What is Cosmicar ?

Frosty66 · 05-27-2017, 03:18 PM

It looks to me that these are the same lens but one is Pentax and one Cosmicar, who actually made them and what is Cosmicar a manufacturer or just a brand ?

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

G.E.Zekai · 05-27-2017, 03:28 PM

As far as i know, Cosmicar makes or re-brands lenses in C-mount for CCTV... However, its the first time seeing this particular copy.

Frosty66 · 05-27-2017, 04:16 PM

Oh I see, this just looks like the Pentax with a different name on it.

**boriscleto** · 05-27-2017, 05:59 PM - **2 Likes**

Cosmicar was Asahi's brand for CCTV lenses. But they released 3 lenses in K-mount. They are equivalent to Takumar (Bayonet) lenses...(28mm/2.8, 70-200/4, & the 28-80 in KA mount)

**paulh** · 05-27-2017, 06:17 PM - **1 Like**

I have a k-mount Cosmicar A35-70/4 as well.

**boriscleto** · 05-27-2017, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by paulh

I have a k-mount Cosmicar A35-70/4 as well.

Someone should add that to the Wikipedia K-mount page

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-27-2017, 07:28 PM

I have a Cosmicar 28/2.8, has an A setting and is nice and sharp, yep made by Asahi Pentax.

sandbasser · 05-27-2017, 07:53 PM

I have an MC Cosmicar Zoom 28-80, with the "A" setting...got it at the same time as I purchased my Super Program in the 80s. (The salesman told me it was made by Pentax but I didn't believe him...and no internet or forums back then to verify.) I never really liked it that much and put it away when I got an A28-135 which is very nice but huge compared to the Cosmicar.

leekil · 05-27-2017, 09:16 PM

Are they different than the Pentax versions? Are they SMC coated?

**paulh** · 05-27-2017, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by leekil

Are they different than the Pentax versions? Are they SMC coated?

Don't think they have the SMC coating. My A35-70 says "MC". As boriscleto mentioned, these are equivalent to the old Takumar bayonet budget series of lenses. That said, my lens is very nice - colorful and sharp.

**pentaxus** · 05-27-2017, 11:14 PM

As was mentioned, Cosmicar was an economy brand made by Pentax. I worked in a camera store back then. Our Pentax salesman asked how Cosmicar lenses were selling and we mentioned that Cosmicar didn't sound good. He said that some dealers had suggested using the Takumar name and we agreed. Later, the Cosmicars became Takumars.

**PJ1** · 05-28-2017, 02:40 AM

I have a Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48 f1-1.2 c-mount which I use on the Q. It is good enough wide open (I got it for the speed) and not too much different to the Pentax 02 15-45 when stopped down.

HarisF1 · 05-28-2017, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by PJ1

I have a Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48 f1-1.2 c-mount which I use on the Q. It is good enough wide open (I got it for the speed) and not too much different to the Pentax 02 15-45 when stopped down.

I've got one too but I can't seem to get accurate focus at 8mm.
The long end focusses fine throughout the whole range. Does yours have the same issue?

**RKKS08** · 05-28-2017, 05:16 AM

As far as I know, also all Pentax labeled non-SMC K mount lenses were manufacured by Cosmicar in Taiwan.

Have a look in our database for the A 3.4-4,5/28-80. There are 2 versions with different optical designs.
The more sophisticated one was sold as "SMC Pentax-A", "made in Japan" only (and was sometimes sold bundled with the Super A body).
The version with less elements and multicoated (but not SMC) was sold branded as Pentax-A, Takumar-A, and Profile-A (and obviously - new to me - also as Cosmicar-A), all made by Cosmicar in Taiwan .
And this non-SMC version was often sold bundled with the Program A and the cheaper versions of the P series bodies.
It seems the non-SMC A-2.8/28 lenses were handled the same way.

I never saw a K mount "Cosmicar" labeled lens before, but many "Pentax" and "Profile" labeled ones, mostly from UK sellers. It seems "Cosmicar" K mount lenses were not sold in Europe, at least not in Germany and France.

**rjbrett** · 05-28-2017, 08:02 AM

I had my Cosmicar 28mm out the other day, and noticed it was made in Taiwan. I find it is quite sharp enough with good contrast, and gives colour and rendition not unlike the A f2 50mm given to me by a fellow forum member, which I am also coming to respect. Perhaps a little darker in the viewfinder, & a bit more prone to veiling flare.

I actually liked the name "Cosmicar" when I bought it, I thought it sounded good and would go with a "Porst (Enna) Weitwinkel". I'm taking a little longer coming to terms with that one.....

They don't seem to name lenses like they used to.

05-27-2017, 07:53 PM	#8
sandbasser Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Riverside, CA USA Posts: 143	I have an MC Cosmicar Zoom 28-80, with the "A" setting...got it at the same time as I purchased my Super Program in the 80s. (The salesman told me it was made by Pentax but I didn't believe him...and no internet or forums back then to verify.) I never really liked it that much and put it away when I got an A28-135 which is very nice but huge compared to the Cosmicar. Last edited by sandbasser; 05-27-2017 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Added some details.

05-28-2017, 08:02 AM	#15
rjbrett Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Brisbane Posts: 895	I had my Cosmicar 28mm out the other day, and noticed it was made in Taiwan. I find it is quite sharp enough with good contrast, and gives colour and rendition not unlike the A f2 50mm given to me by a fellow forum member, which I am also coming to respect. Perhaps a little darker in the viewfinder, & a bit more prone to veiling flare. I actually liked the name "Cosmicar" when I bought it, I thought it sounded good and would go with a "Porst (Enna) Weitwinkel". I'm taking a little longer coming to terms with that one..... They don't seem to name lenses like they used to. Last edited by rjbrett; 05-28-2017 at 08:11 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cosmicar MC 28mm 1:2.8	Chako	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	03-26-2020 05:39 AM
Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48mm/f1.0-1.2 on the Q	PJ1	Pentax Q	11	03-25-2019 02:26 PM
Cosmicar (Pentax) 135 2.8 Television lens - seeking info	SF1	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	34	07-11-2009 11:02 AM
For Sale - Sold: FS: Tamron 70-300mm Di Macro 1:2, K Cosmicar 28mm f2.8	McD	Sold Items	5	03-13-2008 08:41 PM

05-27-2017, 03:28 PM	#2
G.E.Zekai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 199	As far as i know, Cosmicar makes or re-brands lenses in C-mount for CCTV... However, its the first time seeing this particular copy.

05-27-2017, 04:16 PM	#3
Frosty66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 181 Original Poster	Oh I see, this just looks like the Pentax with a different name on it.

05-27-2017, 05:59 PM - 2 Likes	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Cosmicar was Asahi's brand for CCTV lenses. But they released 3 lenses in K-mount. They are equivalent to Takumar (Bayonet) lenses...(28mm/2.8, 70-200/4, & the 28-80 in KA mount)

05-27-2017, 06:17 PM - 1 Like	#5
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,301	I have a k-mount Cosmicar A35-70/4 as well.

05-27-2017, 06:24 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by paulh I have a k-mount Cosmicar A35-70/4 as well. Someone should add that to the Wikipedia K-mount page

05-27-2017, 07:28 PM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	I have a Cosmicar 28/2.8, has an A setting and is nice and sharp, yep made by Asahi Pentax.

05-27-2017, 09:16 PM	#9
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Are they different than the Pentax versions? Are they SMC coated?

05-27-2017, 10:05 PM	#10
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,301	Originally posted by leekil Are they different than the Pentax versions? Are they SMC coated? Don't think they have the SMC coating. My A35-70 says "MC". As boriscleto mentioned, these are equivalent to the old Takumar bayonet budget series of lenses. That said, my lens is very nice - colorful and sharp.

05-27-2017, 11:14 PM	#11
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	As was mentioned, Cosmicar was an economy brand made by Pentax. I worked in a camera store back then. Our Pentax salesman asked how Cosmicar lenses were selling and we mentioned that Cosmicar didn't sound good. He said that some dealers had suggested using the Takumar name and we agreed. Later, the Cosmicars became Takumars.

05-28-2017, 02:40 AM	#12
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,485	I have a Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48 f1-1.2 c-mount which I use on the Q. It is good enough wide open (I got it for the speed) and not too much different to the Pentax 02 15-45 when stopped down.

05-28-2017, 02:55 AM	#13
HarisF1 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 543	Originally posted by PJ1 I have a Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48 f1-1.2 c-mount which I use on the Q. It is good enough wide open (I got it for the speed) and not too much different to the Pentax 02 15-45 when stopped down. I've got one too but I can't seem to get accurate focus at 8mm. The long end focusses fine throughout the whole range. Does yours have the same issue?

05-28-2017, 05:16 AM	#14
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	As far as I know, also all Pentax labeled non-SMC K mount lenses were manufacured by Cosmicar in Taiwan. Have a look in our database for the A 3.4-4,5/28-80. There are 2 versions with different optical designs. The more sophisticated one was sold as "SMC Pentax-A", "made in Japan" only (and was sometimes sold bundled with the Super A body). The version with less elements and multicoated (but not SMC) was sold branded as Pentax-A, Takumar-A, and Profile-A (and obviously - new to me - also as Cosmicar-A), all made by Cosmicar in Taiwan . And this non-SMC version was often sold bundled with the Program A and the cheaper versions of the P series bodies. It seems the non-SMC A-2.8/28 lenses were handled the same way. I never saw a K mount "Cosmicar" labeled lens before, but many "Pentax" and "Profile" labeled ones, mostly from UK sellers. It seems "Cosmicar" K mount lenses were not sold in Europe, at least not in Germany and France.