hopefully.

Above the aperture ring is the DOF scale. The red R between f/8 and f/22 on the right side of the index dot is the IR (infrared) DOF line. The red I to the left of the index dot is the IR index mark. These matter with film, not digital.

TechGuru · 12-07-2011, 02:07 PM

Thank you all for the input.

First, yes I have done the Ricoh pin removal modification (was very easy).

Question: So what is the lowest f stop number I should be using at 300mm to avoid distortion/fringing? 16? According to the chart only 22 goes out to 300mm but it don't list the 16. Any idea why "16" is blue? Nothing else is blue.

sterretje · 12-07-2011, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by TechGuru

Question: So what is the lowest f stop number I should be using at 300mm to avoid distortion/fringing? 16? According to the chart only 22 goes out to 300mm but it don't list the 16. Any idea why "16" is blue? Nothing else is blue.

All go to 300; it's just too cluttered as the lines will be so close to each other at 300mm; just extrapolate

Same reason why f/4, f/8 and f/16 are not indicated with lines; just estimate (f/16 is somewhere between f/11 and f/22)

Don't know about the blue; maybe optimum apertures.

And to prevent fringing, just don't shoot high contrast scenes

I would say, just try it and see.

12-07-2011, 02:45 AM	#1
TechGuru Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 77	How Do I Read/Use The Numbers/Colors On My Sears 60-300mm Lens? An owners manual would be nice. It's similar to these: Kalimar 60-300mm F3.9 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Sears 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Multicoated Auto Zoom Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Actually, I think I'll take a pic of it with my kit lens in a bit and post it. Edit: Here it is: Last edited by TechGuru; 12-07-2011 at 03:06 AM.

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12-07-2011, 03:22 AM	#2
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	It looks like that may be a rebranded, fixed mount version of the Tamron Adaptall 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4. Try looking up the manual for that. The green numbers on the left (1:2.8, 1:10) look like macro reproduction ratios for when the lens is in macro mode. I expect you pull the zoom ring all the way to the base, rotate it until the word "Macro" in green lines up with the reproduction ratios, the push the zoom ring away from you to increase magnification. The pairs of lines in the middle picture (white and white 5.6, green and green 11, white and red 22) line up with the distance scale at different focal lengths and give you a depth of field readout on a 35mm sensor (film). The red line marked R probably also acts as your IR focusing offset line. The orange numbers in the right hand image read out focal length as you zoom.

12-07-2011, 03:29 AM	#3
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Those lines show the depth of field for a given aperture and focal length. Set your lens to 85mm and turn the ring so the infinity mark matches up with e.g. f/11 . The f/11 at the other side will probably be near the 12 meter mark. This will indicate that if you take a shot with aperture f/11, anything between 12 meter and infinity will be in (perceived) focus. Those numbers apply to full frame; for APSc the difference is roughly one stop but I have to think which way (so not sure) The read line marked R is for focusing with infra red light

12-07-2011, 04:59 AM	#4
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I have a slightly different version labeled PROMASTER SPECTRUM 7 MC AUTO ZOOM MACRO 1:4~5.6 f=60~300mm, the base inscribed P/K-A-R, and with a 67mm thread, not 62mm as pictured. Yes, it's by Tamron. On mine, MACRO focus goes to 1:4 magnification and can be reached from any focal length. Push-pull to zoom, twist to focus. And watch out for the zoom creep.. The KR on the aperture ring indicates that this is a Ricoh-compatible lens. Mine has the harmless Ricoh Nub rather than the infamous toxic Ricoh Pin. You shouldn't have problems dismounting the lens. Hopefully. Above the aperture ring is the DOF scale. The red R between f/8 and f/22 on the right side of the index dot is the IR (infrared) DOF line. The red I to the left of the index dot is the IR index mark. These matter with film, not digital.

12-07-2011, 02:07 PM	#5
TechGuru Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 77 Original Poster	Thank you all for the input. First, yes I have done the Ricoh pin removal modification (was very easy). Question: So what is the lowest f stop number I should be using at 300mm to avoid distortion/fringing? 16? According to the chart only 22 goes out to 300mm but it don't list the 16. Any idea why "16" is blue? Nothing else is blue.

12-07-2011, 05:21 PM	#6
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by TechGuru Question: So what is the lowest f stop number I should be using at 300mm to avoid distortion/fringing? 16? According to the chart only 22 goes out to 300mm but it don't list the 16. Any idea why "16" is blue? Nothing else is blue. All go to 300; it's just too cluttered as the lines will be so close to each other at 300mm; just extrapolate Same reason why f/4, f/8 and f/16 are not indicated with lines; just estimate (f/16 is somewhere between f/11 and f/22) Don't know about the blue; maybe optimum apertures. And to prevent fringing, just don't shoot high contrast scenes I would say, just try it and see.