Post by casualcollector on Mar 12, 2009 23:00:43 GMT -5
The origin of lenses seems to be of interest to several members here. Brand does not usually equate with manufacturer, especially with Japanese made lenses. Here's a little speculation on four lenses, bearing three brands, all from the same maker (in my opinion).
On the left is a Promatic 35/2.8 given to me several years ago. P.R.O. is a Connecticut, USA based buying consortium and distributor. The lens is fitted for Canon FL series cameras (FX, FT, Pellix and others). I had no idea who manufactured it. Same for the Soligor 28/2.8 on the right. Soligor was the trademark of Allied Impex Corp, a US based importer and distributor.
Look closely at the Soligor, again on the right. I bought it off e-bay because it didn't seem to match the usual Tokina made Soligors. The Soligor is also in Canon FL mount and bears some Canon like features, notably the shiny black finish common to most Canon FL lenses of the time.
I had both of them out together one day and started noticing some similarities. Despite differeing focal lengths and finishes, the breech lock rings seemed nearly identical. Both had A-M switches for the iris in the same location.
Looking at the rear face of the lens showed further similarities. Notice the spanner holes around the rear element. I felt they came from the same maker but with different finish and knurlings specified by the importer. Another bit of e-bay shopping turned up a clue.
The Vivitar 35/2.8 on the right bore a strong resemblance to the Promatic. While the feet and meter scales are transposed, the rest of the markings match up closely. Both lenses also close to f22 and again A-M switches are in the same location. The apparent difference in length is accounted for by the Vivitar being an M42 mount lens.
The clincher for me is the spanner holes for the rear group. I think the Promatic and the Vivitar came from the same maker and so did the Soligor 28. The Vivitar serial beginning with 22 is the clue that the maker should be Kino Precision. I say "should be" as the serial doesn't seem to follow, exactly, the information generally found on the web about Vivitar serials.
I don't think I've seen many Vivitar 35/2.8 lenses. Those that I have seen bore serials beginning with 37 and looked like Tokinas. Until this one, I haven't seen a Kino 35/2.8. One other headscratcher is the the fact that the Kino/Soligor 28 is a 2.8, unlike the common Kino/Vivitar 28/2.5.
Here's another Vivitar 35/2.8, picked up at a local thrift store a few weeks ago. Dressed in solid black, I'd guess it's a newer version of the lens on the right. Serials on both start 229xxx. Perhaps these lenses pre-date the documented Vivitar numbering system. The third digit in the serial shouldn't be a 9 on both lenses if you assume the black lens is newer. Here is a page on the Vivitar numbering system. www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm
The Promatic lens seems to be a good picture maker. Here’s an image I took with it several years ago. www.vermontel.net/~wsalati/CasualCollector/cammer.htm
I’m not saying the information I’ve presented is absolutely correct. It’s a conclusion based on observed similarities of the lenses and identifying the maker via the serial number on the Vivitar units. I’d like to hear what you think.
Bill
On the left is a Promatic 35/2.8 given to me several years ago. P.R.O. is a Connecticut, USA based buying consortium and distributor. The lens is fitted for Canon FL series cameras (FX, FT, Pellix and others). I had no idea who manufactured it. Same for the Soligor 28/2.8 on the right. Soligor was the trademark of Allied Impex Corp, a US based importer and distributor.
Look closely at the Soligor, again on the right. I bought it off e-bay because it didn't seem to match the usual Tokina made Soligors. The Soligor is also in Canon FL mount and bears some Canon like features, notably the shiny black finish common to most Canon FL lenses of the time.
I had both of them out together one day and started noticing some similarities. Despite differeing focal lengths and finishes, the breech lock rings seemed nearly identical. Both had A-M switches for the iris in the same location.
Looking at the rear face of the lens showed further similarities. Notice the spanner holes around the rear element. I felt they came from the same maker but with different finish and knurlings specified by the importer. Another bit of e-bay shopping turned up a clue.
The Vivitar 35/2.8 on the right bore a strong resemblance to the Promatic. While the feet and meter scales are transposed, the rest of the markings match up closely. Both lenses also close to f22 and again A-M switches are in the same location. The apparent difference in length is accounted for by the Vivitar being an M42 mount lens.
The clincher for me is the spanner holes for the rear group. I think the Promatic and the Vivitar came from the same maker and so did the Soligor 28. The Vivitar serial beginning with 22 is the clue that the maker should be Kino Precision. I say "should be" as the serial doesn't seem to follow, exactly, the information generally found on the web about Vivitar serials.
I don't think I've seen many Vivitar 35/2.8 lenses. Those that I have seen bore serials beginning with 37 and looked like Tokinas. Until this one, I haven't seen a Kino 35/2.8. One other headscratcher is the the fact that the Kino/Soligor 28 is a 2.8, unlike the common Kino/Vivitar 28/2.5.
Here's another Vivitar 35/2.8, picked up at a local thrift store a few weeks ago. Dressed in solid black, I'd guess it's a newer version of the lens on the right. Serials on both start 229xxx. Perhaps these lenses pre-date the documented Vivitar numbering system. The third digit in the serial shouldn't be a 9 on both lenses if you assume the black lens is newer. Here is a page on the Vivitar numbering system. www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm
The Promatic lens seems to be a good picture maker. Here’s an image I took with it several years ago. www.vermontel.net/~wsalati/CasualCollector/cammer.htm
I’m not saying the information I’ve presented is absolutely correct. It’s a conclusion based on observed similarities of the lenses and identifying the maker via the serial number on the Vivitar units. I’d like to hear what you think.
Bill