konica varifocus vs zoom

[Paul Howell]

I'm thinking about add a zoom or varifocus to my Konica primes either the 35 to 100 2.8 Varifocal vs the 45 to 100 3.5 zoom. I understand the difference between a varifocal and zoom, my question which is likely sharper. As both are 60s vintage lens maybe the varifocus is sharper?

 

[btaylor]

From that era I think definitely the vari-focus would be sharper. ‘60s vintage zooms had a deservedly poor reputation. My understanding (never had one) was that the vari-focus were close to the primes of the era. Just what I read back in the day-

 

[Paul Howell]

That's what I recall, kind of like the pro level zooms of the day, and it's faster than the corresponding zoom.

 

[Paul Howell]

Found one on Ebay, from Hong Kong, $800 plus shipping, may get a Series1.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Construction wise, a vari-focus would have effectively an internal tele-converter that moves to change focal length. This adds only two or three elements to the main lens, and without the attempt to automatically maintain focus, you'll refocus and (presumably) hit critical again when you do. A zoom is more optically complex, and mechanically so as well, because of the attempt (not always very successful, back in the day) to maintain focus as you change magnification. If you defocus and refocus after zooming, even the early ones aren't terrible, but they'll never compete with a prime -- and a vari-focus can do about as well as a prime with a factory-matched tele-converter at any given setting (which will blow those early zooms out of the water).

 

[Paul Howell]

Seems so, I'll keep looking, seems like a rare lens so the price might be higher than I'm willing to pay.

 

[craigclu]

I had one (Hexanon Vari-focal) many years back (30+) and the results were quite good. I found I wasn't using it much for some reason, maybe its bulk? I happened to be looking at some old prints today and was just recalling that lens from some prints I recall being shot via that lens. Odd that the topic came up in here at the same time. I had a real prime bias back then (deservedly) so that was some of the reason I didn't reach for it, I suppose.

 

[Paul Howell]

Konica Zooms have a good reputation, might consider the 45 to 100 3.5 or Series1.