• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

105/2.8 Rikenon Macro

dynachrome

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
1,861
Format
35mm
I just bought a 105/2.8 Rikenon on the auction site. If the lens matches the description then the price was right. I have one Kiron version in Minolta MD mount, two Vivitar 100/2.8 versions in Canon FD mount and one Vivitar 100/2.8 version in Nikon AIS mount. The Rikenon is the odd one because it has the P pin. I have to be careful not to mount it on any Pentax AF film camera or on my K-x. It would get stuck and never come off. I do have several Ricoh cameras that use the P pin but I will probably use the lens mostly on manual focus Pentax and other K mount cameras.

I know that there are Kiron 105, Vivitar 100 and Vivitar 105 versions in Pentax K-A mount and I may look to get one of those too. In K mount I have the 100/4 Pentax, a number of Cosina-made 100/3.5 lenses and both versions of the Tamron SP 90/2.5.
 
I'm not clear if you are gathering lenses for a 100mm Macro Lens Museum or some other endeavor, but the Rikenon 105mm f2.8 was made by Kino/Kiron. It might have been sold under other labels with other mounts, as well.

I must confess that I only use a single long MACRO, a Vivitar 105mm MACRO f2.5 -- made by Kiron -- but the Sigma 90mm MACRO f2.8 is a mighty fine optic, but apparently not on your radar screen.

Here's a list that might help you out no matter what your goal happens to be:

http://www.subclub.org/minman/lenstable.htm
 
I just happen to like that lens design. What about Sigma? I have the 90/2.8 Macro with the close-up lens for 1:1 in Minolta manual focus mount and two Sigma 90/2.8 AF Macros in Minolta A mount.
 
The Sigma that passed my way reached 1:1 without an extension tube or 1:1 close-up lens. The extension tube was built-in. I have to assume the optical design was different from the other Sigma 90mm f2.8 MACRO -- I think it is 10/9.

I say "passed my way" because I'm selling it on EBAY right now -- if you need more information about it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166187887773
 
A humorous note about the first reply from xkaes - I read it to my ***** wife and her response was "He should see your office." Yes, my office is shared with much of my camera collection. It keeps me company while I work. Do I have other 100mm macro lenses? I sure do. Too many to mention here now. The Minolta mount Sigma macro with accessories looks very nice. That 90 is indeed a later model than the manual focus one I have. I have a number of the similar looking Sigma 50/2.8 manual focus macro lenses, which also go to 1:1 without additional tubes. Working at 4X magnification requires great care and patience. When I have done it in the past, I either reversed a wide angle lens using an auto ring or used a Minolta Auto Bellows III with the 25mm f/2.5 Bellows Rokkor.
{Moderator's note - fixed that for you - we do whatever we can for marital harmony}
 
Last edited by a moderator:
While you may have a harem of macro lenses, I look at macro lenses as I do wives -- one is MORE than enough.
 
Curious what you all are using the lens for. I always struggle with macro subject matter due to the shallow DoF. I already took a picture of a coin and a watch. What next?? I'm half joking but half serious too. I don't have any good prints from my macro lenses.

Anyone care to share some images?
 
Minolta Rokkor-X 100mm f4 Macro Bellows -- (second generation) @f16. DOF problem? I wouldn't want the whole thing in focus.

 
Last edited:
ic-racer said:
I always struggle with macro subject matter due to the shallow DoF.
Click to expand...

For anyone having this problem, the first thing to do is turn off the auto-focusing -- if it's being used. A complete waste for macro work. Then focus on the most important plane of the subject, stop down as much as you dare/need, and use a tripod.
 
A few things - first let me say the photo is very nice. I have used that lens to photograph stamps with a bellows and a copy stand. While I have many lenses, I have had only one wife. We will celebrate our 34th anniversary later this year. I don't use AF for macro work either. In the AF macro range I have the 60/2.8 and 105/2.8 AF Nikkors, two 50/2.8 AF Minoltas, a 50/3.5 AF Minolta, two Sigma 90/2.8 AFs in A Mount and two 50/2.8 Sigmas, also in A Mount. I don't know how many of the Cosina made 100/3.5 AF macros I have. They are noisy but good.
 
xkaes said:
For anyone having this problem, the first thing to do is turn off the auto-focusing -- if it's being used. A complete waste for macro work. Then focus on the most important plane of the subject, stop down as much as you dare/need, and use a tripod.
Click to expand...

Actually the only answer to lack of DoF is to go to a smaller format (reduce the 'Magnification' factor in the DoF equation). Otherwise, physics is always working against one.
 
The Rikenon arrived today and is in very nice condition. I forgot that it focuses the Nikon way and not the Canon way.
 
I just looked at the Vivitar version in Nikon AIS mount. It focuses the Canon way.
 
Why not collect both for "The Macro Museum"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register