Soligor Macro 100-300 f/5, opinions?

chris_zeel

I went looking for a long telephoto around 300mm lens and stumbled upon a Soligor Macro 100-300 f/5 in AI(g) mount.

Any user and/or opinions?

I believe this lens might also appear branded differently.

pictures of the ad:

#1

#2

#3

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I don't have that Soligor, although I do have a few, I like them. I think they are generally on the better side of average, out of the dozen or so Soligors I've got there is only one that I think is a bad lens, and I have 3 or 4 that I think are actually rather good. They are a mixed bag, which is why I never pay a lot for them.

That 100-300 has the same semi gloss finish as a couple of Soligor CD lenses that I have, which was their top end range, and the serial number indicates it might be a Tokina made lens.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I agree, very likely a Tokina.
There is a rather similar Vivitar TX mount lens of this specification, and all those were Tokinas. So this is possibly a variant of that. The finish is different of course.

The reviews of the Vivitar version seem pretty good, given that its a late 1970s third party lens.

I have thought of getting one to try at various times, just never got around to it.
Soligors are usually decent examples of the technology of the time, always usable but not spectacular.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Yes, I also wondered if this Soligor was maybe related to a Vivitar Close Focus Auto Zoom 90-230 / 4.5 that I have in TX Mount, the semi gloss finish is different, but the sideways focal length engraving and the tripod mount lock screw are virtually identical. My Vivitar is a 37....... serial number which is Tokina.

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 565