The Off-Brand Club!!

stevebrot · 07-07-2008, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Big Dave

Steve,
The build quality of my Soligor lenses is very good and equal to Pentax M42 in this respect. The IQ varies according to who made the lens for Soligor and the original cost. My 70-220mm f3.5 C/D zoom is a good performer, although heavy at 3lbs. It does have a tripod mount and is all internal for focusing and zooming. I have a couple 35mm f2.8, T4 lenses that are decent, but they aren't the cheapest Soligors either. It is easy to trash a lens, but you should try one first.

Dave

Sorry for the insult...I was trying to make a joke. I have honestly wondered where the used Soligors are and why there is very little buzz on the forums. When I was first getting into photography, they were a desirable maker, particularly for zooms. Maybe we can get some great Soligor images posted on this thread and revive some interest in those lenses? (Well, maybe Soligor is not a not an off-brand, but except for old guys like me, they are not particularly well-known.)

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 07-07-2008 at 01:33 PM.

Big Dave · 07-07-2008, 02:52 PM

Steve,
My Soligors are all manual diaphram. I haven't found a K-mount T4 adapter yet. Like you I like the manual diaphram with AV mode. Control over depth of field is very nice. Of course a newer auto focus lens is much for fast action.

Dave

Originally posted by stevebrot

Sorry for the insult...I was trying to make a joke. I have honestly wondered where the used Soligors are and why there is very little buzz on the forums. When I was first getting into photography, they were a desirable maker, particularly for zooms. Maybe we can get some great Soligor images posted on this thread and revive some interest in those lenses? (Well, maybe Soligor is not a not an off-brand, but except for old guys like me, they are not particularly well-known.)

Steve

Quicksand · 07-07-2008, 03:17 PM

My contribution to this genre is here:

Ladies and Gentlemen, the ATAN 70-210mm one-touch zoom!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27977-ebay-fin...lens-what.html

(Cue the music)

Featuring a decent constant f/3.5 across the entire zoom range and multicoated optics, it's intended for Ricoh K-mount bodies, as it has the "Ricoh Pin" for auto aperture on those cameras (but doesn't have Pentax contacts), and it has the extended aperture-lever-protecting flange that prevents it from mounting unmodified on Pentax bodies. Fortunately, the flange piece just unscrewed and detached (with no apparent further effect), and the Ricoh Pin is of the rounded variety that does not tend to stick on Pentax mounts.

In any case, it's an OK lens, but I rarely reach for it.

Note the serial number: 84000031 -- probably made in 1984. I wonder how many they made. Maybe 40? It would probably be VERY VALUABLE if anybody had actually heard of it.

I put up a few pics in this followup post:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/253739-post8.html

I still have no idea of its geneaology.

**xs400** · 07-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Rexatar 135/2.8. It has a M42 screw mount. These shots from my backyard were taken with the Rexatar mounted on a K100D using a Pentax made screw mount adaptor.

This shot was taken at 1/4000, f/2.8, iso 400

stevebrot · 07-07-2008, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Quicksand

My contribution to this genre is here:

Ladies and Gentlemen, the ATAN 70-210mm one-touch zoom!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27977-ebay-fin...lens-what.html

Your original post indicated that there was a Ricoh 50/2.0 in the bag as well? Do you know anything about that lens? Is it an XR Rikenon 50/2? If I remember correctly, that lens has somewhat of a legendary reputation.

stevebrot · 07-07-2008, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by xs400

Rexatar 135/2.8. It has a M42 screw mount. These shots from my backyard were taken with the Rexatar mounted on a K100D using a Pentax made screw mount adaptor.

I knew the Rexatar would make its way here sooner or later! Welcome to the club!

Steve

wlank · 07-07-2008, 04:06 PM

Spiratone 28/2.8, T-mount w/M42 adapter.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

stevebrot · 07-07-2008, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by wlank

Spiratone 28/2.8, T-mount w/M42 adapter.

Finally! A Spiratone! Is that a pre-set diaphragm on that lens? Whooo Hooo!

Steve

MrApollinax · 07-07-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm going to throw in my Image Brand 28mm. For what I got it for I think it is great little lens:

wlank · 07-07-2008, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Finally! A Spiratone! Is that a pre-set diaphragm on that lens? Whooo Hooo!

Steve

Don't have a clue. I cheated. The lens is on loan from a friend, it's not mine. I just couldn't resist a post though.

Bill

maxwell1295 · 07-07-2008, 06:49 PM

Tele-Lentar 450mm/F6.3

stevebrot · 07-07-2008, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by MrApollinax

I'm going to throw in my Image Brand 28mm. For what I got it for I think it is great little lens...

The results confirm your opinion. Is there any information at all about the original vendor and who might have made it?

Steve

MrApollinax · 07-07-2008, 07:28 PM

Steve, here is the thread that I had posted looking for more information on this lens:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/30396-lens-id-help-please.html

My lens was made in Japan so according to wheatfield that would make it a Kiron lens.

troyz · 07-07-2008, 09:20 PM

This thread is quite timely! I just tried out my old KR-mount Albinar 28/2.8 (after removing the Ricoh Pin of Stuckness

).

View Picture EXIF

"A" mode seems to work if I dial in about -0.5 EV and stay away from wide-open or fully-stopped down aperture settings.

Quicksand · 07-07-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Your original post indicated that there was a Ricoh 50/2.0 in the bag as well? Do you know anything about that lens? Is it an XR Rikenon 50/2? If I remember correctly, that lens has somewhat of a legendary reputation.

Alas, no. It is a "P" Rikenon, which I believe is a step down from the XR. Nonetheless, it's a reasonably sharp little lens. I'll post a pic with it if I can find one.

07-07-2008, 05:16 PM	#54
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Image Auto 28mm 1:2.8 I'm going to throw in my Image Brand 28mm. For what I got it for I think it is great little lens:

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07-07-2008, 01:26 PM	#46
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by Big Dave Steve, The build quality of my Soligor lenses is very good and equal to Pentax M42 in this respect. The IQ varies according to who made the lens for Soligor and the original cost. My 70-220mm f3.5 C/D zoom is a good performer, although heavy at 3lbs. It does have a tripod mount and is all internal for focusing and zooming. I have a couple 35mm f2.8, T4 lenses that are decent, but they aren't the cheapest Soligors either. It is easy to trash a lens, but you should try one first. Dave Sorry for the insult...I was trying to make a joke. I have honestly wondered where the used Soligors are and why there is very little buzz on the forums. When I was first getting into photography, they were a desirable maker, particularly for zooms. Maybe we can get some great Soligor images posted on this thread and revive some interest in those lenses? (Well, maybe Soligor is not a not an off-brand, but except for old guys like me, they are not particularly well-known.) Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 07-07-2008 at 01:33 PM.

07-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#47
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	Steve, My Soligors are all manual diaphram. I haven't found a K-mount T4 adapter yet. Like you I like the manual diaphram with AV mode. Control over depth of field is very nice. Of course a newer auto focus lens is much for fast action. Dave Originally posted by stevebrot Sorry for the insult...I was trying to make a joke. I have honestly wondered where the used Soligors are and why there is very little buzz on the forums. When I was first getting into photography, they were a desirable maker, particularly for zooms. Maybe we can get some great Soligor images posted on this thread and revive some interest in those lenses? (Well, maybe Soligor is not a not an off-brand, but except for old guys like me, they are not particularly well-known.) Steve

07-07-2008, 03:17 PM	#48
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	My contribution to this genre is here: Ladies and Gentlemen, the ATAN 70-210mm one-touch zoom! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27977-ebay-fin...lens-what.html (Cue the music) Featuring a decent constant f/3.5 across the entire zoom range and multicoated optics, it's intended for Ricoh K-mount bodies, as it has the "Ricoh Pin" for auto aperture on those cameras (but doesn't have Pentax contacts), and it has the extended aperture-lever-protecting flange that prevents it from mounting unmodified on Pentax bodies. Fortunately, the flange piece just unscrewed and detached (with no apparent further effect), and the Ricoh Pin is of the rounded variety that does not tend to stick on Pentax mounts. In any case, it's an OK lens, but I rarely reach for it. Note the serial number: 84000031 -- probably made in 1984. I wonder how many they made. Maybe 40? It would probably be VERY VALUABLE if anybody had actually heard of it. I put up a few pics in this followup post: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/253739-post8.html I still have no idea of its geneaology.

07-07-2008, 03:54 PM	#49
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	Rexatar 135/2.8. It has a M42 screw mount. These shots from my backyard were taken with the Rexatar mounted on a K100D using a Pentax made screw mount adaptor. This shot was taken at 1/4000, f/2.8, iso 400

07-07-2008, 04:01 PM	#50
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by Quicksand My contribution to this genre is here: Ladies and Gentlemen, the ATAN 70-210mm one-touch zoom! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27977-ebay-fin...lens-what.html Your original post indicated that there was a Ricoh 50/2.0 in the bag as well? Do you know anything about that lens? Is it an XR Rikenon 50/2? If I remember correctly, that lens has somewhat of a legendary reputation.

07-07-2008, 04:03 PM	#51
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by xs400 Rexatar 135/2.8. It has a M42 screw mount. These shots from my backyard were taken with the Rexatar mounted on a K100D using a Pentax made screw mount adaptor. I knew the Rexatar would make its way here sooner or later! Welcome to the club! Steve

07-07-2008, 04:09 PM	#53
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlank Spiratone 28/2.8, T-mount w/M42 adapter. Finally! A Spiratone! Is that a pre-set diaphragm on that lens? Whooo Hooo! Steve

07-07-2008, 06:43 PM	#55
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by stevebrot Finally! A Spiratone! Is that a pre-set diaphragm on that lens? Whooo Hooo! Steve Don't have a clue. I cheated. The lens is on loan from a friend, it's not mine. I just couldn't resist a post though. Bill

07-07-2008, 06:49 PM	#56
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	Tele-Lentar 450mm/F6.3

07-07-2008, 07:03 PM	#57
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007 Original Poster	Originally posted by MrApollinax I'm going to throw in my Image Brand 28mm. For what I got it for I think it is great little lens... The results confirm your opinion. Is there any information at all about the original vendor and who might have made it? Steve

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07-07-2008, 07:28 PM	#58
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Steve, here is the thread that I had posted looking for more information on this lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/30396-lens-id-help-please.html My lens was made in Japan so according to wheatfield that would make it a Kiron lens.

07-07-2008, 11:40 PM	#60
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by stevebrot Your original post indicated that there was a Ricoh 50/2.0 in the bag as well? Do you know anything about that lens? Is it an XR Rikenon 50/2? If I remember correctly, that lens has somewhat of a legendary reputation. Alas, no. It is a "P" Rikenon, which I believe is a step down from the XR. Nonetheless, it's a reasonably sharp little lens. I'll post a pic with it if I can find one.