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09-20-2013, 02:03 PM   #1
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Focal 70-210mm Macro One Touch Zoom Lens?

I looked in the third party lens section and couldn't find a match for this lens. Has anyone ever heard of it or anything similar?

Focal zoom lens

09-20-2013, 02:24 PM   #2
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Focal Zoom?

Hello Aaronjamesgray, Welcome to the Forum!
I sort of remember Focal, I had a 135mm f/2.8 tele by them in the 1970' or early '80's. If memory serves, they were the 'house brand' for one of the big camera stores, might have been Ritz Photo or someone similar. Seems they offered these (and a 35-70mm) as a 'Kit' with any of the starter camera bodies from the major (remember, this was the film era, there were many camera makers then) companies. In order of quality, the OEM lenses were best, the major 3rd parties like Vivitar, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, etc were next and these off-brands were last. They may have been manufactured by a decent 3rd party company, but to lesser specs and price. Anyone with more knowledge about this, feel free to correct me!
Anyway, I'd suggest a Vivitar Series 1 or Pentax A-series (or newer) from that era over this, although they will cost more. You generally get what you pay for!
JMO, YMMV
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09-20-2013, 02:29 PM   #3
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Thanks for the response, rbefly. I figured it would be a pretty low quality lens, but I considered picking it up anyway just to start a buildup on my lens collection. I'll probably pass on it, but it's good to know now where it came from.
09-20-2013, 02:46 PM   #4
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I have a couple of Focal lenses picked up with old film kits. From what I can tell they were KMart's house brand. Made in Japan, but I am not sure by whom. Surprisingly, not horrible lenses. While researching I came across a brochure (attached). Hope that helps!

Oh! I think some of these have the Ricoh pin, so be cautious.

Attached Images
File Type: pdf Focal Brochure K mount[1].pdf (726.1 KB, 717 views)
09-20-2013, 02:56 PM   #5
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The 70-210mm was made in Korea, it is a Samyang. I have one of them, even my bayonet mount Takumar-A (non-SMC) 70-200mm outperforms it.
09-20-2013, 02:57 PM   #6
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What a cool find! Do you have some sample images you can produce from those lenses? I'm very curious now.
09-20-2013, 03:02 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by aaronjamesgray Quote
I looked in the third party lens section and couldn't find a match for this lens. Has anyone ever heard of it or anything similar?

Focal zoom lens
There is something completely wrong in the link you posted. The picture there shows the box of a Focal 70-210mm one-touch zoom, whereas the lens in the foreground clearly is a CPC Phase2 CCT 35-70mm Macro 1:4.Apparently the lens was packed in a box that is not related to the lens at all. While Focal was just a "white-label"-brand by K-Mart, CPC is rumored to have been somewhat related to Pentax. Most of the CPC lenses look very similar to the non-SMC cheapo-lenses that Pentax sold throughout the late eighties an early nineties. However, if I where in your shoes, I'd refrain from picking up this item. E.g. the SMC Pentax FA 28-70 4.0 appears on ebay almost on a daily basis and can frequently be aquired for something like less than 50 US$. As opposed to the CPC lenses, the FA 28-70 does have a solid reputation of being a fair deal.

01-10-2014, 09:29 PM   #8
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Focal was the K-Mart brand as I recall. Not uncommon for Sears, JC Penney to do the same thing, have someone make lenses under their 'brand'. I just picked up a Focal 28mm 2.8 K mount just playing around, its decent glass (especially for 20 bucks!)
01-11-2014, 12:46 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by dubiousone Quote
Focal was the K-Mart brand as I recall. Not uncommon for Sears, JC Penney to do the same thing, have someone make lenses under their 'brand'. I just picked up a Focal 28mm 2.8 K mount just playing around, its decent glass (especially for 20 bucks!)
Yep, K Mart. It is your generic 70-210 that was common in the late 1970s through the 1980s and not worth paying much money for. That being said, it may meet your needs quite well. If so, post your photos on this lens club thread:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/31353-off-brand-club.html


Steve
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