Mo's Mystery LISTAR - Who made this lens?

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Tom ,did you manage to get the "ring" off the convertor?

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:56 am Post subject:

elliott · Joined: 16 May 2011 Posts: 180

Did you try the T mount on that part? They are both 42mm, but the thread pitch is different so one doesn't fit the other.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

I would do what elliot suggested and try the silver T mount...and hopefully it will fit.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Yes, what you have there is a standard t mount lens.
The lens side thread is m42x.75 pitch vs m42x1mm pitch for the camera thread.
If you can't unscrew the mount from the teleconverter any m42 t-mount will do. They are cheap and readily available.

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:54 am Post subject:

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

I am still wondering if that Silver T mount is like the odd threaded Tokina mount?

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Yes, exactly that.
You could get the m42 one, or whatever your actual camera mount is.
I also think that the silver ring on the tc screws off, though it may be on very tightly.

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:30 pm Post subject:

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

I have been looking through old Australian photography mags hoping to find any reference to a Listar lens...no luck so far.

tromboads · Expire: 2015-10-01

I confess to clicking on t his thread hoping for a Red Dwarf reference.

It was fun watching you guys work out what was what I confess Razz

ForenSeil · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 2726 Location: Kiel, Germany.

I'm not 100% sure but I think I've seen a very similar looking 135mm lens with same doubleaperture ring (but star-like aperture shape) labeled as "Komura" on a flew market.

Oldhand · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:29 am Post subject:

tromboads · Expire: 2015-10-01

Teheheh

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

I'm late coming into this discussion, but doesn't the lens remind us of the old 135/225 F2.8/5.6 'Twin Tamron'? The style is different but the idea's exactly the same. Back in the early 1960s I had a 135/225 f4.5 of almost exactly similar styling as this lens, same aperture scales, but with more chrome trim. I think the brand was 'Sankor'. Not sure if that helps or just muddies the waters still further . . .

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

The Tamron twin tele/converto/etc (they had various names) set is quite well known, several members here have them, and I myself have had 6-7 copies of different variants at various times.

There were two basic versions, one a tiny 135/4.5 and the other a 135/2.8 both with matched tc's. The small one was made in black, zebra and bright aluminum finishes, and in several brands. The big one did not have such extreme cosmetic variations. There are quite a few posts here on these.

This looks like it is a matched set indeed, but does not look at all like any known Tamron product, and certainly not like these two lenses. It is someone else's matched set, and quite uncommon.

Komura certainly made lenses that had a similar layout, but this does not look like a Komura product either.
I have had several old Sankors, and there were apparently two major variants of their 135/2.8s, but neither is at all similar.
In some ways it reminds me of a Kyoei, but feels not quite right.
If I had to choose a most similar lens I would have to say maybe Kawakami/Kawanon, but I would be speculating.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

And old preset Tokina also, which are extremely similar to Kawanon. The basic structure closely matches either.
But both would imply a considerable cosmetic variant here. Totally redone focus ring and preset rings.

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:02 am Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback fellas.
To make it a little easier, here is the lens on its own without the distraction of the converter.
It is yet to have a T mount fitted.

The observation that these are a matched set look to be on the money as well.
Here is a re-connected view and the knurling is identical as is the Lens Made in Japan script
OH

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:47 am Post subject:

OK, a T mount has finally arrived and fits like a glove.
And so I took it for a quick spin.
Point it anywhere but up and wide open it is not too shabby - see first pic.
Point it anywhere near horizontal and - well what do you think.
It gets worse as it is stopped down.
Number 2 and number 4 are wide open. Numbers 3 and 5 are f5.6
Hmmm ...............

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:22 am Post subject:

Ha - I have become so accustomed to shooting without a lens hood that I forgot just how badly some lenses behave without one, and how well behaved they can become with one.
Here is take two with suitably shielded lens.
Much better I think.
Again these pairs are shot firstly wide open, then @ f5.6

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Always, always use a hood, the bigger the better.

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:15 am Post subject:

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

A spiratone perhaps
Click here to see on Ebay

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18