 |
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject: Aetna Rokunar 300mm f5.6 |
|
|
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!!
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.  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
luisalegria


Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 4327 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2015-05-17
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. _________________ I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ManualFocus-G


Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 5814 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2013-05-30
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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! _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooting things: Canon EOS 6D and 5D, Samsung NX11 with Carl Zeiss T*
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 4:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 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 ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 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!
I found the match on adaptall-2.com: (edit: now adaptall-2.org)
I suppose this means that it is a decent lens then?  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ManualFocus-G


Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 5814 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2013-05-30
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Several people here have seen good results with theirs, although my example was pretty crappy to be honest! _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooting things: Canon EOS 6D and 5D, Samsung NX11 with Carl Zeiss T*
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
luisalegria


Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 4327 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2015-05-17
|
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. _________________ I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
mo


Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 6676 Location: Australia
|
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 12:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nice buy Scheimp! I have a 135 adaptamatic. You know pictures from this lens are expected!  _________________ Moira, Moderator
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
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 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. 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. 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.  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| mo wrote: | Nice buy Scheimp! I have a 135 adaptamatic. You know pictures from this lens are expected!  |
Yep, I'll try to get some test shots.
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.
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.  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 7:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| mo wrote: | You know pictures from this lens are expected!  |
Ok, here they are.
This lens has absolutely exceeded my expectations. 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.
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.
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.  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
revers


Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 573 Location: In the country just north of Toronto Canada
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
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. _________________ 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Scheimpflug


Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1895 Location: New Zealand / USA
Expire: 2011-11-18
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 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.
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.  _________________ Sigma DP1, Nikon D40 (hers ), 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) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
eccs19


Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 119
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. _________________ 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
Pentax 50mm f2.0 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
revers


Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 573 Location: In the country just north of Toronto Canada
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"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. _________________ 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|