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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject: What is this lens? More Info? |
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justtorchit wrote:
I just found this lens on my local craiglist. The seller has no idea what it is other than that he got it from his father. I went ahead and picked it up (at what I think is probably a good price), if nothing else, it'll look awesome on the camera shelf, assuming I get a bigger wall unit...
The lens says Century Tele-Athenar and appears to open up to f/5.6. I found a "1000mm" on it as well. It has a 20 blade aperture. I have found one article through google that claims these century lenses were originally for motion picture work. I don't know a whole lot beyond that. Anyone have any more info or idea of what these typically sell for? I also think I am going to need a mount for the back in order to get a camera on this (if I can even use it like this).
Any help would be much appreciated!
By justtorchit at 2010-10-07
By justtorchit at 2010-10-07
By justtorchit at 2010-10-07
By justtorchit at 2010-10-07 _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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fatdeeman
Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 780 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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fatdeeman wrote:
_________________ - 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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OM
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 166 Location: Southern England
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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OM wrote:
According to this page it was a cine lens with either a C-mount or a T-mount:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography/2-23-08-tele-athenar/pg2pc7
A little more is available here if you scroll down (it's alphabetical):
http://web.archive.org/web/20021101165753/medfmt.8k.com/third/table1.txt
If it's a T-mount it's easily adaptable to DSLR but you'll need a big tripod
Sounds like a bit of a beast |
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fatdeeman
Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 780 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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fatdeeman wrote:
American company, now owned by Schneider.
Apparently a lot of these lenses belonged to the DOD.
Seems the lenses were for 35mm Cine but still photographers started buying them because they were very sharp.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sY2neBqnpTwC&pg=PA160&lpg=PA160&dq=%22Century+tele-athenar%22+1000mm&source=bl&ots=3gDONf17sH&sig=c1mrg_mm8yLfuu95MBKWhnL_tZ8&hl=en&ei=ZTmuTJZ-x8qMB4vsxFs&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Century%20tele-athenar%22%201000mm&f=false
I would have to guess it is worth some money, F/5.6 is pretty fast for 1000mm. I would love to see some samples, I saw some moon shots taken with the 800mm version once and they were tack sharp!
Apparently the company still provides lenses factory direct for people with enough money! _________________ - 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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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
The Century optics had a great reputation.
These were certainly not consumer-grade, as said, these were marketed and sold as professional or industrial( and military) instruments.
Very expensive items when new, and often get rather high resale value today.
I have a 200mm that was at one point modified to Nikon mount I need to test properly and post on when I get some time. _________________ 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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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
Thanks for links! After more looking I think I got this for a steal. It looks to be in awesome condition seeing as all the optics are fully intact and everything looks clean and clear. I am vexed by the rear mount which measures 5.5 cm in diameter with pretty fine threading. What mount is this? or is this a proprietary/arbitrary size for which I am missing some part that then has a T-mount on it? _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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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 Oct 07, 2010 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
"or is this a proprietary/arbitrary size for which I am missing some part that then has a T-mount on it?"
Yes, it appears so. I have a similar arrangement on mine.
I don't know if there was some sort of standard mount interface on the Century products. Some other makers of long multi-use lenses like Kilfitt had standard interfaces and standard adapters. In any case, even if these adapters existed it would be very difficult to find one of these loose on ebay.
If it is truly 55mm you could try a do-it-yourself adapter based on, perhaps, a 52-55 step-up ring. Add a reverse adapter and extension rings as needed. Its cheap to try one of these standard rings.
I would not force it though. If it doesn't fit you should look into getting a custom adapter machined, easiest would probably be M42, which is not only easy to machine but can be adapted to anything. I think your piece is valuable enough to justify this job. _________________ 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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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:06 am Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
Luis -
Are there any optics in your mount adapter? I am realizing, when I hold a camera behind this lens, the image does not appear to focus even after adjusting the focus. Was there any glass beyond the rear filter? _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:21 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
Mine has an element close to the mount, but that doesn't mean anything.
Mine is a 215mm f/3.5, a very different optical design I am sure.
I doubt yours had one, as it looks like there is a drop-in filter slot there at the rear, which is common on very long and large lenses.
I would guess that whatever adapter you need may need to be fairly long; if you are putting your camera right up to that mount you may be going way beyond infinity.
I would test thus - set that thing up on a tripod where you have a distant view, and set it to infinity. Hold your SLR without a lens behind it and move it slowly from flush with the mount backwards, trying to keep it parallel. I am thinking that you will get a sharp view within an inch or two. _________________ 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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martyn_bannister
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 1151
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:10 am Post subject: |
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martyn_bannister wrote:
Might be worth posting something in the cine-lenses sub-forum. I bought an antique video camera the other day with what looked like cracking lens on it. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a c-mount, with a register distance of something like 18mm. Unusable on anything other than a micro 4/3 body if you want infiinty focus.
You could trying checking the table HERE to see if anything matches your lens mount dimensions. |
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nemesis101
Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 2050 Location: Oregon USA
Expire: 2015-01-22
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:52 am Post subject: |
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nemesis101 wrote:
This is likely not the case with your lens, but i had a lens many many years ago that seemed not to focus at all - then by chance (this was pre internet) I chanced upon a magazine that was talking about aero lenses, and discovered that this lens was used for aerial spotting duties, and has an optimum focus of.... three MILES...
Ooops
Doug _________________ Lenses and cameras:
Amateurs worry about equipment
Pros worry about money,
Masters worry about light. |
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cheekygeek
Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 183
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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cheekygeek wrote:
Amazing Craigslist find! _________________ DSLR: Pentax K-3 II, D-BG5 grip, SLR: Pentax SP500, Pentax SP, Pentax SP II, Pentax Spotmatic F, MX, ME-Super, Super Program, pZ-1
Lenses:
Tele-Takumar: 300mm f6.3; 200mm f5.6; Takumar 200mm f3.5; Takumar 135mm f3.5; Macro-Takumar 50mm f4 (1:1)Super Takumars: 24mm f3.5, 55mm f2.0, 135mm f3.5; S-M-C Takumar 35mm f3.5, 50mm Macro f4.0 (1:2), 50mm f1.4, 135mm f2.5 (v2); Pentax SMC K 17mm f4 fisheye; Pentax-A: 50mm f1.4, 35-70mm f4; Pentacon: 50mm f1.8; Spiratone 85mm f1.8 (y/s); Vivitar: 85mm f1.8 preset; Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon Electric 35mm f2,4 |
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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
@luis - I think you're right. There are no elements beyond the filter slot and in more looking I think I just need the correct adapter. I contacted the seller to see if he can root around for more parts he may not have been aware belonged to this item.
@martyn - The problem is that the lens sort of just "ends" with this seemingly arbitrary thread. It had no recognizeable mount but I have read these lenses all originally were made to utilize T and C mounts. So I know there is a piece I am missing. This can be a good thing too since as Luis suggested, if I cannot find an adapter, I do still have the room behind the lens to have a part specially made leaving room for whatever registration distance the lens requires to focus on my DSLR. Ill check out the cine-lenses sub-forum! thanks!
@nemesis - haha! wow that's incredible. did you ever get in a plane or to the mountains to try it out? _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 12:50 am Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
Update! I emailed Schneider Kreuznach (who now owns Century) with the above images and questions. They replied today that surprisingly this lens is apparently only 10-15 years old. Also they do have the part I need to convert this to a T-mount ($125) as well as the filter holder! So I will most likely have this on its way soon!
Also, I worked a little more with holding the camera behind the lens and actually got crystal clear images. I may have just had some extraneous light coming in that I was unaware of or flare or something. So I will have some example images out as soon as I get the part! Thanks for all the help guys. _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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SkedAddled
Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 1441 Location: Michigan, USA
Expire: 2021-08-12
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:20 am Post subject: |
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SkedAddled wrote:
After viewing the pictures and reading the subsequent comments, I am most impressed, and interested to learn more.
If I may be so bold, David, can I ask what you paid for this lens? _________________ Craig
Of course I'm all right! Why? What have you heard!?
Canon Digital EOS 5D Mk IV, EOS 50D, Powershot S3 iS
Vivitar 28 f/2.8 OM - Zuiko 50 f/1.8 OM - Tamron SP 28-80 f/3.5 AD2[Favorite!] - Hanimar 135 f/3.5 M42 - Soligor 135 f/2.8 T4 - Tamron SP 60-300 f/3.8 AD2 - Soligor 75-260 f/4.5 M42 - Soligor 400 f/6.3 T4 - Soligor 500 f/8 T2 Cat + Matched 2X TC - Addiction Growing!
This is us -- We drive these -- We're named these |
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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
@ SkedAddled - I paid $150. I didn't have a lot to give and the seller and I agreed he could make more probably if he waited for the right buyer but sounded like he needed to make the deal now so I was fortunate enough. Seeing as how neither of us seemed to know what we were looking at, it seemed fair and safe should the lens turn out to be completely unusable. _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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Pancolart
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3705 Location: Slovenia, EU
Expire: 2013-11-18
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Pancolart wrote:
Jesus, that is like getting a Benz for a two beers. Congratulations you definitely made it to hall-of-fame best bargains ! _________________ ---------------------------------
The Peculiar Apparatus Of Victorian Steampunk Photography: 100+ Genuine Steampunk Camera Designs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92829NS |
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justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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justtorchit wrote:
haha thanks pancolart! I can't wait to try this thing out! _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
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walter g
Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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walter g wrote:
Pancolart wrote: |
Jesus, that is like getting a Benz for a two beers. Congratulations you definitely made it to hall-of-fame best bargains ! |
+1 _________________
Main cameras
Panasonic G5,Nikon J1,Pentax Q10,Sony Nex 6
Minolta MC W SI 2.5/28, MD 2.8/28, MC W SG 3.5/28, MC Celtic 3.5/28, MC W HG 2.8/35, MD Celtic 2.8/35, QE 4/35, Rokkor X 2/45, MC Rokkor X PG 1.4/50, MC Rokkor X PG 1.7/50, MD Rokkor X 1.7/50, MD 2/50, MC Rokkor PF 1.7/55, MC Rokkor PF 1.9/55, Auto Tele Rokkor PG 2.8/135, MC Tele Rokkor QD 3.5/135, TC 4/135, MC Celtic 4/200, MC Tele Rokkor PE 4.5/200
MD 28-70 f3.5-4.8, MD Macro 35-70 f3.5, Md 70-210 f4, MD Rokkor X 75-200 f4.5, MD 100-200 f5.6
Nikon Nikkor 4/20, O Auto 2/35, S Auto 1.4/50..... Miranda Auto 2.8/28, Auto 2.8/35, Auto 1.4/50, Auto EC 1.4/50, Auto 1.8/50, Auto EC 1.8/50,Auto 1.9/50, Auto 3.5/135
Various Soligor,Sun,Fujita,Komura,Spitatone, etc. Lenses
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