Mystery 'PENTAR' lens?

Charles_G · Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Hi, I'm new to the forum... hope you can help me out -

Looking for any possible info on a mystery 135mm f3.5 M42 lens labelled, 'PENTAR'.

I specifically trying to find out - is the lens made by Asahi Pentax? It seems similar to 'known' 135 Takamurs, but I can't find any other examples - anywhere online.

Here's a couple of images... thanks.

luisalegria · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:09 pm Post subject:

Hi, I'm new to the forum... hope you can help me out -

Looking for any possible info on a mystery 135mm f3.5 M42 lens labelled, 'PENTAR'.

I specifically trying to find out - is the lens made by Asahi Pentax? It seems similar to 'known' 135 Takamurs, but I can't find any other examples - anywhere online.

Here's a couple of images... thanks.

_________________
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.

luisalegria · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject:

Certainly not Pentax.

Its a distributors brand, certainly by someone trying to create some connection to a famous brand. A low marketing tactic.

I have one of these actually, in Caspeco brand, and the same lens was also sold as a Vivitar.
_________________
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.

Petzval 1840 · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject:

Hello:

When I see an item which name brand imitates to one famous, automatically I do not buy it: the intention of cheating is very clear.

Bests Regards: David.
_________________
DSLR: Pentax K 200 D

visualopsins · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

Pentar may refer to a 5-element lens formula (early Takumar 135 are 5/4).
_________________
like attracts like!

Jeff Zen · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 68

Irregardless of it's name, that is a very beautiful looking lens and I would like to see some samples of what it can do. If it works well it's a nice find!

Charles_G · Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks for the replies...

I have cross posted this question over at the Pentax Forum site:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/93913-mystery-pentar-lens.html

C.

Blue · Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 255

Actually, Pentar was used by Asahi Optical to name some of their bodies that were marketed in South Africa. Whether they used that name on the lenses I don't know but doubt since the Lenses were labeled as Takumar and Asahi Optical. They did this because of conflicts over the name with Pentacon.

Here is a version of the S on the AOHC site.

and K

http://www.aohc.it/oddse1.htm
_________________
Pentax: K, H2, H3, S3, SV (late & early), SV black, Spot F, K2 chrome, K2 black, ME F, SuperProgram, 6x7, Auto 110, Asahiflex IIB late
Pentax "modern": MZ-3, K200d, K20d
Mamiya: C3 TLR, NC1000
Canon: EOS 10s, AE-1
Chinon: CP-7m
IKON: Contax D, Praktiflex FX & Victar 50mm f2.9
Contessa-Nettel Piccolette - 7.5 cm Tessar & Compur shutter
Rangefinders: Argus C4 and Ricoh Five-One-Nine

Charles_G · Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Apologies for the double post... not sure what happened there?

@Jeff - Indeed, I agree... It's nice looking and very solid built lens - I should really see what its capable of on a camera!

C.

CarbonR · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:20 pm Post subject:

I don't think it is a Pentax, it would be written Asahi Opt. Co. and will look the same of an other 135mm Takumar, and it is not the case.
_________________
My photo collection :
Main cameras : Pentax K100D, Canon 5D, Pentax 6x7, Pentax 67, Pentax SP, SP1000, P30
Lenses : 15mm to 1000mm (24x36), 45mm to 400mm (6x7), f/1.2 to f/45, 98g to 5500g
My Takumar lenses collection :
SMC 15/3.5, S-M-C F-E 17/4, F-E 18/11, S-M-C 20/4.5, S-M-C 24/3.5, S 28/3.5 (V1), S-M-C 28/3.5, S 35/2 (V1), S-M-C 35/2, S-M-C 35/3.5, Auto 35/2.3, preset 35/4, S 50/1.4 V1, S-M-C 50/1.4, A-K 50/3.5 V2, Macro 50/4 (preset), Auto 55/2.2, preset 55/2.2, S-M-C/6x7 55/3.5, A-K 58/2.4, Auto 85/1.8, S-M-C 85/1.8, preset 100/3.5 M42, S-M-C Bellows 100/4, S-M-C/6x7 105/2.4, Auto 105/2.8, S-M-C 105/2.8, S-M-C 120/2.8, 135/3.5 (preset and AK), S-M-C 135/3.5, S-M-C/6X7 135/4 macro, S-M-C 135/2.5 (V2), S-M-C 135/2.5 (V1), S-M-C/6X7 150/2.8, S-M-C 150/4, 200/3.5 (preset), S-M-C 200/4, Tele 200/5.6, S-M-C/6x7 200/4, S 300/4, preset 300/4, Tele 300/6.3, Tele 400/5.6, S-M-C/6X7 400/4, S-M-C 500/4.5, Tele 1000/8, Zoom 45-125/4, Zoom 85-210/4.5, Zoom 75-150/4.5
[FR & ENG]Takumar - the eyes of the Spotmatic : info about Takumar lenses // Kogaku - My photo site
MFLenses feed-back
Available for sale : Dealer stands, Auto Takumar 35/2.3, S-M-C Takumar 120/2.8 user (1), S-M-C Takumar/6X7 200/4, Rodenstock APO Gerogon enlarger lenses, S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5, Takumar 35/4, Tamron 90/2.5 52B and 52BB, SMC Pentax-A 35-210/3.5-4.5, SMC Pentax A 28/2, non listed : Please check [url=http://forum.hardware.fr/hfr/AchatsVentes/Photo-Audio-Video/vds-objos-pentax-sujet_435510_1.htm]Pentax K gear and M42 and Takumar gear, pm me if you're interested in something// Want To Buy // Takumars M37/M42

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 778 Location: Canada

I have an extremely similarly looking 135/3.5 branded 'Prinz Galaxy'. My guess the lens is made by Tokyo Koki (today's Tokina), as I've also seen it sold under that name:

_________________
List of lenses

luisalegria · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject:

Mine is actually branded "Lentar", not Caspeco

http://forum.mflenses.com/lentar-preset-135-3-5-t-mount-what-is-this-t16105,highlight,caspeco.html

Its not a Tokina, though it generally follows similar style. Its helical turns opposite to the Tokinas and the style details are different. See my link, I show it compared to the Tokyo Koki (Tokina)-made lenses of the period.

It is VERY similar to the equivalent Vivitar of the first generation of preset Vivitars. I still don't know the makers of this series.
_________________
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.

Charles_G · Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

@luisalegria - I agree... my lens is very similar to your "Lentar". Interesting link with great images - thanks for that... your results are impressive!

The build quality is very good, and like you, I would like to know who the 'real' manufacturer was at the time...

Another interesting point - I had the same Palinar 100/4, pictured in your Tokina line-up... sold it on ebay not too long ago - do you have any sample images from that lens? - I never tried it out...

Thanks for all the info -

C.