500mm F/8 Samigon / Lentar

jawats · Joined: 10 Jan 2019 Posts: 9

I see this lens about quite a bit, but there are no reviews of it here or on the Pentax forums site (which I frequent). Does anyone know anything about it? I am working on mounting it to my K-1ii for some astro attempts. When I do, I'll be back for a more thorough review. Thoughts?

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Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I think it's the same as my Soligor with the rotating ND filter at the back that gives it effective apertures of f11 and f22. I haven't really tested mine properly but a few quick shots with it weren't that bad.

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 661 Location: New Zealand

I have a couple of slightly different copies of the lens, it's decent for a third party mirror. but quite big and heavy. I'm pretty sure it's a Sigma made lens, there are many versions of the same lens with quite different appearance, but all sharing the same distinctive '40-130' marking on the focus distance ring (130 if it's feet only). The ones that were sold under the Prinz brand in the UK have an 'Î£' prefix showing it to be a Sigma lens.

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1318 Location: Conwy N Wales

lens-db.com suggests it was made by meibo, but sigma sounds more likely.

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Does Samigon == Samyang? (Made in Korea)

I don't think the Soligor is the same lens, however it does appear to have similar mounting mechanics like that semi-circular adjustor...I'm pretty sure all these were T2 mount...

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

jawats · Joined: 10 Jan 2019 Posts: 9

I think it's a cousin, if not from the same designer, though there are some different points. The rotating mechanism definitely has a strong resemblance, inside and out.

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jawats · Joined: 10 Jan 2019 Posts: 9

Also, the Lens DB does list the Soligor as the same lens - https://lens-db.com/lentar-500mm-f8-mirror/

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Same is confusing for me. The two are not rebranded copies same. Likely the same manufacturer given the ND filter mechanisms appear identical. Given the different focus ring designs the two are obviously different models, yes?

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 661 Location: New Zealand

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(Sellers pics https://www.ebay.com/itm/235483917675)

I managed to locate what I think is an earlier version of the same lens, not having the same variable aperture wheel, showing the makers name. The only thing linking them all is the unusual focus marking distance which doesn't vary over the many different external housing versions the lens had, as well as the general size, much larger than later versions of the same focal length from other manufacturers. I think there's a strong possibility they are optically the same.