Soligor 1:2.8 f=28mm -- 21+ Versions

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 284 Location: New Zealand

Hi, first time poster, have been reading this and other threads with some interest, and may have something to add, and, to further muddy the waters, as it were. I recently bid on a Soligor 100-200mm F/5.6, pictured below, Serial # KA-101212

A further search showed a Kawanon lens, very similar, and even having a similar serial#:

Based on this, KA could also be Kawanon. Interestingly, I thought the lens was so distinctively styled it would not have been made by a different manufacturer, but on another post in'The Big Soligor Thread" this picture showing a '9' serial was posted (sorry, I don't know how to link directly to the post)

visualopsins · Expire: 2021-06-22

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3608 Location: Calgary

CaptainVideo · Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 10:06 pm Post subject:

According to this Japanese website, Miranda Society of Japan ...

http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/miranda/MSJ_html/lens/index.html

... some of the early Miranda lenses were Kowa made Soligor marketed lenses. Some labeled Kowa Miranda and some labeled Soligor Miranda. These were distinguished by having a 'K' prefix before the serial number. However given the available backing information on the 'K' for Kowa Soligor lenses, why is 'K' for Kowa not added to the Soligor Manufacturer Code chart? I see lots of listings online for the Code chart and none of them have 'K' = Kowa listed.

This series of Kowa made lenses are perhaps some of the best and most unique lenses Soligor would have ever sold, IMO as they represent some of the earliest of the Kowa Prominar lenses. And Prominar lenses are not only revered in the cinematography world, but they have been used to film many highly acclaimed movies, such as Rocky and The Godfather II. So to my thinking, having a set of Prominar lenses in the 'made by Soligor' fold would be highly significant.

I think I remember seeing other lenses labeled just as Soligor and not Soligor Miranda with 'K' for Kowa prefixes. Which possibly means that Kowa made lenses for Soligor other than just for Miranda camera mounts.

If anyone can provide any clarification or further info on the 'K' prefix Soligor lenses I would love to see it. Piecing the Kowa / Soligor connection together has been a bit cryptic.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I suspect that Kowa was dropped as a supplier before any systematic serial number system was implemented.

Same with Vivitar.

Serial numbering is a current value to the manufacturer or vendor, but looking back (very much) would not be relevant. These companies were not in the business of nostalgia when they were operating.

I also suspect that Kowa got out of the generic third-party lens making business to concentrate on areas where it could obtain better margins by leveraging some aspects of superior technical capability. I don't think there are any identifiable Kowa third-party generic SLR lenses after the very early 1960's.

Kowa may have failed on things like its own-branded 35mm and medium format SLR's, each with their own lenses - and some of these were pretty wild for the time, like a 19mm medium format fisheye - but I assume they hoped for better success in this than competing in the generic market.

karthikrr · Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Posts: 23

EDIT: this fit better in the other big soligor thread, as suggested by visualopsins. So it has been reposted in the other thread ... http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1541897.html#1541897

Hi,

Not sure if I should add to this thread, or make a new one. I figured since this thread has been running for years, it should be okay to post here?

I have two 135mm f3.5 Soligors with M serial numbers. However, they are dramatically different in build and number!

First is a Chrome backed preset (I thought all presets had the aperture dial in the front? First time I have seen one with the aperture ring in the back), with serial number M17****. The second is a black preset with serial number M76*****. The black one has a 49mm filter ring, while the chrome ringed version is smaller, but came with a hood (not in the pictures). Black is 12 blades, chrome is 8 blades. Pictures as below.

#1

#2

#3

#4 - 8 blade chrome

#5 - 12 blade black

From what I read on this forum and elsewhere, @Lloydy is investigating M serial numbers, and the top theories are either Tokina or Miranda. Given the big difference in the serial number format itself and the completely different build of both lenses, I wonder if the M series are also like the H series, meaning M1xxx is different from M7xxx manufacturer?

I also have a Hanimex 135/3.5 that looks nearly identical in build to the black Soligor, which has serial H7****. The size is identical, the barrel is physically identical, the distance scale is the same colours, but with ft. and m inverted on the Hanimex. Both 12 blades, both 49mm filter thread. The main thing though is that the serial number is H7 on this while M7 on the Soligor. Pictures of the Hanimex below:

#1

#2

#3

Hopefully this helps understand the Soligor world a bit better.

visualopsins · Expire: 2021-06-22

Whoa! These latest posts maybe belong in the other great Soligor thread http://forum.mflenses.com/the-big-soligor-thread-t33736.html

karthikrr · Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Posts: 23

Ooops, I thought this was the big soligor thread... I had read these long ago, and when google told me this is where I should post, I didn't think to question her... 😛

Are there mods on this site who can move things around, or should I just copy and paste into the other thread myself?

visualopsins · Expire: 2021-06-22

karthikrr · Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Posts: 23

Ah, I just copied and pasted there, so a repost ... Am editing the post in this thread to include the link there instead, so others who come here know where the discussion continues Smile

Oldhand · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:06 am Post subject: