Soligor (Tokina) 250/4.5 T-mount

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

This is yet another 1960's Soligor t-mount lens. This is a Tokina as I have spotted an identical unit as a Tele-Tokina. There are similar lenses from at least five different Japanese manufacturers (Tamron, Komine, Tokina, but there are at least two styles also that I haven't identified) that made these for Soligor (Allied Impex).

250mm is an interesting focal length, as for a time it was fairly standard, like 180mm, and most manufacturers made them in this length, but by the late 1960s-early 1970's they disappeared.

This lens is a bit beaten-up (though fully functional), but it obviously was one of the better-made items sold by Soligor, with fine fit and nice glossy finish. Its claim to uniqueness is that it goes down to f/32, which is a bit unusual even for its day. Its quite pleasant to use, as 250mm is not that hard to hand-hold, and it is quite a light lens for its specifications. It does suffer from a long minimum focus, 18feet/6m.

Optically it is not amazingly good, but its more than adequate even wide-open, does not suffer from flare and only a bit of chromatic aberration. It does a rather good job at f/32.

At f/32 -

4.5 -

Some visitors to the seaside -

The bird -

crop -

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

Thank you for the history lessons you build into these presentations. I'm learning a lot!

Either you've developed an uncanny ability to focus perfectly on seagulls, or you're bracketing focus by the mm, as the seagull shots are invariably perfect. Oh wait, do you have a stuffed gull Shocked

This looks like a good one

Richard_D · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2378 Location: Faversham Kent UK

Doesn't look bad at all, and I'm still convinced that seagull is bribed to stand still.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I just spotted one branded as Tele-Tokina, so thats what it is.

lowersaxonguy · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 122 Location: lowersaxony

I own the preset M42 Japan made type of it No 9714202 Diameter 62mm. The pics were taken fuill open @4,5. I am sure a real telephoto hood and stopping down a little bit would help.