A lens with many names...

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

This is an Auto-Sears 300/5.5

Its also been known, with very small variations, as a Vivitar, a Soligor, a Lentar, a Mamiya, and who knows what else. According to the serial number on one Vivitar I saw, that one was made by Tokina, and since all these others are so similar, that may be the source for all of them.

There is another "no name" variety of 300/5.5 lens out there, that is considerably different from this one. So there were at least two designs of Japanese no-name 300mm's with the curious f/5.5 (why not 5.6 ? Marketing ?).

There is also a 200/3.5 lens that looks like this ones little brother, and is probably also a Tokina. I need that one, plus a rather odd macro lens, to complete my mid-1970's Auto-Sears lens collection.

This is a heavy, solid lens, like all the Sears of this period. It is a good performer I think, though I am no judge of technical quality. I have had good luck with it even with subjects in motion.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Hey, great captures!

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

wow Luis! superb shots!

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

yes, I really like 1, 3, 5 and 6

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Nice shots Very Happy

I have the 200 f3.5 it is pretty mint with a nice leather case. Send me a PM with what you think it is worth. It will never be used before my other 180's or 200's. I'm more than happy to let it go to you. Also I have a suspicion that these lenses where made by Tomioka. The barrels, metal focus ring and grip style, and the coating reflections are nearly identical to Yashinons (yashica). I have no other reasons to believe this but, feel pretty strongly base on these reasons alone. I would love to hear what you think. I come accross a lot of Sears lenses. Please let me know about the funky Macro. If I see one I will pick it up for you.

Andy

Crap photo but here it is

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

That does look like the critter ! The style is exactly right. There is a later series with rubber rings that don't match.

I base my Tokina ID on the basis of the 300/5.5 and the 90-230 zooms, which were done in a very similar style, both of which were in the Sears lineup. Vivitar carried these same lenses (to all apprearances identical), and the serial numbers for both of these (37XX..) indicated Tokina. But this is hardly proof beyond dispute. I guess it could be Tomioka - what was the relationship between Tokina and Tomioka ?

I had a picture of the Auto-Sears macro lens somewhere, I'll post it when I find it. It was a 55/2.8 I think. No, I've never heard of anything else like this from the other third party sources.

The Auto-Sears of this series were, I believe, 28,50(Ricoh I think, not the same manufacturer as the rest), 135, 200, 300, 90-230 zoom and the macro lens. If you happen to run across an Auto-Sears not in this series (like a 35, say) I would be very interested.

I will be mailing you, thank you !