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Accura Diamatic 300/5.5 - Frankensteins lens monster !
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:34 am    Post subject: Accura Diamatic 300/5.5 - Frankensteins lens monster ! Reply with quote

I picked this thing up for 99 cents (plus shipping) -



This used to be an automatic YS-mount lens (interchangable mount system with aperture linkage based on the T-mount thread). I have no firm idea who made it, but it looks a lot like a preset lens series that may have been made by Tokina, and Tokina had a thing about f/5.5 for 300mm's. But I didn't think Tokina ever did YS-mount anything, they weren't part of that consortium. But anything is possible.

But someone had, for some odd reason, converted this to be a manual Exakta mount, by removing the aperture linkage and replacing the 42x.75 T-thread ring with an Exakta mount ring, rather crudely. And of course they changed the length to get the back focus right for Exakta (which is @10mm off from native T or YS mount), by screwing with the stops on the helical. The trouble with that is that there are static elements near the diaphragm that don't move while focusing, so this sort of tinkering is likely to get everything out of alignment.

So I replaced that kludge with a PK->M42 adapter - just drilling holes in the right spots, and trying to get the helical to where it gives me infinity.

I wasn't expecting much (there has been a little too much, er, surgery done to this thing). But it turns out that Frankensteins lens monster has special powers. This is a pretty good lens, sharp at f/5.5, high contrast, little flare, pleasant to use. Goodness knows whether its better or worse than it was when new. I hope it doesn't still want revenge on its maker !

All at f/5.5 as it was a dim and foggy day at the zoo.













The bird, well, no, the ape -

I messed up on this shot, as there were plants in the way, and I haven't fixed it properly -



100% crop -



PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, great lens! Especially like the...marsupial(?) shot!

How much was shipping, 100 bucks? Laughing That looks a big heavy beast.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Luis you are the King of lenses. These are just fantastic.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy, Luis is also a Pentax shooter. Wink


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes another convincing Pentax shooter. Cool


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am in total awe.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fantastic captures! Gorilla is awesome!


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seems to be a nice lens, I love its soft and creamy bokeh...

Congrats, Luis!.

Jes.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent shots looks like you could take out tanks with it as well Shocked


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Luis

Terrific, but I suspect you could do wonders with the average bottom of a bottle Very Happy Very Happy



patrickh


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For an all-metal 300mm its pretty light.

Its nicely finished in gloss enamel, though the engraving is not the best. These features are not typical of Tokina.

Its not that sharp, certainly it isn't going to give me a flower like Khan just posted from his Sigma. Its really just a usable curiosity.

The furry creature in #5 is a Meerkat, from Southern Africa.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Luis wrote:
Its not that sharp, certainly it isn't going to give me a flower like Khan just posted from his Sigma

only if you use the same unsharp mask


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was so impressed Rolling Eyes that I buy for a very few euro this:






I suppose it's a latest version (?).

Some shot - without tripod - no elaboration:

#1


#2


#3


crop 100%


#4


crop 100%


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got one too branded "Super Carenar" in its original box. It's a pretty decent performer actually! Mine has MC and I believe these are all made by Sankor (I'm sure I've seen a Sankor one, and they all have the E serial number).


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I now think these were Sankors. I have a couple of other lenses made by Sankor in this automatic mount series. The nice one is the 105/2.5


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:
Yes, I now think these were Sankors. I have a couple of other lenses made by Sankor in this automatic mount series. The nice one is the 105/2.5


Agree, the 105mm is an absolute cracker!


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 10:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

F16SUNSHINE wrote:
Luis you are the King of lenses. These are just fantastic.

+10


PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Luis, the first cousin was smelling the flower or preparing to eat it?


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 12:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In wich others brands we can find that lens?


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 2:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't recall exactly what Mrs. Gorilla was doing, it was two years ago. Eating it probably.

Brands I have seen this lens -
Accura
Optomax
Mayfair Sankor
Sankor

Two of these brands are from the UK.
Its not as common in the US as it probably was in Europe.


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 4:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Luis.


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also have this lens and have found it to be a decent lens ,But the poster had the better deal since mine cost about $50.00 but I'm glad I have it.


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The pics showed at the first don't seem to be taken with only a decent lens, but a very good one.


PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another good Sankor made lens Very Happy Super results, congratz!