casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
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Post by casualcollector on May 22, 2013 22:40:27 GMT -5
I've picked these up out of curiosity. They are early automatic diaphragm Soligor from about 1966-67. Obviously very different from the typical Tokina made Soligors. The 135/2.8 is uncoupled Nikon F mount. The 200/4 is M-42. The 300/5.5 has a "pronghorn" Nikon F mount. The maker I am not certain of. The lenses have similarities to pre-set Kawanons. The 200 came with a brochure dated 12/66 that illustrates two of these in the Soligor automatic lens lineup that includes 28, 35, 135/3.5, 135/2.8 200, 250, and 300mm lenses. Image quality in the brochure isn't great but the 35, and 135s illustrated look like Tokinas. The 250 is very Tamron looking. The 28 appears to be the lens I attributed to Kino some time ago in another post. I'll scan the brochure and find a place to host it. I imagine they are few and far between. I'll be looking for more in different focal lengths.
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 22, 2013 22:21:20 GMT -5
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 19, 2013 21:29:21 GMT -5
I got mine for a dollar,too. It was in a pile with some cheap plastic P&S cameras. You guys are on to my tactics! I got my XA-3 that way and I have 6 Styli of various models that I don't think I paid more than $2 each.
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
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Post by casualcollector on May 17, 2013 18:14:27 GMT -5
With fresh batteries and cleaned contacts the camera seems to work fine. I'll take a closer look at the light seals and get a roll of film into it.
Truls, I can see why you call the XE a Leica copy. Or... is the R-3 a Minolta copy??
Mark, I agree with you. A step up in "feel" compared to the SRTs. I'll file away your advice on the wind mechanism for future use, if necessary.
I tend to lump the Minolta XE, Nikkormat/Nikon EL and Canon EF into one category. Very nice early experiments in electronic control of a camera. Very different from what came before but rather quickly succeeded by newer models.
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 16, 2013 15:19:50 GMT -5
Thanks, Stephen. These things usually turn out more complex than legend holds. I once thought I was of entirely Italian descent. I have since found out I am only half Italian. The other half being Sicilian!
The Juliet in my photo has been around a bit. Apparently in Long Beach, California for a while. It came to Rhode Island after being stripped of the superstructure it wore for the making of the film "K-19 Widowmaker".
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 16, 2013 5:47:40 GMT -5
Very interesting camera.
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 15, 2013 8:30:06 GMT -5
So. If it is anchored in the river it is neither Kentish Sub nor Sub of Kent? It's about ten years ago now but I photographed this "Juliet" tied up in Rhode Island, USA. It has since been a casualty of a winter storm. It flooded and sank at the dock and been scrapped.
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on May 12, 2013 22:02:30 GMT -5
A friend of mine bought one of these when he was in the service back in the 70s. I was very impressed with the look, feel and operation. Been keeping my eyes open for one at a reasonable price for about ten years. It turned up on the local Craigslist a couple of weeks ago. I picked it up in a nice kit of goodies yesterday. The camera didn't work when I first installed fresh batteries. A little scrubbing of the battery cap and inside contact has fixed it. Next... a roll of film!
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 29, 2013 17:32:19 GMT -5
Moon rising over the Indian River in Sebastian, Florida. I keep trying to perfect this image. I want the moon right on the horizon in a dark, clear twilight. It's a matter of patience waiting for the right weather and timing. I used my EOS DSLR with a Canon 100 - 300 zoom at 300mm.
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 27, 2013 16:24:51 GMT -5
You sure found an odd duck with that one Doug! Sawyers was successful with projectors, guess they wanted an SLR to round out the product line.
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 24, 2013 22:31:28 GMT -5
Nice catch, Doug! Looks good.
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 18, 2013 18:50:51 GMT -5
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 18, 2013 18:41:03 GMT -5
Sears lenses came from different makers at different times. There are instances of Yashica buying lenses from suppliers other than their usual supplier cum subsidiary Tomioka. Troll the postings here for a look into the mysteries of who made what! forum.mflenses.com/manual-focus-lenses-f3.htmlI have Sears lenses from Sigma, Tokina and a Korean builder. The 50-55mm normals depended on who the cameras were being bought from and include Mamiya, Ricoh, and Chinon, at different times. To muddy the waters further, the 55mm f-1.8 and 55mm f-1.4 from the three mentioned are so similar, once you get past the cosmetics, They may have all come from the same source or were built to the same design. I made a post about that somewhere years ago. A comparison of five 55mm f-1.8 lenses. I'll link it if I find it.
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casualcollector
Lifetime Member
In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 15, 2013 20:01:52 GMT -5
Metering at full aperture with a "stop down" lens is like chasing your tail. The FD lenses have a stud on the rear surface that calibrates the meter for the maximum aperture of the lens. The meter has to be informed if it's measuring through an aperture of f-1.4 or f-3.5. The FL lenses had no stud to calibrate the meter. Your 28mm may be working just by lucky coincidence.
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casualcollector
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In Search of "R" Serial Soligors
Posts: 619
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Post by casualcollector on Apr 5, 2013 14:05:39 GMT -5
Agreed. I own a bunch of them and have "peeked under the hood" of a few. Top of the line in material and workmanship on the traditional stuff.
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