Who Made This Soligor?

[Oldhand]

OK, I understand that Soligor was, like Vivitar, a company that probably outsourced its lens production to specialist manufacturers. And from what I have read, there is no serial number system with Soligors that helps identify the maker. Indeed it seems to boil down to the identifying features of the lens itself that give clues to its parentage.
So, could you that know please help me with this little problem.
Here is a lens that I found at today's Sunday markets. There is another 35mm Soligor, but I will leave that until later.

This lens is a C/D Soligor 80-200 f3.5.
It has 9 blades making up the aperture diaphragm, which has automatic and manual control via a slide lever at the very back.
It weighs 970grams.
It focuses down to 6 feet.
It is all metal with a retractable lens hood.
The front element has a blue finished coating (doesn't look like multi-coating)
Here it is:












Thanks for your help
OH

[ManualFocus-G]

According to the research here: http://forum.mflenses.com/soligor-12-8-f28mm-21and-versions-t30866,start,180.html it would be a Sun.

[buerokratiehasser]

I can tell you the following

- I think it was more like "we buy discount and label them soligor, vivitar, exakta, cosina", I am not sure they had any significant R/D at all. Then otoh I really don't know much about them, I wasn't even around then.

Lens models are often better identified by focal length and distinctive barrel/build. The 60-300 and 200/4.5 teles come under a variety of names and non-names.

- Soligor C/D are said to be better quality product lineup

- When I saw that lens, without reading further comment or link, i thought "flimsy silver plastic and conical stuff with red triangle.. like sun 85-205"

[iangreenhalgh1]

I'm pretty sure that's a Sun. Sun and Tokina seem to have been the main suppliers for Soligor.

[Oldhand]

Thank you both for your responses.
I don't yet have a M42-Nikon adapter so that I can test the lens myself, but it will happen in due course.
I was however interested in who made it as a guide to quality.
Anecdotally, it is well made.
The all metal body parts are a precise fit and are well machined. Screws are well seated, with flush finish to the body.
Both the focus and zoom rings move smoothly with appropriate resistance - there is no slop, play or creep in the mechanisms.
There is a lot of glass and the rear element has a spotless gold coating.
All the numbered markings are lightly and precisely engraved before being painted, with no overspray or shadowing.
Whatever this is, it is not a cheap lens, and the factory that produced it had excellent quality control.

I am looking forward to seeing some results.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Sadly, build quality and finish are no indicator of optical quality. I once had a 4.5/300 lens that felt like a Takumar, impressive build quality. Performed like the bottom of a coke bottle, sadly.

[Oldhand]

[buerokratiehasser]

m42/nikon adaptor with glass in it?

yeah well C/D or not may be your least problem then frankly

[Oldhand]

[casualcollector]

My recollection of period advertising is that this was the first of Soligor's C/D series lenses. I believe the ad also stated that Soligor "Teamed" with Sun on the design.

[guardian]

Confirming Sun:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/soligor_mf/discuss/72157625238376083/

Beautiful lens. You are lucky.

[Lloydy]

My 300 / 5.5 Soligor is sssloooowwww, but it's a Sun lens and I think comparable to my Tair 300, it's certainly lighter! Maybe Sun had their moments?

[Oldhand]

Thanks everyone.
We'll go with Sun then.
I'll post some images here when I get them done.
Mucho Gratias
OH

[luisalegria]

Sun did have its moments.

Their 60-135 zoom is very fine, and the monster 80-240/4 is impressive.
The more common 85-210/4.8 seems to have a lot of sample variation. I have decent and poor examples.
The 70-210/4 has perhaps a half-stop too much aperture for its own good, but can deliver very well just closed down a bit.

The Sun 1950's primes are very respectable for their day.

[Oldhand]

[philslizzy]

Not too shabby. I like the soft unfussy bokeh at full aperture.

[Oldhand]

[norland]

[mo]

You certainly have some interesting lenses and I for one am glad you are sharing them....in all their glory,both good and bad.

[Oldhand]

[Gerald]

From an old Pentacon/Orwo catalog, the Soligor lenses to be used with Praktica:



The 80-200 F3.5 is a very elaborated lens. I counted 17 optical elements, what is more than you find in similar zooms.

[mo]

I have to say I do like the third one,composition is great but the weird OOF suits it.Do you know what the name of the lily is? It makes a great subject to photograph.

[Oldhand]

[mo]

Common to some but unknown to others,I am just getting into gardening and I do like the various lilies that you can get.

I read in this thread you don't have a Nikon adapter,I found one in my bits and pieces,its the plain old silver/alu ring type allows M42 lens on a nikon camera,I am just not sure if it is AI or Non AI....Do you want it? No cost just moving it out of my house to somewhere were it will be used...

[Oldhand]