Auto Sears 105mm f/2.8 M42 [Rare]

X Man · 09-14-2008, 06:29 PM

Hello, all. I recently won an eBay auction for an Auto Sears M42 mount 105mm f/2.8 lens. The photos in the listing were poor and I could barely discern that it was an M42 mount piece. Also, I doubted that it was 105mm, so I asked the seller. He/She replied that the lens said Auto Sears 105mm f:2.8. So, I decided that unless it went crazy, I'd own it.

I own it, and it's in excellent condition and it's a great lens. I can't find any info on this piece, and I'm pretty sure it's pretty rare. I've come to the conclusion that the lens is a re-badged Mamiya-Sekor, possibly an early ES version. Much less likely an SX version.

Below, I've posted several photos of the lens and would love to hear your thoughts and perhaps a more solid ID of the thing. BTW, the front edge of the focus ring is chrome but it's not showing well in the photos. Also, the filter ring is 49mm and there are 8 aperture blades.

Regards,
Mike

Last edited by X Man; 06-04-2009 at 12:42 PM.

Duh_Vinci · 09-14-2008, 06:58 PM

Looks to be in great shape! Now mount it and take some photos! Never seen m42 Sears lens

Regards,
D

Frank Fletcher · 09-14-2008, 11:09 PM

I have a 55mm f2.8 auto-sears. I also have a 50mm 1.4 super-tak. I also have a 50mm f/2 smc pentax-m.

Of the 3, the auto-sears provides the best color and contrast!

It's sufficiently different in focal length for comparison to my new 40mm ltd.... but I might do it anyways - its that impressive.

Frank Fletcher · 09-17-2008, 02:54 AM

Well, today I bought (got ripped off) a Sears 135mm f2.8 M42 mount lens. I bought it from a guy named ... (I was so peeved, I was about to name names!). Anyway, I bought it off of Craigslist for more than was advertised, based on the guys word.

Anyways - I'm eager to test it out. It has several scuffs on the outside but the glass and aperture are clean. It's an 8-blade which beats the old Pentax/Takumar 135s, all of the ones I've tested had pretty harsh bokeh.

I took a chance on the 135 just on the strength of the 55 f1.4 I mentioned above. I'll let you know how it compares (I have a SMCTak 135 f3.5).

As an aside, my gfs Sigma APO DG 70-300 at 135 beats every other 135 I have.

Nesster · 09-17-2008, 03:54 AM

x-man, that's a beauty! Let's see some fotos from it. Sears I think is way retro-anti-cool cool, they sold some excellent glass and cameras.

X Man · 09-17-2008, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

x-man, that's a beauty! Let's see some fotos from it. Sears I think is way retro-anti-cool cool, they sold some excellent glass and cameras.

Thanks, and that goes for everyone. I knew that I'd never seen one before and I really wanted it. Now, I must say that I've owned a 28mm f2.8 Auto Sears M42 lens and also the famous 55mm f1.4. The 28mm was a bit rough with scratches on the front element. I thought it was OK, but I don't love it. The 55mm f1.4 was disappointing, I'm afraid. Everything was great, except I found the bokeh to be harsh, a deal breaker for a fast 50 IMHO. I much preferred a 50mm f1.4 Super Takumar.

I'll post some sample shots eventually from this 105mm. I have shot a few with it but It's strongest suite is portraits and I don't have any willing subjects ATM. I may go out with some extension tubes and try some "macro" shots with it. So far, I'd say soft wide open, with regards to distant or small objects. Also, I wouldn't say it was all that sharp stopped down either. The bokeh is very nice however and the colors are extremely rich.

Regards,
mike

CGJung · 10-15-2008, 12:32 PM

The 105/2.8 lens construction is pretty similar with my 135/2.8 M42 Sears, it just the later is a bit longer. I own few of Sears screw mount lenses and they all superb. The 55/2.8 Macro with 1:1 extender is Komine made and similar to Vivitar's 55/2.8. The 55/1.4, I believe was made by Mamiya or Ricoh as they have similar lens construction but different casing/outlook. I have two of these, and they also good performers.

casualcollector · 10-15-2008, 02:20 PM

Your Sears 105/2.8 dates back to the days when Sears was selling the Ricoh Singlex as the Sears TLS, late 60s - early 70s. Your lens can be found labeled as Mamiya/Sekor, Rikenon, Sears, Vivitar-T4 and Soligor-T4 and fixed mount. Probably others too. Tokina, I think then known as Tokyo Koki is probably the manufacturer. I think they in turn were tied in with Mamiya's Setagaya Koki lens manufacturing facility. Check Ron Herron's Mamiya site for more on Setagaya Koki, A Little Mamiya History. Take a look at Roland Stauber's site to see the late 60s- early 70s Mamiya lenses and their resemblance to the Sears unit. M42 Lenses Cosmetic differences, for sure, but of the same family.

georgweb · 10-15-2008, 04:36 PM

@casualcollector,
good points you are making. With your help, I could finally identify my copy of this lens as a T4 mount, thanks :-) BTW is this by chance your pages?

@Mike / Xman,
Mine has 8 blades and 49mm filter thread too, and a very small sliding hood. It reads 'Auto Vivitar 135mm 1:2.8 No. 37xxxxx' on the front and as I always go by this table then that must be Tokina. Near limit on this one reads 5 feet. You're right about so-so resolution but cracky colors, here's an over-the-head shot to prove it.

Click on the pic to view it in larger size

M42/T4 Vivitar/Tokina 105/2.8 on K100D. No PP, WB daylight, ISO800, 1/20s., f/5.6(?), Pentax Shake Reduction
All the best, Georg (the other)

casualcollector · 10-15-2008, 05:20 PM

George. Yes, that's my site. It's been inactive for a while.

X-Man. Looks like your lens is in great condition. I have the 200/3.5 Sears lens from this family, also the Sears Macro mentioned above. I was never sure who manufactured it but it didn't seem to fit into the Tokina family.

09-14-2008, 06:29 PM	#1
X Man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 478	Auto Sears 105mm f/2.8 M42 [Rare] Hello, all. I recently won an eBay auction for an Auto Sears M42 mount 105mm f/2.8 lens. The photos in the listing were poor and I could barely discern that it was an M42 mount piece. Also, I doubted that it was 105mm, so I asked the seller. He/She replied that the lens said Auto Sears 105mm f:2.8. So, I decided that unless it went crazy, I'd own it. I own it, and it's in excellent condition and it's a great lens. I can't find any info on this piece, and I'm pretty sure it's pretty rare. I've come to the conclusion that the lens is a re-badged Mamiya-Sekor, possibly an early ES version. Much less likely an SX version. Below, I've posted several photos of the lens and would love to hear your thoughts and perhaps a more solid ID of the thing. BTW, the front edge of the focus ring is chrome but it's not showing well in the photos. Also, the filter ring is 49mm and there are 8 aperture blades. Regards, Mike Last edited by X Man; 06-04-2009 at 12:42 PM.

10-15-2008, 04:36 PM	#9
georgweb Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,386	@casualcollector, good points you are making. With your help, I could finally identify my copy of this lens as a T4 mount, thanks :-) BTW is this by chance your pages? @Mike / Xman, Mine has 8 blades and 49mm filter thread too, and a very small sliding hood. It reads 'Auto Vivitar 135mm 1:2.8 No. 37xxxxx' on the front and as I always go by this table then that must be Tokina. Near limit on this one reads 5 feet. You're right about so-so resolution but cracky colors, here's an over-the-head shot to prove it. Click on the pic to view it in larger size M42/T4 Vivitar/Tokina 105/2.8 on K100D. No PP, WB daylight, ISO800, 1/20s., f/5.6(?), Pentax Shake Reduction All the best, Georg (the other) Last edited by georgweb; 10-15-2008 at 04:51 PM.

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09-14-2008, 06:58 PM	#2
Duh_Vinci Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,300	Looks to be in great shape! Now mount it and take some photos! Never seen m42 Sears lens Regards, D

09-14-2008, 11:09 PM	#3
Frank Fletcher Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 257	I have a 55mm f2.8 auto-sears. I also have a 50mm 1.4 super-tak. I also have a 50mm f/2 smc pentax-m. Of the 3, the auto-sears provides the best color and contrast! It's sufficiently different in focal length for comparison to my new 40mm ltd.... but I might do it anyways - its that impressive.

09-17-2008, 02:54 AM	#4
Frank Fletcher Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 257	Well, today I bought (got ripped off) a Sears 135mm f2.8 M42 mount lens. I bought it from a guy named ... (I was so peeved, I was about to name names!). Anyway, I bought it off of Craigslist for more than was advertised, based on the guys word. Anyways - I'm eager to test it out. It has several scuffs on the outside but the glass and aperture are clean. It's an 8-blade which beats the old Pentax/Takumar 135s, all of the ones I've tested had pretty harsh bokeh. I took a chance on the 135 just on the strength of the 55 f1.4 I mentioned above. I'll let you know how it compares (I have a SMCTak 135 f3.5). As an aside, my gfs Sigma APO DG 70-300 at 135 beats every other 135 I have.

09-17-2008, 03:54 AM	#5
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	x-man, that's a beauty! Let's see some fotos from it. Sears I think is way retro-anti-cool cool, they sold some excellent glass and cameras.

09-17-2008, 11:57 AM	#6
X Man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 478 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster x-man, that's a beauty! Let's see some fotos from it. Sears I think is way retro-anti-cool cool, they sold some excellent glass and cameras. Thanks, and that goes for everyone. I knew that I'd never seen one before and I really wanted it. Now, I must say that I've owned a 28mm f2.8 Auto Sears M42 lens and also the famous 55mm f1.4. The 28mm was a bit rough with scratches on the front element. I thought it was OK, but I don't love it. The 55mm f1.4 was disappointing, I'm afraid. Everything was great, except I found the bokeh to be harsh, a deal breaker for a fast 50 IMHO. I much preferred a 50mm f1.4 Super Takumar. I'll post some sample shots eventually from this 105mm. I have shot a few with it but It's strongest suite is portraits and I don't have any willing subjects ATM. I may go out with some extension tubes and try some "macro" shots with it. So far, I'd say soft wide open, with regards to distant or small objects. Also, I wouldn't say it was all that sharp stopped down either. The bokeh is very nice however and the colors are extremely rich. Regards, mike

10-15-2008, 12:32 PM	#7
CGJung Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 92	The 105/2.8 lens construction is pretty similar with my 135/2.8 M42 Sears, it just the later is a bit longer. I own few of Sears screw mount lenses and they all superb. The 55/2.8 Macro with 1:1 extender is Komine made and similar to Vivitar's 55/2.8. The 55/1.4, I believe was made by Mamiya or Ricoh as they have similar lens construction but different casing/outlook. I have two of these, and they also good performers.

10-15-2008, 02:20 PM	#8
casualcollector Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 41	Your Sears 105/2.8 dates back to the days when Sears was selling the Ricoh Singlex as the Sears TLS, late 60s - early 70s. Your lens can be found labeled as Mamiya/Sekor, Rikenon, Sears, Vivitar-T4 and Soligor-T4 and fixed mount. Probably others too. Tokina, I think then known as Tokyo Koki is probably the manufacturer. I think they in turn were tied in with Mamiya's Setagaya Koki lens manufacturing facility. Check Ron Herron's Mamiya site for more on Setagaya Koki, A Little Mamiya History. Take a look at Roland Stauber's site to see the late 60s- early 70s Mamiya lenses and their resemblance to the Sears unit. M42 Lenses Cosmetic differences, for sure, but of the same family.

10-15-2008, 05:20 PM	#10
casualcollector Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 41	George. Yes, that's my site. It's been inactive for a while. X-Man. Looks like your lens is in great condition. I have the 200/3.5 Sears lens from this family, also the Sears Macro mentioned above. I was never sure who manufactured it but it didn't seem to fit into the Tokina family.