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xaprb
Joined: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 171
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 Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 1:33 pm Post subject: Store Brand Compendium |
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xaprb wrote:
I’m curious how much of a list of store-brands we can assemble and attribute to the correct store. I’m not focusing on resellers/rebranders like Hanimex here, and not trying to figure out who manufactured a store-brand lens, just trying to get a list of store brands and match them to the stores. I’m scraping bits from across the web but it’s tough going. How about we make a thread about it and I can keep a running list/table, and update it in this first post, to serve as a reference? I’ll get started with a tentative list of what I think I’ve found so far, and please correct any errors I’ve made. I’m not certain all of these are even store brands at all, some may be resellers/rebranders instead, but in various threads (too many to reference) I’m finding things I interpret as claims of store branding in one way or another.
Asreh
Cambron: Cambridge Photo (US)
Capseco
Carena: Porst (DE)
Cavalier: Peerless Willoughby (New York City)
Centon: Jessops (UK)
Deitz: Brooks Camera (San Francisco, US)
Dollonds
Expert (Europe)
Focal: KMart (US)
Fodor: Fodor (NL)
Fotomat: Fotomat (US)
Image: Astral Photo (Canada)
JCPenney: JCPenney (US)
Marep
Maxlo: Lomax Cameras (UK)
Miranda: Dixons (UK), after Miranda stopped manufacturing and sold the brand
Montgomery Ward: Montgomery Ward (US)
Pallas
Paragon, Super Paragon: Photax
Porst: Porst (DE)
Prinz, Prinz Galaxy, Prinzflex: Dixons (UK) (but see also below)
ProOptic: Adorama (US)
Quantaray: Ritz (US)
Revuenon, Revue: Quelle (DE)
Rexatar
Sam the Cameraman: Sam the Cameraman (Canada)
Sears: Sears (US)
Seikanon: Kit’s Cameras (US), bought by Ritz
Spiratone: Fred Spira’s store
Toronto Camera (CA)
Tower: Sears (US)
Underground: Underground Camera (US)
Vines: Vines Cameras (UK)
Walimex: Foto Walser (DE)
Weltblick
Wolfpro: Wolf Photo
Zodel: Wallace Heaton (London, UK)
Here’s a list of brands I’ve learned are not store brands, many are importer/distributor/rebranders similar to e.g. Vivitar or Spiratone:
Admiral: house brand of Swiss company GMC Trading AG, http://www.gmc-ag.ch/ .
Albinar
Asanuma
DeJur: American importer/rebrander
Hanimex
Kalimar
Nikura: unknown, perhaps just an importer/rebrander
Panagor: a trademark of Jaca, a distributor similar to Vivitar
Prinz: as above, a store brand in UK; but also an unrelated importer in the USA
Rokunar: trademark of Aetna, a distributor similar to Vivitar
Sakar
Travenar, Super Travenar: Travenar and Travegon lenses were made by Schacht (DE), Super Travenar was Japanese-manufactured
Last edited by xaprb on Fri Apr 26, 2024 10:30 am; edited 20 times in total |
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Doc Sharptail
Joined: 23 Nov 2020
Posts: 1216
Location: Winnipeg Canada
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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Doc Sharptail wrote:
By and large most store brands are simple re-brands.
(I may be misreading the o.p.'s intent here)
This was generally the case- especially with Sears.
Their early rifle scope line was nothing but re-badged Weaver, and everyone knew it.
Like-wise the Tower cameras brought in by them that everyone knows about.
Here in Canada, Astral Photo (a division of Astral-Pathe) had their own "Image", very budget oriented lens line.
Japan Camera Center tried bringing in the "aus Jena" lens line.
Neither effort resulted in lenses of any reputation.
The "Image" line can be sort of hard to pin down, and may have been indeed third party one offs, especially the cheap wide angles.
-D.S.
_________________
D-810, F2, FTN.
35mm f2 O.C. nikkor
50 f2 H nikkor, 50 f 1.4 AI-s, 135 f3.5 Q,
50 f2 K nikkor 2x, 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 35-105 3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 200mm f4 Micro A/I, partial list.
"Ain't no half-way" -S.R.V.
"Oh Yeah... Alright" -Paul Simon |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 7796
Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
Not sure if these are store brands , or budget lenses available at different stores.?
Optomax
Kenlock
Kenlock McTor
Makinon
Solitel
Marexar
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xaprb
Joined: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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xaprb wrote:
Thanks for clarifying — my intent was not to figure out who made the store-branded lenses, but just to identify pairs of (brand, store) so we get more of a centralized reference list rather than it being so scattered.
I just stumbled upon one right now, looking at an eBay listing: It looks like ProOptic is Adorama’s store brand! I had no idea. Here’s the evidence.
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Alun Thomas
Joined: 20 Aug 2018
Posts: 662
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Alun Thomas wrote:
Miranda cameras were not originally a store brand, but after they closed their manufacturing business the brand name was acquired by Dixons, who then sold rebadged gear from a variety of makers. Most of which is studiously ignored by Miranda fans. |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11061
Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
Spiratone -- Fred Spira's store brand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiratone
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M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013
Posts: 6005
Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Oldhand wrote:
| Alun Thomas wrote: |
| Miranda cameras were not originally a store brand, but after they closed their manufacturing business the brand name was acquired by Dixons, who then sold rebadged gear from a variety of makers. Most of which is studiously ignored by Miranda fans. |
Indeed.
The original Mirandas have some absolute gems among them
Tom |
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Lloydy
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 7796
Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
Miranda were certainly a casualty of falling into decline and their name becoming synonamous with cheap store products, as indeed were Steinheil and Vivitar - both were different in their glory days, Steinheil were a manufacturer and Vivitar a retailer and to a degree designer, but their names and reputations are now ruined by the low quality products sold by 'stores'.
_________________
LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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kypfer
Joined: 27 Sep 2017
Posts: 523
Location: Jersey C.I.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:18 am Post subject: |
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kypfer wrote:
Zodel : Wallace Heaton in London … a wide range of accessories ... most especially, rebranded West German Enna lenses.
Porst : German retailer, especially rebranded Fujica film SLRs and lenses. |
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Phalbert
Joined: 17 May 2009
Posts: 384
Location: Namibia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 11:35 am Post subject: |
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Phalbert wrote:
Loydi, Is Makinon - Makina - not a manufacturer? 🤔
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My dream lenses: Zuiko 180/2 Prototype Zuiko 85/1,4
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My stolen stuff: Zuiko 24/2 #106874; Zuiko 35-80/2,8 #102180; Zuiko 35/2 #119168; Zuiko 90/2 macro #102858; Zuiko x1,4 converter #102019; Tamron 17/3,5 #400567; Tamron 400/4 #80407; Soligor 135/2 #17506600 Sigma 28/1,8 #1001124 |
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012
Posts: 2537
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
Fodor sold by dutch Fodor store.
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xaprb
Joined: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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xaprb wrote:
Does anyone know about Fortron lenses? Thanks for the info, all, I’m continuing to update the original post with as much as I can. Let me know if I miss anything. |
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philslizzy
Joined: 07 Aug 2012
Posts: 4745
Location: Cheshire, England
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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philslizzy wrote:
Maxlo lenses and binoculars sold by Lomax of Manchester and Macclesfield UK
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012
Posts: 2537
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
| xaprb wrote: |
| Does anyone know about Fortron lenses? Thanks for the info, all, I’m continuing to update the original post with as much as I can. Let me know if I miss anything. |
found this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortunoff
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kypfer
Joined: 27 Sep 2017
Posts: 523
Location: Jersey C.I.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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kypfer wrote:
The original Travenar (and Travegon) lenses were manufactured by Schacht of Ulm in Germany, often found on Edixa cameras.
It was the "Super Travenar" name that was re-used on some Japanese-manufactured lenses, as was Exakta (and Edixa, if I remember correctly) |
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Doc Sharptail
Joined: 23 Nov 2020
Posts: 1216
Location: Winnipeg Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Doc Sharptail wrote:
Found a "Sam The Camera Man" 1/A filter in my stuff.
A local, independent camera shop that went as far as branding their own filters, so likely very obscure anywhere else.
There were noises about a lens line- but I am none too clear as to that actually happening.
The quality of the filter is surprisingly good- at least better than "Optex".
-D.S.
_________________
D-810, F2, FTN.
35mm f2 O.C. nikkor
50 f2 H nikkor, 50 f 1.4 AI-s, 135 f3.5 Q,
50 f2 K nikkor 2x, 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 35-105 3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 200mm f4 Micro A/I, partial list.
"Ain't no half-way" -S.R.V.
"Oh Yeah... Alright" -Paul Simon |
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jamaeolus
Joined: 19 Mar 2014
Posts: 2971
Location: Eugene
Expire: 2015-08-20
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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jamaeolus wrote:
Slightly of topic I have a "Carena" labeled 35mm 2.8 in Petriflex mount. Was Carena a store brand, or rebadge company, or something else.
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photos are moments frozen in time |
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Alun Thomas
Joined: 20 Aug 2018
Posts: 662
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Alun Thomas wrote:
| jamaeolus wrote: |
| Slightly of topic I have a "Carena" labeled 35mm 2.8 in Petriflex mount. Was Carena a store brand, or rebadge company, or something else. |
Carena was a brand name used by Porst, a German chain of photographic stores. |
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jamaeolus
Joined: 19 Mar 2014
Posts: 2971
Location: Eugene
Expire: 2015-08-20
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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jamaeolus wrote:
Ah, thank you Alun.
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009
Posts: 9096
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:19 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
I don't suppose it was really a store brand -- more likely offered by retail chains that didn't want the bother or expense of "inventing" their own.
Albinar.
I bought my first two Albinars from Best Products, a chain I'm sure has long since closed its doors.
I just thought of another non-store-brand lens, but one that sort of has its own distribution network, sort of:
Asanuma
They sold lenses, most of which were rebranded Tokina, but they also sold other items. I own an old Asanoma tripod that I picked up along with a camera outfit I bought over 30 years ago. From what I found out some years ago, Asanuma also marketed other photo-related items.
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Last edited by cooltouch on Wed Feb 16, 2022 6:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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eggplant
Joined: 27 May 2020
Posts: 517
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:55 am Post subject: |
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eggplant wrote:
| Doc Sharptail wrote: |
Found a "Sam The Camera Man" 1/A filter in my stuff.
A local, independent camera shop that went as far as branding their own filters, so likely very obscure anywhere else.
There were noises about a lens line- but I am none too clear as to that actually happening.
The quality of the filter is surprisingly good- at least better than "Optex".
-D.S. |
Would love to see a picture of that! |
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Doc Sharptail
Joined: 23 Nov 2020
Posts: 1216
Location: Winnipeg Canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 6:11 am Post subject: |
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Doc Sharptail wrote:
| eggplant wrote: |
Would love to see a picture of that! |
I'll see if I can find it. I am getting into trouble here with finding lenses, and the odd occasional camera.   
-D.S.
_________________
D-810, F2, FTN.
35mm f2 O.C. nikkor
50 f2 H nikkor, 50 f 1.4 AI-s, 135 f3.5 Q,
50 f2 K nikkor 2x, 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 35-105 3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 200mm f4 Micro A/I, partial list.
"Ain't no half-way" -S.R.V.
"Oh Yeah... Alright" -Paul Simon |
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Doc Sharptail
Joined: 23 Nov 2020
Posts: 1216
Location: Winnipeg Canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 9:12 am Post subject: |
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Doc Sharptail wrote:
Here it is. Daylight would make a way better version.
-D.S.
_________________
D-810, F2, FTN.
35mm f2 O.C. nikkor
50 f2 H nikkor, 50 f 1.4 AI-s, 135 f3.5 Q,
50 f2 K nikkor 2x, 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 35-105 3.5-4.5 A/I-s, 200mm f4 Micro A/I, partial list.
"Ain't no half-way" -S.R.V.
"Oh Yeah... Alright" -Paul Simon |
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jmkmva
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 78
Location: MidAtlantic US
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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jmkmva wrote:
xaprb, nice compendium, interesting.
You might want to add
Cavalier, which was the store brand for Peerless Willoughby in New York City. The Cavalier brand appeared on lenses and cameras including Praktica and Cosina (?) and many other accessories. Less common now but still show up from time to time. |
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xaprb
Joined: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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xaprb wrote:
Updated the list. I love “Sam the Cameramanâ€! As we say in the Southeast US, “that’s a hoot!†(meaning you hoot with laughter). |
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