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Aetna Rokunar 300mm f5.6
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:23 pm    Post subject: Aetna Rokunar 300mm f5.6 Reply with quote

Just picked this one up today, an Aetna Rokunar 300mm f5.6. It came to me with an inoperable aperture, a loose barrel, and no set screw in the tripod collar. But for once, the right mount!! Very Happy

I've already fixed the aperture (a stuck stop-down mechanism), as well as the barrel (three loose set screws behind the tripod collar, accessible through the tripod socket).


I don't know anything about this lens, so I'll describe it. It has a built-in sliding lens hood that is quite large:


.. and it extends a considerable length when you focus it.




The close focus is quite close, somewhere in the range of 1 to 1.5m. It gives dim blueish reflections off of the front element, so I believe it is multi-coated, and it was made in Japan. The Nikon mount is permanent, and is not a T-mount.



With the lens and hood collapsed, it is the same length as my 30cm (300mm) Minolta TELE ROKKOR-QD, f/5.6, but the Minolta is narrower and noticeably lighter. The Aetna appears to have better coatings than the Minolta, and focuses much closer (1.5m vs 4.5m). The Minolta is a preset lens, while this Aetna is *not* a preset.


Other than that, I don't know anything, and the search is turning up results for much older Aetna lenses. Does anyone know anything about this particular model, or Aetna in general during this time period?

Thanks. Cool
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Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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luisalegria



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aetna was a brand name used by a US importer that at one time also used other well-known trademarks either by themselves or in conjunction with Aetna - "Rokunar", "Coligon", etc.

Just about everything was sold under this brand/brands, so there is no way at all to tell what you have without a picture.
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ManualFocus-G



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a carbon copy of the Tamron Adaptamatic 300/5.6 and some of the earlier Adaptall 300/5.6 designs. So it's a Tamron basically!
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:
Just about everything was sold under this brand/brands, so there is no way at all to tell what you have without a picture.


I put five pictures in the original post... are they not working?
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ManualFocus-G wrote:
That's a carbon copy of the Tamron Adaptamatic 300/5.6 and some of the earlier Adaptall 300/5.6 designs. So it's a Tamron basically!


Wow, good eye! Shocked

I found the match on adaptall-2.com: (edit: now adaptall-2.org)








I suppose this means that it is a decent lens then? Very Happy
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)


Last edited by Scheimpflug on Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:49 am; edited 1 time in total
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ManualFocus-G



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Several people here have seen good results with theirs, although my example was pretty crappy to be honest!
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Shooting things: Canon EOS 6D and 5D, Samsung NX11 with Carl Zeiss T*

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luisalegria



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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, I didn't see your pictures, I don't know why. Perhaps my work internet settings are interfering. I do see Scheimpflugs pictures though.

I also have this Tamron. I find it excellent, its my favorite 300mm at the moment.
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mo



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PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2010 12:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice buy Scheimp! I have a 135 adaptamatic. You know pictures from this lens are expected! Very Happy
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Pentax K200D,Pentax MX
Ricoh Singlex TLS,KR-5,KR-5Super,XR-10

Lenses
Auto Rikenon's 55/1.4, 1.8, 2.8... 50/1.7 Super Takumar 1.8/55...Macro Takumar F4/50... CZJ Biotar ALU M42 2/58 CZJ Tessar ALU M42 2/50CZJ DDR Flektogon Zebra M42 2.8/35
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 1.8/55 ...Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 200/3.5 Tamron SP500/8


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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ManualFocus-G wrote:
Several people here have seen good results with theirs, although my example was pretty crappy to be honest!

Well, that's good to know... I guess. Very Happy What sort of problems did yours show? Also, were you testing yours on the 5D?


luisalegria wrote:
I also have this Tamron. I find it excellent, its my favorite 300mm at the moment.

Great news. Cool Do you use yours on your Pentax DSLR or on your film bodies?


I'm wondering if there was just a lot of sample variation between these lenses, or if the full-frame vs digital crop usage makes the difference... Either way, I'm happy to learn that it is a Tamron as opposed to a complete no-name lens maker. Wink
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mo wrote:
Nice buy Scheimp! I have a 135 adaptamatic. You know pictures from this lens are expected! Very Happy


Yep, I'll try to get some test shots. Cool

I think that with any new lens, you pretty much have to take it somewhere and leave the rest of your lenses behind for a bit. Just walk around with it and get a feel for the characteristics. Otherwise, if you don't know what it is good at (and what it is NOT good at), you won't ever know when to take the lens or when to grab it out of your bag. Wink


I'm still not entirely sure when I will use this one, to be honest... For flexibility in normal use, the D40's kit 18-55 combined with the Vivitar series 1 70-210 is very hard to beat... I've been looking forward to finishing the modifications on my 300mm preset Minolta, as it's size & weight would make it much less intrusive as an "extra" lens to carry around... This Aetna might be a better lens (who knows, haven't tested either one yet), but it's weight and bulk might be too much to carry around for general use unless I leave the 70-210 at home... We'll see what happens. Very Happy
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mo wrote:
You know pictures from this lens are expected! Very Happy


Ok, here they are. Cool

This lens has absolutely exceeded my expectations. Shocked I put it on the D40 and took it out on a cold overcast afternoon (just starting to snow) and shot at ISO 400 & 800 while shivering, and this is what I got. Very Happy


ISO 400, 1/400 second, f/8. Test of infinity and close focus abilities:




ISO 800, 1/200 second, f/8. I wanted to see how easy it was to focus smoothly, so I picked a moving chairlift as my subject. I took 6 shots as it came toward me, and 4 of them turned out. Surprised


And finally, a 100% crop. ISO 800, 1/200 second, f/8.



I'm thoroughly impressed. It may not be the most practical focal length, but it will be hard to leave this one at home now that I know what it can do. Wink
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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revers



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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice surprise.

I am afraid it would be just too heavy on my G1, in fact the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/3.5 is.
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Ron

Olympus OM-D E-M5, 14-42 & 45/1.8.
Panasonic G1, GF1, 14-45, 45-200 & various legacy lenses.

Canon S5, Sony 1.7 Tele-converter & Raynox DCR 150 Macro converter.
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Scheimpflug



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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

revers wrote:
I am afraid it would be just too heavy on my G1, in fact the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/3.5 is.

You have the v2 Tokina version of that lens, right?

I have the v3 Komine version, and this 300mm feels a bit lighter when you lift them side-by-side. When you use them though, the difference is more pronounced - the Vivitar feels much heavier.

It's hard to describe, but I think it comes down to the fact that with the Vivitar, you really don't have anything solid to hold on to - everything moves, and in multiple directions. So when you hold the Vivitar, you *have* to hold the camera to help support the lens. With the Aetna, the focus grip only rotates, it doesn't slide, so you feel like you can support more of the lens weight with your left hand, especially when pointing the lens at larger angles up or down. The lens also has a tripod collar, which you can hold on to, or use with a tripod. Wink

The weights are all relatively close:
Vivitar S1 70-210 v2: 710g
Vivitar S1 70-210 v3: 860g
Auto Tamron 300: 795g
... and I assume that this Aetna is slightly lighter than the Auto Tamron 300mm, as the mount is non-removable and there is no auto/manual switch. So it might actually be pretty close to the weight of your Vivitar. Wink
_________________
Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers Wink), Polaroid x530, Pentax P30t, Pentax P50, (P30t/P50 K-A to Nikon F body mount conversion)
Nikon: 18-55/3.5-5.6 "G ED II DX" (F) Soligor: 28/2.8 (FL->F converted), 135/3.5 (F), 3x TC (F, modified) Kalimar: 28-85/3.5 (F)
Vivitar: 70-210/2.8-4.0 Version 3 (F), Tele 500/6.3 Preset (F), 19/3.8 (F) Minolta: 300/5.6 (SR/MC/MD pending F conversion)
Tamron: 28/2.8 (Adaptall) Panagor: 28/2.5 (FD) Aetna: 300/5.6 (F) Osawa: MC 28/2.8 (F)
Vintage Lenses: Dallmeyer: 1940s A.M. 14in 356mm f4 (ULF->M42) 1930s Adon Telephoto Taylor, Taylor & Hobson: 1880s Rapid Rectilinear 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 11.31in f/8 (LF->?)
Parts Lenses: Nikon 35-135/3.5-4.5 (F), Sigma 70-210/4.5 (F), Nikon 50/1.8 Series E (F)
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eccs19



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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've also got the Tamron version of this lens. Admittedly I was never really happy with it. I've not yet tried it on my K7. Maybe I'll have to give it another go. I did find it has really bad PF wide open, and I just didn't find it that sharp. Maybe I'll have better results on K7.
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Camera(s) - Pentax *istD & K7
Takumar Lenses - 28mm f3.5, 55mm f1.8, 100mm f4.0 1:2 macro, 105mm f2.8, 200mm f3.5, 85-210 Zoom f4.5
Tamron - 300mm f5.6, 500mm mirror f8
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revers



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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"You have the v2 Tokina version of that lens, right? "

That is correct.

After seeing your shots it this thread I went out this morning & tried something similar. See my post Sears 80-200/4.0.
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Ron

Olympus OM-D E-M5, 14-42 & 45/1.8.
Panasonic G1, GF1, 14-45, 45-200 & various legacy lenses.

Canon S5, Sony 1.7 Tele-converter & Raynox DCR 150 Macro converter.
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