Serise (Sankor) 2.5/105 on NEX-3

[iangreenhalgh1]

I have not had much luck with 100/105mm lenses. First one I had was a mint Meyer Orestor 2.8/100, a very nice lens but it had the very annoying stop down lever and was in Exakta which reduced it's usefulness so I sold it for twice what I paid for it. Then I bought a Palinar (Tokina) 4/100 which was okay, sharp enough but lacking in contrast and with flat, muted colours, results were okay after some PP and the lens was small and in M42 (T mount) so was useful, but I want excellent lenses not 'okay' ones so it was sold too. Next was a Miranda 2.8/105, either a Tokina or a Sun, it was okay, very well built, similar to a Takumar, soft and glowy wide open, acceptable at f4, not bad at f5.6, I sold it when I sold all my Miranda gear. Then I spotted a mint early Konica F 2.9/100, supposed to be a superb lens, but I still haven't found an adapter so can't use it. After that I found an early Minolta 2.8/100 in great condition but with the aperture stuck wide open, probably oil, so not tried that one ether, have to get it fixed.

I was going to buy a Nikkor 2.5/105 but I spotted this Sankor very cheap and in excellent condition and having seen the results others have had with this lens I grabbed it.

Some quick test shots on the NEX-3 today and I'm very happy with it, wide open the sharpness and contrast are both very good with pleasant bokeh and bright colours, a little green and red CA on the oof areas but that's to be expected. I highly recommend this lens if you see it cheap, although it's not very
common. If this is typical of Sankor lenses, I'll keep my eye out for more of them.

All wide open, no PP:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

100% crop:

[Attila]

Very good result , especially from a noname lens.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Yes, I was surprised, I have tried a lot of cheap Japanese lenses and very very few impressed me, this one has.

[Lloydy]

Get the Rokkor sorted, you might be pleasantly surprised. But this Sankor is OK.

[Nordentro]

You got it, Congratz!

This has been one of my favorite lenses for years!! The bokeh, sharpness and contrast is outstanding IMO.
A true highly underrated lens...

The Sankor 135mm f/2.8 (same design) is also pretty good, but the 200mm f/3.9 is not as nice. Enjoy the lens!

Cheers
Lars

[iangreenhalgh1]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I just realised, I have the 3.9/200 in Petri mount, I think with Sun branding. Not seen it for a while, it will be in the back of my cupboard, I'll have to dig it out.

[RSalles]

[iangreenhalgh1]

[luisalegria]

You are much more discriminating than I am, so this is quite a testimonial for this lens.

[iangreenhalgh1]

[ManualFocus-G]

This is a really great lens for portraits. I identified my Aetna branded copy on here about 5 years ago and will certainly be keeping it

[iangreenhalgh1]

I took the lens out for a more thorough test and again it impressed me.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

[Attila]

Excellent lens indeed, red something especially impressive.

[iangreenhalgh1]

It's the end of an old boat anchor.

Here's a few handheld HDRs I did at the same time:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6