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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Anyone know Super-Lentar 28mm f/2.8 (m42)
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:16 am
Post subject: Anyone know Super-Lentar 28mm f/2.8 (m42)
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:16 am
Post subject: Anyone know Super-Lentar 28mm f/2.8 (m42)
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I have recently acquired a cute looking M42 lens with a brand or manufacturer that I have not heard of. It is Super-Lentar 28mm f/2.8 (m42). Do any forum members run into this brand or manufacturer before. It is made in Japan and it has a nob that switch between A and M for the aperture.

I like its unique look with silver and black color. Filter size is 58mm and all are in metal construction. IQ is decent when I use it. On noted caveat is the non-circular opening with big spikes in f/5.6 and some middle apertures.





The well designed nob in switching between A and M. I prefer this nob over other manual focus lens as it is easy to get to without my eye leaving the viewfinder.



Here is a test picture in hiking with my 2 boys and sweetie last Sunday



I sum up my positive impressions on this lens with noted caveat of non-circular blades in f/5.6 aperture. The spikes create spiky shadow in sunlight shots.

Initial impressions & notes

http://techtheman.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-lentar-28mm-f28-m42.html

Anyone see this lens before or know anything about Super-Lentar?


Thanks,
Hin

Last edited by hintheman on Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:03 pm; edited 1 time in total


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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:16 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:16 pm
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Lentar was a photo equipment distributor based in the U.S. and bought out by G.A.F. in the 70s. It probably went away when G.A.F. got out of the photo business. Your 28/2.8 has shown up wearing many brands. Mamiya/Sekor, Rikenon, Sears, Focal(K-Mart), Soligor, Vivitar, Bushnell and others. If you search diligently you may even find it badged with its manufacturers name, Tokina.

Bill


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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:17 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:17 pm
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Hi Bill !

Yes, it looks like my Sears and Soligor T4 28/2.8's, Tokinas.

But it has a more interesting finish/cosmetics I think. Nice piece. Lentar chose all the "optional extras" when they ordered this from Tokina.

Hi Hin,

And really nice sunset ! Well done. What was your PP ?


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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:56 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:56 pm
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casualcollector wrote:
Lentar was a photo equipment distributor based in the U.S. and bought out by G.A.F. in the 70s. It probably went away when G.A.F. got out of the photo business. Your 28/2.8 has shown up wearing many brands. Mamiya/Sekor, Rikenon, Sears, Focal(K-Mart), Soligor, Vivitar, Bushnell and others. If you search diligently you may even find it badged with its manufacturers name, Tokina.

Bill


Thank you for the information. Tokina! I love tokina lens. Even some of the cheap gear in Tokina K mount serve me tremendously well. I used to have a $100 Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 and in my experience, that lens rival those in the $300 dollar range.

I have not heard of G.A.F and I don't quite know G.A.F in the 70s.

Thanks,
Hin


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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:03 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:03 pm
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luisalegria wrote:
Hi Bill !

Yes, it looks like my Sears and Soligor T4 28/2.8's, Tokinas.

But it has a more interesting finish/cosmetics I think. Nice piece. Lentar chose all the "optional extras" when they ordered this from Tokina.

Hi Hin,

And really nice sunset ! Well done. What was your PP ?


Thank you so much for the inputs. Cosmetically, added nob for A <--> M switch along with its distinctive silver and black color make the lens more interesting. I bargain it down from $30.00. In my view, it is as good as any other $50 variations of M42 lens in 28mm with f/2.8 aperture.

The only noted caveat is on the spiky circular opening in apertures such as f/5.6, f/6.0. I call this a design flaw that glows as something unique to the lens. Call me an imperfect perfectionist as the lens has spiky shadows that you can't find in a $1000 28mm lens, hence the more valuable in the design flaws

Spiky circular blades opening in f/5.6



A spiky shadow as a result


Thanks,
Hin

Last edited by hintheman on Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:07 pm; edited 1 time in total


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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:07 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:07 pm
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I remember GAF cameras (in M42). It's seem to me that had a chinon's normal lenses. If I don't wrong, Ansco and/or Gevaert were there.

Solid machine. Good camera reputation. Important sponsor at PP of 70's.

Rino.
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