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Univer
Joined: 30 Jun 2009
Posts: 282
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 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: Sun Sparon 8.5cm/2: An Uncommon(?) Lens |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: Sun Sparon 8.5cm/2: An Uncommon(?) Lens |
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Univer wrote:
Hi All,
Per request, I'm posting two hasty snaps of a recently acquired lens. I always hesitate to use the "r" word in any sphere of collecting, but I think I may be justified in calling this one "rare".
It's a Sun Optical lens, in alloy finish, and it's one I hadn't previously seen or heard of: a "Sparon", 8.5cm/f2. The mount is M42. Judging by the finish and the serial number (not too far from that of my 9cm Sun Sola), I'd guess at a mid-1950s production date.
If you've handled a Sola, or one of the 13.5cm Sun lenses, this one might come as something of a surprise. It's significantly heavier, and seems, overall, to be of more robust construction. The aperture mechanism is a preset (unlike the manual aperture controls of my other Suns from this era), and it uses the "pullback" setting system - something I tend to associate, by and large, with German lenses more than Japanese lenses. Even the original screw-in lens cap, shown in one of the photos, is thick and heavy.
I haven't been able to find out anything about this lens; the only possible mention of it, so far as I can tell, is a passing reference, in the old version of the Vade Mecum, to a Sun "85mm" - and that reference is nothing more than the cryptic phrase "no details". I have to think that a fast 85mm lens would have been something of a crown jewel for Sun during this time period; so if it were a true serial-production lens, one might reasonably expect to find it featured in advertising, if nothing else. By way of comparison, the Japanese manufacturer Tanaka Kogaku, a company I mentally bracket with Sun during this era, advertised an 85mm/2 (LTM) the mid-fifties, but there seems to be some consensus that that lens was never actually sold.
With respect to the lens's performance, I wish I could offer some test shots; but unfortunately, it came to me with a case of fungus, and the focus ring is too stiff for reliable handling. So the lens is on its way, as of this morning, for a complete overhaul. When it returns, I'll be sure to post some images.
Cheers,
Jon |
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exaklaus
Joined: 11 Aug 2009
Posts: 1633
Location: Niederrhein, Germany
Expire: 2011-12-02
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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exaklaus wrote:
I'm pretty sure, you've got a rare (!) gem. 
Never saw one or even heard about.
Klaus
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 57978
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
| exaklaus wrote: |
I'm pretty sure, you've got a rare (!) gem.
Never saw one or even heard about.
Klaus |
+1 |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
My opinion is that it is indeed extremely rare; this may be just a pre-production sample.
The style is very similar to my 135/3.8 Sun Sola.
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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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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11638
Location: California
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
 a beauty; nice shape too! I have Exacta-mount 4/90 Sola in not so good shape with haze, untried. I did google "sun sparon"; this fellow has one http://www.flickr.com/people/49576306@N08/
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☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
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
Solinon 1:5.6/18 ASPH.
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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fatdeeman
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 780
Location: UK
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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fatdeeman wrote:
I have never heard of it before, didn't know sun made such a fast lens back then.
It simply has to be rare.
Looks great too, fingers crossed it performs as good as it looks!
_________________
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DSLR: Canon EOS 60D, Samsung GX-1S (Pentax *ist DS2)
Mirrorless: Panasonic DMC-G1, Sony NEX-5N
Compact: Canon PowerShot G3
Lenses:
Wide: Tokina RMC 28mm F/2.8, Tamron Adaptall 2 28mm F/2.5, Sun Optical 28mm F/2.5, Super paragon 28mm F/2.8, Sigma filtermatic 24mm F/2.8, Fujinon 35mm F/2.8, Sun Optical 35mm F/2.8
Standard: Industar 50-2, Helios 44-2, Helios 44M, Helios 44M-3, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.4, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.7, Pentax-M 50mm F/2, Ricoh 50mm F/1.7, Chinon 50mm F/1.7
Tele: Pentacon 135mm F/2.8, Pentacon 200mm F/3.5, Optomax 200mm f/3.5, Sun Optical 135mm F/3.5, Soligor 350mm F/5.6
Zoom: Tokina 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 SZ-X270 SD, Sigma Zoom Pi 35-200mm F4-5.6, Sun Optical 28-80mm F/3.5-4.5, Sunagor 80-205mm F/3.8, Tokina RMC 80-200mm F/4, Vivitar 70-150mm F/3.8, Tamron 95-205mm F/6.3, Tamron Adaptall 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical, Tokina RMC 70-210mm F/3.5
Mirror: Falcon (Samyang) 800mm F/8, MTO-11CA 1000mm F/10, Tamron Adaptall 2 500mm F/8
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Univer
Joined: 30 Jun 2009
Posts: 282
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Univer wrote:
Thanks, all!
I'm looking forward to getting it back and trying it out. Fingers crossed here too.
@siriusdogstar: I'm afraid that fellow is yours truly. I'm surprised google found that reference so quickly!
Cheers,
Jon |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
There is such a lens listed in the ihagee.org Exakta lens list -
http://www.ihagee.org/vimlens20100404.pdf
This is a list of Exakta mount lenses that people have collected or spotted, so there is at least one other like this somewhere, in Exakta mount, or perhaps, since a 1957 date is given, it may have been seen in a magazine article or advertisement.
I have checked the relevant issues of Seymours' Exakta catalogs and there is no mention of it there; nearly everything Exakta in the 1950's went through Seymours, especially Japanese-made lenses, so whatever this was it was not sold through normal channels or in significant numbers.
It may have been made just for the Japanese market, and this may be an example brought back by a visitor. The next step would be to check with Japanese collectors I think.
_________________
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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fatdeeman
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 780
Location: UK
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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fatdeeman wrote:
I had a quick look around but could only find a few mentions of it.
One was an ebay listing, perhaps it's the same lens?
Another mention is on someone's flickr profile (maybe this is you?)
http://www.flickr.com/people/49576306@N08/
This guy has a hell of a lot of lenses but he hasn't posted any samples taken with it yet.
_________________
- Dave
www.lensporn.net
www.flickr.com/photos/fatdeeman/
DSLR: Canon EOS 60D, Samsung GX-1S (Pentax *ist DS2)
Mirrorless: Panasonic DMC-G1, Sony NEX-5N
Compact: Canon PowerShot G3
Lenses:
Wide: Tokina RMC 28mm F/2.8, Tamron Adaptall 2 28mm F/2.5, Sun Optical 28mm F/2.5, Super paragon 28mm F/2.8, Sigma filtermatic 24mm F/2.8, Fujinon 35mm F/2.8, Sun Optical 35mm F/2.8
Standard: Industar 50-2, Helios 44-2, Helios 44M, Helios 44M-3, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.4, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.7, Pentax-M 50mm F/2, Ricoh 50mm F/1.7, Chinon 50mm F/1.7
Tele: Pentacon 135mm F/2.8, Pentacon 200mm F/3.5, Optomax 200mm f/3.5, Sun Optical 135mm F/3.5, Soligor 350mm F/5.6
Zoom: Tokina 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 SZ-X270 SD, Sigma Zoom Pi 35-200mm F4-5.6, Sun Optical 28-80mm F/3.5-4.5, Sunagor 80-205mm F/3.8, Tokina RMC 80-200mm F/4, Vivitar 70-150mm F/3.8, Tamron 95-205mm F/6.3, Tamron Adaptall 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical, Tokina RMC 70-210mm F/3.5
Mirror: Falcon (Samyang) 800mm F/8, MTO-11CA 1000mm F/10, Tamron Adaptall 2 500mm F/8
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mo
Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Posts: 8979
Location: Australia
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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mo wrote:
That's Univers photos on flickr!  A case of a lot of lenses so little time...eh
Thanks for posting it looks stunning...and I will be waiting for those photos from it as you will be too I guess.
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Auto Mamiya/Sekor 1.8/55 ...Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 2.8/50 Auto Mamiya/Sekor 200/3.5 Tamron SP500/8 Tamron SP350/5.6 Tamron SP90/2.5
Primoplan 1.9/58 Primagon 4.5/35 Telemegor 5.5/150 Angenieux 3.5/28 Angenieux 3,5/135 Y 2
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walter g
Joined: 20 Feb 2010
Posts: 2463
Location: NC, USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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walter g wrote:
If this is the one from Ebay. I saw it and was thinking of bidding on it.
Glad a member got it.
Along the same lines did anyone see this new listing.This is a camera lens right, not a movie lens.
Click here to see on Ebay
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11638
Location: California
Expire: 2027-07-11
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
| walter g wrote: |
If this is the one from Ebay. I saw it and was thinking of bidding on it.
Glad a member got it.
Along the same lines did anyone see this new listing.This is a camera lens right, not a movie lens.
Click here to see on Ebay |
I think it is a cine lens, possibly C-mount? The M39/exacta Sun 75mm are f/3.5.
_________________
☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
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
Solinon 1:5.6/18 ASPH.
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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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Movie lens I believe, possibly D mount (for 8mm).
Sun made a lot of those.
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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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fatdeeman
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 780
Location: UK
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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fatdeeman wrote:
| mo wrote: |
That's Univers photos on flickr! A case of a lot of lenses so little time...eh
Thanks for posting it looks stunning...and I will be waiting for those photos from it as you will be too I guess. |
I thought it might be!
What a scarce piece this seems to be.
_________________
- Dave
www.lensporn.net
www.flickr.com/photos/fatdeeman/
DSLR: Canon EOS 60D, Samsung GX-1S (Pentax *ist DS2)
Mirrorless: Panasonic DMC-G1, Sony NEX-5N
Compact: Canon PowerShot G3
Lenses:
Wide: Tokina RMC 28mm F/2.8, Tamron Adaptall 2 28mm F/2.5, Sun Optical 28mm F/2.5, Super paragon 28mm F/2.8, Sigma filtermatic 24mm F/2.8, Fujinon 35mm F/2.8, Sun Optical 35mm F/2.8
Standard: Industar 50-2, Helios 44-2, Helios 44M, Helios 44M-3, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.4, Pentax-M 50mm F/1.7, Pentax-M 50mm F/2, Ricoh 50mm F/1.7, Chinon 50mm F/1.7
Tele: Pentacon 135mm F/2.8, Pentacon 200mm F/3.5, Optomax 200mm f/3.5, Sun Optical 135mm F/3.5, Soligor 350mm F/5.6
Zoom: Tokina 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 SZ-X270 SD, Sigma Zoom Pi 35-200mm F4-5.6, Sun Optical 28-80mm F/3.5-4.5, Sunagor 80-205mm F/3.8, Tokina RMC 80-200mm F/4, Vivitar 70-150mm F/3.8, Tamron 95-205mm F/6.3, Tamron Adaptall 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical, Tokina RMC 70-210mm F/3.5
Mirror: Falcon (Samyang) 800mm F/8, MTO-11CA 1000mm F/10, Tamron Adaptall 2 500mm F/8
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BrianSVP
Joined: 09 Jun 2023
Posts: 644
Location: Philadelphia
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2026 12:21 am Post subject: |
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2026 12:21 am Post subject: |
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BrianSVP wrote:
Just posted a refurb of this lens on the following thread:
https://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1597690.html#1597690
The serial on the refurbed lens is very close to this one, 16 lower. |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3787
Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2026 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2026 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
The lens looks amazing, well done. I’m curious how the lens performs. |
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