Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Korvette 135mm f3.5
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:30 pm    Post subject: Korvette 135mm f3.5 Reply with quote


Hiya, not sure if anyone can help but I have this Korvette 135mm f3.5 telephoto lens that was made in Japan.

I have tried searching the web, but to no avail.

The mount has CS written on it and it allows me to connect the lens to my M42 adaptor.

Overall condition is excellent, no scratching on the glass.

Shown in the photo is the name and serial number, unsure of year of manufacture.

If there if a thread already for this lens, admin are you able to move this Post to the relevant thread.

Thanks for your assistance on this lens.

P.S. I have yet to take any photo's with the lens although I have had it for about 4 months +.

Last edited by zelda_n64 on Tue May 21, 2013 5:51 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
This lens is often seen with Hanimex branding, these is a matching 4/100 too that also has a H preceding the serial. They are made by Tokina and are acceptably sharp but had low contrast and muted colours. Can produce acceptable results if you fix the contrast and saturation in PP.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you for the quick reply, I will make a point of testing it out on the weekend.

This must be the 100mm Hanimex you are refering about:



Last edited by zelda_n64 on Tue May 21, 2013 5:52 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
E.J. Korvette is a long defunct USA department store chain. They had a well stocked photo section. The store nearest my home was gone my the mid to late 70s.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Depends on the DLSR and its settings re contrast, etc.
Factory settings are fine with Pentax K100D and Kx with these.
YMMV on other cameras.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, that's the Hanimex, I had it but labelled Palinar.

Luis, I used mine on my NEX-3 and in the typically gray light I have here, the contrast and saturation needed a boost, but I expect in better light it would do much better. I didn't shoot it in good light, didn't have any to shoot in at the time. Smile


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
casualcollector wrote:
E.J. Korvette is a long defunct USA department store chain. They had a well stocked photo section. The store nearest my home was gone my the mid to late 70s.


I wasn't going to make that connection because I didn't think anyone else here would remember them.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
casualcollector wrote:
E.J. Korvette is a long defunct USA department store chain. They had a well stocked photo section. The store nearest my home was gone my the mid to late 70s.


I wasn't going to make that connection because I didn't think anyone else here would remember them.


Word around here was that the name was a mnemonic for Eight Jewish Korean Veterans. I went to school with one of the family members. One of the best music selections in the area ever. Huge!


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
casualcollector wrote:
E.J. Korvette is a long defunct USA department store chain. They had a well stocked photo section. The store nearest my home was gone my the mid to late 70s.


I wasn't going to make that connection because I didn't think anyone else here would remember them.


I'm surprised anyone knew the chain at all!


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
A great read and Thank you.

I will post some results on the weekend.

Was this lens in the USA only then in the Korvette branding?

It would be nice to know when/how this one made its way across to the UK.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
A very common lens in the U.S. with dozens of brands on the name ring. The Korvette branding is what makes it unique. Probably rare. There is the possibility that the naming and spelling are just coincidental with the store I refer to and not associated.

As an aside, during the mid 1970s I worked for a similar, competing chain. We carried a line of Makina made lenses labeled Continental Optics. The lenses may have been sold through others.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
casualcollector wrote:
As an aside, during the mid 1970s I worked for a similar, competing chain


Where, which one?


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Korvette was also used by Bennetts in the UK, I don't know whether they used it for lenses but they did offer the Mamiya Korvette (also going by the name Mamiya Family and Mamiya Saturn).


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
George, I think your store is the more likely source of the subject lens.

Woodrim, The Chain was Two Guys from Harrison, better known later as just Two Guys. Stores throughout New Jersey and extending into Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. They closed up by the early 1980s.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
casualcollector wrote:
George, I think your store is the more likely source of the subject lens.

Woodrim, The Chain was Two Guys from Harrison, better known later as just Two Guys. Stores throughout New Jersey and extending into Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. They closed up by the early 1980s.


I figured you were go to say that or Great Eastern. Two Guys was owned by Vornado at the end. I remember it being a household name. I'm guessing you were in NJ? I grew up there. Perhaps we should take this offline.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There's a wee bit of Korvette branded photographic equipment on Ebay at the moment. Some in the UK, most in the US.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
An amazing read of the posts, thank you all so much for your input.

So I know the lens is a Korvette branded possibly a Tokyo Koki Tele-Tokina 135mm f/3.5 (it looks so similar to their f/2.Cool, which was also branded Hanimex amongst a few others.

Please add more insights if the above helps and I will post a couple of sample pictures using this Korvette branded lens.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Page 1 of 1