Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Are these any good?
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:38 pm    Post subject: Are these any good? Reply with quote
I found these lenses in M42 mount at the local camera store. I'm not familiar with performance for any of these, so i was wondering perhaps there are some hidden gems in here??? Anyone heard of them, used them? Opinions?


F. S. C. Auto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Montgomery Ward Auto WA 28/2.8 (made in Japan)
Suntar Auto Wide 35/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto Sears MC Zoom, 35-70/3.5 (made in Japan)
Chelsea Auto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto Vivitar Telephoto 135/2.8 (made in Japan - possibly Tokina serial starts with 37)
Suntar Auto Telephoto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Hanimar Auto "S" 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
MC Sakar Zoom Makro 75-205/4.5 (made in Korea)
Osawa MC 28/2.8 (made in Japan)
Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 35/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto Makinon Multi Coated 28/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto GAF 50/1.9 (made in Japan)


PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I know three decent lenses of the list:

Auto Sears MC Zoom, 35-70/3.5

Auto Vivitar Telephoto 135/2.8

Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 35/2.8.

Perhaps a fourth

Auto GAF 50/1.9 may be chinon especifications lens


PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
sonyrokkor wrote:
I know three decent lenses of the list:

Auto Sears MC Zoom, 35-70/3.5

Auto Vivitar Telephoto 135/2.8

Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 35/2.8.

Perhaps a fourth

Auto GAF 50/1.9 may be chinon especifications lens



Decent enough to pay $20-$30 for each???


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've got a couple of the Hoya HMC Wide Auto's, but they are 24 and 28mm, and both good lenses.

The Vivitar should be a Tokina with that number, and that's another lens I have and like a lot.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ditto on the Vivitar 135

It might be in T4 interchangable mount. If so its certainly worth $30+ as the m42 T4's are desirable.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lloydy wrote:
I've got a couple of the Hoya HMC Wide Auto's, but they are 24 and 28mm, and both good lenses.

The Vivitar should be a Tokina with that number, and that's another lens I have and like a lot.


Thanks. I hear quite often that kiron (kino) vivitars supposedly are the best (with serial starting 22). Have 2 28/2.5 and i must say, not really impressed by them. I also have Komine vivitar (serial 2Cool and not impressed with it either. I will give tokina viv a try though. So far, i've had good experience with tokina rebranded lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
luisalegria wrote:
Ditto on the Vivitar 135

It might be in T4 interchangable mount. If so its certainly worth $30+ as the m42 T4's are desirable.


Yes it has that weird looking switch on the place where auto/manual switch should be. As a matter of fact, i remember there was another soligor 135/2.8 with the same odd looking switch though.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:49 am    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
Jvg wrote:
I found these lenses in M42 mount at the local camera store. I'm not familiar with performance for any of these, so i was wondering perhaps there are some hidden gems in here??? Anyone heard of them, used them? Opinions?

F. S. C. Auto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Montgomery Ward Auto WA 28/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto Sears MC Zoom, 35-70/3.5 (made in Japan)
Chelsea Auto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Hanimar Auto "S" 135/2.8 (made in Japan)
Osawa MC 28/2.8 (made in Japan)
Auto Makinon Multi Coated 28/2.8 (made in Japan)


Nameless off-brand lenses. Sellers orders lenses with same focal length, f-number and his "brand name" on the nameplate ring from different ODM manufacturers, so no one can say something about it without photo.

Jvg wrote:

Suntar Auto Wide 35/2.8 (made in Japan)
Suntar Auto Telephoto 135/2.8 (made in Japan)


Lenses from famous japanese ODM manufacturer "Sun". Many of the off-brand lenses made by them. Average lenses.

Jvg wrote:

MC Sakar Zoom Makro 75-205/4.5 (made in Korea)


Made by Samyang at 1980s. Cheap, not sharp, good finish. Better use it for parts.

Jvg wrote:

Auto GAF 50/1.9 (made in Japan)


Same as the Chinon 50/1.9

Jvg wrote:

Auto Vivitar Telephoto 135/2.8 (made in Japan - possibly Tokina serial starts with 37)
Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 35/2.8 (made in Japan)


Good lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, both Allied Impex (Soligor) and Ponder&Best (Vivitar) sold the Tokina T4's under their brands.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
nukemall wrote:


Jvg wrote:

Auto Vivitar Telephoto 135/2.8 (made in Japan - possibly Tokina serial starts with 37)
Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 35/2.8 (made in Japan)


Good lenses.


Would you rate it 4.5 on a scale from 1 to 5?


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
luisalegria wrote:
Yes, both Allied Impex (Soligor) and Ponder&Best (Vivitar) sold the Tokina T4's under their brands.


Hi Luis,

how do the vivs and sols 135 compare to lets say super takumar 135/3.5 or yashinon-dx 135/2.8?

btw, i am not impressed with yashinon at all, so i've decided to sell it. but absolutely love the takumar...


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Jvg wrote:
luisalegria wrote:
Yes, both Allied Impex (Soligor) and Ponder&Best (Vivitar) sold the Tokina T4's under their brands.


Hi Luis,

how do the vivs and sols 135 compare to lets say super takumar 135/3.5 or yashinon-dx 135/2.8?

btw, i am not impressed with yashinon at all, so i've decided to sell it. but absolutely love the takumar...


I have Yashinon DSB 135mm f2.8 and stunning sharp wide open, may you can give it a chance if you find any.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:

I have Yashinon DSB 135mm f2.8 and stunning sharp wide open, may you can give it a chance if you find any.


Sure. If i come across any, i will give it a try. Smile
Thanks for recommendation Atilla.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
aside from the Hoya, I wouldnt waste my time and money on the rest. Buy brand name lenses instead.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can't tell the difference in sharpness between the Vivitar/Tokina 135 and the Takumar 135/3.5 at f/4
The Vivitar is a bit soft at f/2.8, but so are most 135's.
Bokeh is better than the Takumar I think. But that Takumar is known for pretty hard-edged bokeh.
You may be able to find a difference if you run a real test, unlike my general impressions from use.
It also depends on what sort of sensor you have. I have a 12mp APS-C. Some of the newer 4/3 sensors for instance tend to show more differences between lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
Jvg wrote:
I found these lenses in M42 mount at the local camera store. I'm not familiar with performance for any of these, so i was wondering perhaps there are some hidden gems in here??? Anyone heard of them, used them? Opinions?

*list*




I like that Hoya! I'd buy it for sure if it were a 28mm at price circa US$25-US$30. At 35mm, to be honest, I almost surely still would buy it!!

'Course condition determines price big time. I'm thinking of a lens in decent to nice condition, not a junker or a parts lens.

And remember: You can fix a lot of things that go wrong with lenses . . . . but glass scratches are forever and are irreparable. Watch out for 'em. Even coating damage is a downer . . . at least for me.

Finally, no lens is worth buying if you cannot mount it on your camera body. You didn't mention the mounts. Be sure any lens you choose works on your camera body . . . . . . . . . unless you plan to flip the lens, of course. Lotsa that goes on.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
guardian wrote:


Finally, no lens is worth buying if you cannot mount it on your camera body. You didn't mention the mounts. Be sure any lens you choose works on your camera body . . . . . . . . . unless you plan to flip the lens, of course. Lotsa that goes on.


those lenses are in M42 mount, as mentioned in the first post. Smile Condition of the Hoya is clean, pristine. Though i couldn't get the aperture ring to turn, but store owner was able to, and i didn't pay attention. I'll ask him again to show me how he was able to rotate that ring.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Avoid Osawa MC 28/2.8 (made in Japan), but my Auto Makinon Multi Coated 28/2.8 (made in Japan) is quite good if you need a 28mm and short of money but not worth $20-$30 as there seems to be copy variations as I give it thumbs up and the Pentax forum gives it a thumbs down (probably comparing it with a Tak 28mm Smile )


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
Jvg wrote:
guardian wrote:


Finally, no lens is worth buying if you cannot mount it on your camera body. You didn't mention the mounts. Be sure any lens you choose works on your camera body . . . . . . . . . unless you plan to flip the lens, of course. Lotsa that goes on.


those lenses are in M42 mount, as mentioned in the first post. Smile Condition of the Hoya is clean, pristine. Though i couldn't get the aperture ring to turn, but store owner was able to, and i didn't pay attention. I'll ask him again to show me how he was able to rotate that ring.


Sorry, missed it. See it now. The M42 mounts would be important to me, though not necessarily to others here . . . and I respect their opinions.

But to me, the universality of that mount enhances value of any lens with it. You get people crawling out of the corners with weird cameras who nevertheless can use lenses that mount M42, and who want them. Even low end or junker lenses with M42 can still have some value just for the mount itself. You take it off, "throw away" the junker lens remains, and use the mount to enhance applicability breadth of a fine lens with an undesirable mount.

Can you tell? I like M42 mount lenses. I just have a lot of trouble finding them. Sad


PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think a good copy of the Auto Chinon 50 1.9 would be worth 20 or 30 dollars, especially if it's metal and in M42 mount. Most that I have seen were plastic and pentax k-mount.


PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
luisalegria wrote:

You may be able to find a difference if you run a real test, unlike my general impressions from use.
It also depends on what sort of sensor you have. I have a 12mp APS-C. Some of the newer 4/3 sensors for instance tend to show more differences between lenses.


i got regular 18mp canon 1.6 APS-C sensor, so i might notice differences. but sharpness isn't my only goal. I could ignore lack of sharpness so long there is great to excellent color resolution/saturation, contrast, and low to none aberrations.

i could actually buy the viv and soligor, just for the sake of testing them out. but i wonder, if case if i am not satisfied - will i be able to sell them at same price...


PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Excalibur wrote:
Avoid Osawa MC 28/2.8 (made in Japan), but my Auto Makinon Multi Coated 28/2.8 (made in Japan) is quite good if you need a 28mm and short of money but not worth $20-$30 as there seems to be copy variations as I give it thumbs up and the Pentax forum gives it a thumbs down (probably comparing it with a Tak 28mm Smile )


ok. got it. thanks Smile


PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:14 am    Post subject: Re: Are these any good? Reply with quote
guardian wrote:
I like M42 mount lenses. I just have a lot of trouble finding them. Sad


I like them too. But i got few too many and try to keep my collection tidy, add only those that are perhaps legendary, well known and respected for their performance, and even consider getting hidden less known gems.. but i rather not waste money on junkers.

btw, where you at? if you're looking for normal primes in m42, i might hook you up.


PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ultron wrote:
I think a good copy of the Auto Chinon 50 1.9 would be worth 20 or 30 dollars, especially if it's metal and in M42 mount. Most that I have seen were plastic and pentax k-mount.


it's a metal barrel with leather-ish strip on focus ring. quite good looking lens, i must admit.


PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Jvg wrote:
Ultron wrote:
I think a good copy of the Auto Chinon 50 1.9 would be worth 20 or 30 dollars, especially if it's metal and in M42 mount. Most that I have seen were plastic and pentax k-mount.


it's a metal barrel with leather-ish strip on focus ring. quite good looking lens, i must admit.


That's old style Chinon, I only know the 50 1.9 in more modern style Chinon, both in plastic and metal, and both in M42 and pentax K mount.


They are the same as the auto revuenon shown here
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=53884
But the plastic version has no rubber focus grip but plastic spikes.

Optically a good copy of this lens is excellent, as show here
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=39439

I don't know if this older version is the same optically but for 20 or 30 dollars I would buy it, especially because I never saw it in that style or with that name.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2