Hanimar Auto S 135 / 2.8 What have I got here?

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I just received this Hanimar Auto S 135 / 2.8 , and it's unlike any other M42 lens I've ever seen - and I have got 131 M42 lenses at the moment. I know Hanimex are rebranders like Soligor and Vivitar, and generally use the same manufacturers, but the only thing this lens has in common with both my other Hanimex, and two Soligors, is the focus mark - the red lollipop in a white frame. ( The Soligors are Komine & Tokina according to the serial numbers )

The main things I haven't seen before are the Auto Stop Down pin is a brass pressing actuating a spring mechanism instead of the usual steel pin through the mount plate. The mount plate has no screws externally, access is from the inside of the lens. And the Auto - Manual swith is a long corrugated pressed brass switch unlike anything I've seen before.

Unfortunately the aperture doesn't work properly, I think there's a part missing - I could fix it - or I can return it. It's not bad wide open, it's sharp enough and CA's aren't bad, it's a bit low on contrast. The rear element is dead flat, the glass is perfect, But is it worth fixing? Is it a hidden gem? And do I need 29 M42 235's?

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3221 Location: The Netherlands

Quite some hits when you Google this lens. Doesn't seem to be a remarkable performer or a hidden gem if you read the comments.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Yes.... but there seems to be many versions, I found a few pictures and ebay listings for this version but no useful information at all, any kind of review seems to be for later versions that are pretty much the standard M42 build with a round pin through a hole in the mount plate, and a small A-M switch. And the reviews aren't exactly good. This lens is very different and the few test shots I've tried on a very damp and gloomy day aren't that bad. They will scrub up with very little processing.

This lens intrigues me, I'll probably return it, but I don't want to miss out on a potential collectible lens.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2536

Some wide open light metering solution I guess

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

An alternative to the usual M42 mount. Just a manufacturing design variant to achieve the same thing as the pin, maybe to get a simpler and cheaper mechanism.
It seems to be quite unusual. I have never seen this style of M42 mount before, so I would say its collectible, if your collection runs to cheap Japanese 1960's-70's third party lenses.