Vintage lens ID

55bravo · 10-31-2021, 08:01 PM - **1 Like**

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I inherited this lens some years ago and never used it much. I decided to perhaps sell it and I am finding numerous lenses similar to this one. Does anyone know anything about this lens and is what it is actually worth? I have found similar lenses for sale along with a wide range in value. Any ideas?

Thanks 55bravo

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**GUB** · 10-31-2021, 08:13 PM

Welcome 55 Bravo to the forums.
You have a classic lens there. If you are seeing differences of value online it could be you are confusing 55mm 1:2 lenses with this one - a 55mm 1:1.2
It is worth upwards of 10x the value of the 55 1:2 lenses.

stevebrot · 10-31-2021, 09:47 PM

Your lens was made by Cosina (hence Cosinon).* The quality is high and and the lens is desirable and highly regarded.

As for value...I don't know if this eBay listing is indicative of current pricing, but it may give you an idea of value. I would expect $200 USD or more depending on condition.

Cosina MC Cosinon-s 55mm f/1.2 Lens for Pentax PK | eBay

Steve

* There is another K-mount variant labeled as Cosina or Cosinon (no S) and made by a company called Tomioka. It is also desirable and highly regarded.

CarbonR · 11-01-2021, 12:29 AM

I had a Porst 55/1.2 that looked same as this one. Of course faster than a classic 50/1.4, but lower performances until f/2.8-4.

**i_trax** · 11-01-2021, 01:13 AM - **1 Like**

Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**pepperberry farm** · 11-01-2021, 03:54 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 55bravo

I inherited this lens some years ago and never used it much. I decided to perhaps sell it and I am finding numerous lenses similar to this one. Does anyone know anything about this lens and is what it is actually worth? I have found similar lenses for sale along with a wide range in value. Any ideas?

Thanks 55bravo

the Cosinon-S has not been reviewed in our lens reviews - that link above is for another Cosina 55/1.2; the Cosinon-S is Cosina's own design/manufacture of this focal length/aperture speed...

the non-Cosinon is supposedly a Tomioka design, manufactured by Cosina....

the Porst 55/1.2 is a third design on this format and (apparently) still has a lot of FUD being shared on the internet, as it is a great lens... (I have several 55/1.2 lenses)

angerdan · 11-01-2021, 05:47 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 55bravo

Does anyone know anything about this lens and is what it is actually worth?

Any ideas?

$350-400:
Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**pepperberry farm** · 11-01-2021, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by angerdan

$350-400:
Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

that's a good start, but not the same lens...

angerdan · 11-01-2021, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

that's a good start, but not the same lens...

What makes you sure?
Brand, Series, focal length and aperture are the same.

The only other Cosina 55mm f1.2 lens listed in the Third-Party Lens Reviews is not the same lens like the TO have (because the product photo shows an Cosinon AUTO MC):
Cosina 55mm Cosinon MC f/1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

So if you're right, there are three Cosina 55mm f1.2 Lenses. Is that correct?

**pepperberry farm** · 11-01-2021, 06:53 AM

yes - we don't have the Cosinon-S reviewed as of yet...

the OP's lens is the Cosinon-S....

angerdan · 11-01-2021, 07:15 AM

Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions?
Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

How can we know?

**pres589** · 11-01-2021, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

I've not heard of this variant before. Cosina seemed to be on a real roll there for a while with 55mm f1.2's.

I agree with pepperberry, this is not the same lens as those that have been reviewed here before. I'm curious what the differences are and how it performs.

If ebay prices are real and to be believed, I agree that this is probably a $400 lens, as a guess. I've been watching Cosina-made 55 1.2's for a while now (but I never want to spend the money).

**pepperberry farm** · 11-01-2021, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by angerdan

Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions?
Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

How can we know?

no idea - we are relying on the reviewers to be discerning and specific when they post a review...

55bravo · 11-01-2021, 07:32 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by angerdan

Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions?
Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

How can we know?

Thanks for all your help. If I could get $300 it would be gone immediately. I think I will keep it for now and compare it to the other 50mm lenses I have to see what makes it special. I saw that ebay link but there are no pics of the front lens head on so I do not know if it is exactly what I have.

Again I want to say thanks to all of you.

55bravo

**pepperberry farm** · 11-01-2021, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by 55bravo

Thanks for all your help. If I could get $300 it would be gone immediately. I think I will keep it for now and compare it to the other 50mm lenses I have to see what makes it special. I saw that ebay link but there are no pics of the front lens head on so I do not know if it is exactly what I have.

Again I want to say thanks to all of you.

55bravo

there are photos of the lens in the eBay ad....

10-31-2021, 09:47 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Your lens was made by Cosina (hence Cosinon).* The quality is high and and the lens is desirable and highly regarded. As for value...I don't know if this eBay listing is indicative of current pricing, but it may give you an idea of value. I would expect $200 USD or more depending on condition. Cosina MC Cosinon-s 55mm f/1.2 Lens for Pentax PK \| eBay Steve * There is another K-mount variant labeled as Cosina or Cosinon (no S) and made by a company called Tomioka. It is also desirable and highly regarded. Last edited by stevebrot; 11-01-2021 at 12:24 PM.

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10-31-2021, 08:13 PM	#2
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Welcome 55 Bravo to the forums. You have a classic lens there. If you are seeing differences of value online it could be you are confusing 55mm 1:2 lenses with this one - a 55mm 1:1.2 It is worth upwards of 10x the value of the 55 1:2 lenses.

11-01-2021, 12:29 AM	#4
CarbonR Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France Posts: 363	I had a Porst 55/1.2 that looked same as this one. Of course faster than a classic 50/1.4, but lower performances until f/2.8-4.

11-01-2021, 01:13 AM - 1 Like	#5
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

11-01-2021, 03:54 AM - 1 Like	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by 55bravo I inherited this lens some years ago and never used it much. I decided to perhaps sell it and I am finding numerous lenses similar to this one. Does anyone know anything about this lens and is what it is actually worth? I have found similar lenses for sale along with a wide range in value. Any ideas? Thanks 55bravo the Cosinon-S has not been reviewed in our lens reviews - that link above is for another Cosina 55/1.2; the Cosinon-S is Cosina's own design/manufacture of this focal length/aperture speed... the non-Cosinon is supposedly a Tomioka design, manufactured by Cosina.... the Porst 55/1.2 is a third design on this format and (apparently) still has a lot of FUD being shared on the internet, as it is a great lens... (I have several 55/1.2 lenses)

11-01-2021, 05:47 AM - 1 Like	#7
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by 55bravo Does anyone know anything about this lens and is what it is actually worth? Any ideas? $350-400: Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

11-01-2021, 05:55 AM	#8
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by angerdan $350-400: Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database that's a good start, but not the same lens...

11-01-2021, 06:45 AM	#9
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by pepperberry farm that's a good start, but not the same lens... What makes you sure? Brand, Series, focal length and aperture are the same. The only other Cosina 55mm f1.2 lens listed in the Third-Party Lens Reviews is not the same lens like the TO have (because the product photo shows an Cosinon AUTO MC): Cosina 55mm Cosinon MC f/1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database So if you're right, there are three Cosina 55mm f1.2 Lenses. Is that correct?

11-01-2021, 06:53 AM	#10
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	yes - we don't have the Cosinon-S reviewed as of yet... the OP's lens is the Cosinon-S....

11-01-2021, 07:15 AM	#11
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions? Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database How can we know?

11-01-2021, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#12
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I've not heard of this variant before. Cosina seemed to be on a real roll there for a while with 55mm f1.2's. I agree with pepperberry, this is not the same lens as those that have been reviewed here before. I'm curious what the differences are and how it performs. If ebay prices are real and to be believed, I agree that this is probably a $400 lens, as a guess. I've been watching Cosina-made 55 1.2's for a while now (but I never want to spend the money).

11-01-2021, 07:24 AM	#13
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by angerdan Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions? Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database How can we know? no idea - we are relying on the reviewers to be discerning and specific when they post a review...

11-01-2021, 07:32 AM - 1 Like	#14
55bravo New Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by angerdan Is it possible that all the reviews written here are for different/other lens versions? Cosina 55mm F1.2 Lens Reviews - Cosina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database How can we know? Thanks for all your help. If I could get $300 it would be gone immediately. I think I will keep it for now and compare it to the other 50mm lenses I have to see what makes it special. I saw that ebay link but there are no pics of the front lens head on so I do not know if it is exactly what I have. Again I want to say thanks to all of you. 55bravo

11-01-2021, 07:51 AM	#15
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by 55bravo Thanks for all your help. If I could get $300 it would be gone immediately. I think I will keep it for now and compare it to the other 50mm lenses I have to see what makes it special. I saw that ebay link but there are no pics of the front lens head on so I do not know if it is exactly what I have. Again I want to say thanks to all of you. 55bravo there are photos of the lens in the eBay ad....