Originally posted by shutterbob
Cosmicar/TOU-Five Star??????? Would like some advice on a Cosmicar TOU/Five Star 70-200mm Macro Zoom K Mount with an "Auto" designation and with MC but not SMC coating. I've been offered one (under $40) in "mint" condition and am interested. Only thing I can discover is that Toyo/Cosmicar is a division of Pentax who made some SLR's for Pentax under the Five Star designation. My first inclination is that Pentax would surely have insisted upon Cosmicar exercising some degree of quality if this lens was made to their spec/mount, but one never knows depending upon the targeted market. Does anyone in the forum possess a Cosmicar Five Star Lens, and if so, what is your impression?
Thanks,
shutterbob
I found a Tou Five Star 70-200 f4 (KA mount) with Cosmicar etched on the barrel. Got it with a Focal (K-Mart?) 2X teleconverter. Maybe I stumbled on to a remarkably good copy because it is definitely sharper than my Pentax A 70-210 and my Pentax M 200mm f4. It is also remarkably sharp when paired with the Focal 2X teleconverter which also works very well with a number of other 100-200mm range lenses.