Alpex Auto 400mm f/6.3

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Now this is a handsome old 400mm! Very Happy

"Special" features include a step change from f/6.3 to f/11 (annoying!) and a whopping minimum focusing distance of 12m!

Interestingly, like the older Tokina 400/6.3 lenses, CA isn't too bad! In fact, it's better than the old Tokinas with just a bit of light blue present (none of that horrible purple stuff, and most is gone by f/11).

f/6.3

f/11

f/6.3 in better light

f/11 in dodgy light, sharpened a bit with shadows lifted slightly

To me it is useful because of the low CA, but irritating because of the local MFD and strange aperture stops! Performance seems to deteriorate with light, but there's something special about the way it looks... Very Happy

I've seen a few lenses in this style before, but none in this focal length. I wonder who made them?

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18

Splendid! This silver line performance is above average. Are you sure it's Tokina? http://forum.mflenses.com/tele-universar-6-3-400-t21340,start,15.html

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

This was also seen as a Hanimex, there were a whole series of silver Hanimex lenses as I recall.

Wierd it has no f8 stop marked. Performance looks pretty good, nice and sharp and little CA.

I happen to have a Tokina 400mm, not been able to try it out yet due to bad weather.

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Ian, if you can hunt down any images of a Hanimex in this style, I'd be very interested as I've only ever seen Hanimex mirror lenses in a similar style. I've definitely seen these lenses branded as something else before, but I can't remember what Laughing

I just found another one on the bay:

Click here to see on Ebay

I've just dug out the old fred:

http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=31415

Looks like they were branded Elicar and Auto Reflex as well Smile

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

The silver bodies are the Alpex trademark feature at one time, I think mid to late 1970's.
There are also black Alpex lenses, but they are less common.
I never figured out who made them either.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Prinzflex was another branding, there is this one on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Prinzflex-35mm-Auto-Reflex-F2-8-M42-Mount-Lens-/220925865086?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item3370352c7e

I remember seeing them in shops and I think the only difference was the colour, but I might be wrong, I am fairly sure you can find black versions of these lenses.

Jethro Tull · Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 68 Location: SCOTLAND

You could shorten the MFD by using a extension tube, i have done this with quite a few 400mm etc including my Tair 300m which already had a very good MFD of 3m but with the tube fitted it would focus at 1m so pretty good for critter close ups

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Here is another of these silver lenses on ebay, Aragon branding:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135-2-8-Auto-Aragon-lens-Exakta-Mount-/250969844661?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6ef7ebb5#ht_500wt_1413

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Good find. I wonder if that's a Paragon with the P missing?

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Could be, your lens has a stop missing!

Super Paragon lenses were made by Cimko.

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18

I'd like to revive this topic. The silver line above is most probably made by the Sun. This theory proved most plausable among all until now Smile

.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Probably the same maker of this 300mm/5.5 Kalimar -

http://forum.mflenses.com/kalimar-300-5-5-auto-t-interchangable-mount-t10906,highlight,%2Bkalimar.html

The construction matches the pictured Alpex 400/6.3. Kalimar like Alpex was an importers brand.

Interesting point is that much of the Kalimar branded line from this unknown maker all used the unique "Auto-T" interchangable mount, which is different from but similar to a rare early Tokina interchangable mount that used a screw mechanism but was otherwise similar to a T4.

The Auto-T more resembles a YS mount, but is again different, with a 44mm screw and a different way to engage the internal mechanism.

http://forum.mflenses.com/auto-t-the-most-obscure-interchangeable-mount-t10869,highlight,%2Bauto.html

Whoever made this had the resources and ambition to try an automatic interchangable mount system, so it could have been Sun experimenting before going with YS. Or even early Sigma trying something early on, who knows.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Prinzflex 3.5 / 200
Prinz / Prinzflex was a name used by the old Dixons store, generally sold with Praktica and Zenit's. This one looks very similar to the Auto Aragon 100 in the above link - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/952440 The font used on the front ring is the same as are the aperture markings.
This 200 is a lovely looking and well made lens, but I haven't had great results from it yet. I'll give it another try though.

memento · Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 79

The latest picture to me looks very much like an early Sigma, somehow.

Thomas

buerokratiehasser · Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 470

in the Dimension 135/3.5 and 200/3.5 threads a lot of these-style-lenses came up

in black and silver

I think the end result was that these were Suns, or Chinons, or Suns labelled Chinonflex, or something

I have "Universar 300/4.5" which has same distinctive girdle, only the labelling isn't as silly - no long stretched out lines

Also, MFD 12 m? More like 4 m or less (12 m is insane even for 800/10 mirrors)

Can you take the front part and pull up into lens hood?

Pancolart · Expire: 2013-11-18