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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:38 am Post subject: Caspeco (old Tokina) 300/5.5 preset T2-mount |
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luisalegria wrote:
This is yet another of that extremely common series of old Tokina lenses of the 1960's -
Old Tokinas - L-R: Sears 135/3.5, Lentar 200/4.5, Caspeco 300/5.5
This one bears yet another merchants name. These were sold by nearly every lens-merchant in the 1960's, and can be found under a bewildering array of names - I have seen these sold as Accura, Lentar, Vemar, Hanimex, Sears, Spiratone, Prinz, Palinar, etc. There are probably dozens of brands around the world, used by what seems to be every major importer, distributor, camera store chain, department store chain, mail-order dealer and who knows who else. These were also sold by camera makers such as Yashica, Mamiya, Ricoh and Petri. This series in fact made up ALL the original Yashica SLR add-on lens product line, the original Yashinon-R's.
Strangely, they don't seem to have been sold as Soligors or Vivitars.
Whatever name they caried, some of them are easily spotted because of the distinctive design, even though there are variations in details like the knurling of different rings. I have maybe half the series, the 100/4, 135/3.5, 200/4.5 and 300/5.5. There were also a 400/6.3, a 35/2.8 and a 28/2.8, and possibly some others like a 35/3.5 or an 85mm or 180mm, but I haven't managed to grab those. The short lenses aren't as easy to spot, and there may be some rare items. There are also variations - there seem to be two versions of the 300mm for instance, one goes down to a minimum aperture of f/22 and the other to f/32 - this Caspeco is the f/32 type.
Robert Monaghan tested the Spiratone version of this one, an f/22 -
http://medfmt.8k.com/third/preset.html
This one is just like its smaller brothers, a very simple and conventional but well made lens, with the usual Japanese 2-ring preset mechanism. It is a perfectly decent performer as 300mm's go, but it does have a serious fault, in that minimum focus is a quite long 25ft/8m. This does make it difficult to get "the bird", and more practically a tight headshot closeup is probably going to need cropping - and a longer standoff distance.
The bird -
crop -
_________________ 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. |
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sichko
Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2475 Location: South West UK
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:26 am Post subject: |
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sichko wrote:
The cormorant shots are great. _________________ John |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:16 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Updates -
I have to eat my words again - I said this line wasn't sold as Soligor - in fact it was, the 300mm Soligor version having a different style tripod mount and a built-in hood.
This is probably the most widely-distributed line of preset lenses ever made.
The largest of the line also seems to have been a rather rare 400/5.9 - the 400/6.3 is much more common. _________________ 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. |
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 10405 Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:22 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
I'm seeing lots of detail in these, Luis, the lens is a keeper! |
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Orio
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 29545 Location: West Emilia
Expire: 2012-12-04
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Orio wrote:
Yes, excellent performance, but I think the same of at least 90% of tests performed by Luis so... _________________ Orio, Administrator
T*
NE CEDE MALIS AUDENTIOR ITO
Ferrania film is reborn! http://www.filmferrania.it/
Support the Ornano film chemicals company and help them survive!
http://forum.mflenses.com/ornano-chemical-products-t55525.html |
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peterqd
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 7448 Location: near High Wycombe, UK
Expire: 2014-01-04
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:45 am Post subject: |
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peterqd wrote:
Orio wrote: |
Yes, excellent performance, but I think the same of at least 90% of tests performed by Luis so... |
Agreed! It gets difficult to find new words of praise.
I wish I could watch my back like that Cormorant! (Not to mention swim and fly too) _________________ Peter - Moderator |
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wariag
Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Lodz, Poland
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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wariag wrote:
luisalegria wrote: |
Updates -
I have to eat my words again - I said this line wasn't sold as Soligor - in fact it was, the 300mm Soligor version having a different style tripod mount and a built-in hood.
This is probably the most widely-distributed line of preset lenses ever made.
The largest of the line also seems to have been a rather rare 400/5.9 - the 400/6.3 is much more common. |
Hi,
I would like to announce, that I have captured two copies of this lens with Soligor designation, exactly the same design - one with T-mount, the other one with T2 mount.
And I've spotted one with DELTA Tele Lens name .
My third capture is Soligor 300/5.5 which seems to be one you have mentioned - quite different design - it's shorter, it has different tripod mount collar, build-in lens hood. The rear lens group is fixed -it does not move at all, the focusing is via rotating barrel which is housing front lens group. Preset diaphragm is controlled by two rings situated near the lens mount (f5.5-f22 in half f-stop increment).
It's T2 mount lens. Minimum focusing distance is 6m.
it looks very similar to 400/6.3 lens described in Your "Soligor (Tokina) 400/6.3, the biggest of the T4's" thread, with exception of two aperture rings at the rear end.
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Hi Wariag !
That may make it THREE Soligor versions ?
The last one may be different, as in it may be from a different source. I suspect that Soligor may have been giving the same specifications to several makers ("we want a 250/4.5, a 300/5.5, a 350/5.6 and a 450/8").
I think this may be the case because there are so many versions of some of the odd sizes, that are rare in any brand other thans Soligor, like the 250, 350 and 450. _________________ 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. |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
Soligor did indeed make these lenses...I just one won for £10.00
_________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I don't know what someone will find under the Soligor name next - a Zeiss ? _________________ 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. |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
luisalegria wrote: |
I don't know what someone will find under the Soligor name next - a Zeiss ? |
Only if I can get one for under £10.00 _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
OK, this arrived today and is immaculate, hands up if you didn't read the bit about the monsterous 8m minimum focus though _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Hi Shrek,
I put in a short extension tube (5mm or so) and it gets down to a useful focus range for portraits and zoo animals, but no infinity focus of course. This is mostly just an annoyance. _________________ 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. |
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:04 am Post subject: |
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Big Dawg wrote:
I had a Caspeco 350mm a couple of years ago. Well built lens but was always a little soft at all f/stops. Can't remember the aperture range though. _________________ Big Dawg |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
luisalegria wrote: |
Hi Shrek,
I put in a short extension tube (5mm or so) and it gets down to a useful focus range for portraits and zoo animals, but no infinity focus of course. This is mostly just an annoyance. |
Great tip! I'll give that a go tonight, many thanks! _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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wariag
Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Lodz, Poland
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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wariag wrote:
luisalegria wrote: |
Hi Wariag !
That may make it THREE Soligor versions ?
The last one may be different, as in it may be from a different source. I suspect that Soligor may have been giving the same specifications to several makers ("we want a 250/4.5, a 300/5.5, a 350/5.6 and a 450/8").
I think this may be the case because there are so many versions of some of the odd sizes, that are rare in any brand other thans Soligor, like the 250, 350 and 450. |
Hi,
I think You shall look at this before it disappears...
Looks like Tokina made another one with longer helicoid (4,7m minimum distance)
Cheers
_________________ analog system: Pentax K & M42
digital sytem: Nikon 1 (CX) & Samsung NX (APS-c)
optics: mostly USSR and GDR made primes; some Japanese, Korean and other nationality
primes:
8/2.8, 14/2.8, 20/2.8(AF), 30/2(AF), 50/1.4-3.5, 80/2, 90/2.8, 100/2.8, 135/2.8-3.5, 200/3.5-4, 300/4-5.5, 436/5.5, 600/7.5
zoom:
28-100/4, 35-70/2.5-3.5, 70-150/3.5, 70-200/2.8, 80-200/4. |
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Nordentro
Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 4713 Location: Lillehammer, Norway
Expire: 2015-01-29
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Nordentro wrote:
I have the 300mm as Soligor, and I'm very happy with it _________________ Lars | Manuellfokus.no |
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Quantumshell
Joined: 28 Jan 2014 Posts: 1
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject: Another version ? |
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Quantumshell wrote:
I acquired this lens today... Just two elements.. The rear element does not move... T2 mount... serial starts with 37
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Nordentro
Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 4713 Location: Lillehammer, Norway
Expire: 2015-01-29
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:19 pm Post subject: Re: Another version ? |
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Nordentro wrote:
Quantumshell wrote: |
I acquired this lens today... Just two elements.. The rear element does not move... T2 mount... serial starts with 37
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First post can´t show pictures But you are good from now on _________________ Lars | Manuellfokus.no |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
This is a very different lens.
I had one under the "Kaligar" brand some years ago, with somewhat different styling.
That one had the quite uncommon Auto-T interchangeable mount system.
Soligor sold nearly everything from every maker at one time or another, under their brand.
Its not similar to the Tokina presets in either mechanism or optics.
The Tokina preset is a much better lens than the Kaligar I had. _________________ 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. |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 6622 Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
This was my experience too. The preset version was quite a bit sharper. Same goes for the corresponding 400/6.3 in the range. _________________ Graham - Moderator
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Same as this one -
http://forum.mflenses.com/kalimar-300-5-5-auto-t-interchangable-mount-t10907,highlight,%2Bkalimar.html _________________ 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. |
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papasito
Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Posts: 1659
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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papasito wrote:
Any newer experiense with this lens?
What about CA? |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
If anyone wants these (all three in the picture),
I can give them to you free!
Free US postage too.
Just send me a PM.
They probably aren't worth international postage. _________________ 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. |
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