S.O.L /Rank/ Taylor & Hobson 100mm f3.5

removedacct2 · Feb 26, 2023

I have seen for sale with this description:

A rare British enlarging lens, S.O.L. were part of the Rank (Taylor Hobson) lens making facility, likely from the late 1960s / early 1970s ... Mounting thread is NOT the usual 39mm, this is a 1 3/4" (Imperial, not Metric) thread

I can't find specs. I guess this may be a Tessar scheme?

MattKing · Feb 26, 2023

It is not surprising that it would be rare, given its unfortunate S.O.L. designation

removedacct2 · Feb 26, 2023

I am afraid my english is too bad to get the joke .... Anyway I was looking for something else than the Meopta Belar 105mm and Lytkarino Industar-23U 110mm I use by now for 6x9 BW. These are Tessar and I was thinking to see what brings a 6/4 (lenses/groups).
I spotted a cheap Fujinon-EP 105mm f5.6 and bought it, so the mystery SOL will be for some other time.

MattKing · Feb 26, 2023

antonio_b said:
I am afraid my english is too bad to get the joke

Sorry - S.O.L. is sometimes used as an acronym for "S**** Out of Luck".
And that, of course, might also be too much into the vernacular to make sense for someone whose first language is not English.
I'm glad you found a lens you are happy with!

Dan Fromm · Mar 1, 2023

antonio_b said:
I have seen for sale with this description:

A rare British enlarging lens, S.O.L. were part of the Rank (Taylor Hobson) lens making facility, likely from the late 1960s / early 1970s ... Mounting thread is NOT the usual 39mm, this is a 1 3/4" (Imperial, not Metric) thread

I can't find specs. I guess this may be a Tessar scheme?

View attachment 330690

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Interesting. I've found no evidence that Taylor Hobson had anything to do with S.O.L. I wonder why the seller thinks so.

removedacct2 · Mar 2, 2023

Dan Fromm said:
I've found no evidence that Taylor Hobson had anything to do with S.O.L. I wonder why the seller thinks so.

the seller is a trader of used photographic equipment, shops in Liverpool and Manchester. Told me the owner has extensive knowledge of british lenses, but currently away on holidays. I had a look at Wilkinson's lens vademecum but found not mention of "SOL" or "S.O.L."

Steve906 · Mar 3, 2023

Not Taylor Hobson as far as I know - worked there from 79 to 92 and never heard of these? also worked for Cooke. maybe related to dallmeyer there is one photo I found on the net of an s.o.l. lens with a Dallmeyer lens box next to it with Dallmeyer crossed out and s.o.l. hand written in. Could be a decent lens though, just judging by the number of iris leaves.
Also looks like modern-ish anodised aluminium finish.

removedacct2 · Mar 4, 2023

Steve906 said:
Not Taylor Hobson as far as I know - worked there from 79 to 92 and never heard of these? also worked for Cooke. maybe related to dallmeyer

thank you, very useful. Maybe a shop name.
Other occurrence I found is in a shop in Manchester, this 184mm lens:

Steve906 said:
Could be a decent lens though, just judging by the number of iris leaves.

indeed, what caught my eye. Hence the idea it may also have more elements/groups than the ubiquitous tessar.
Anyway it has been sold.

Petrochemist · Dec 8, 2024

I think the unmarked lens I got yesterday Might be the same one, the aperture ring knurling differs & mine has no nameplate.

However the overall similarity was good enough I did some more investigations into SOL. I think this might refer to Scientific Optics Limited.

I've not been able to confirm if the mount on mine is M44x1 or 1 3/4" 24tpi, it does seem to share the same 12 bladed iris & 4 element design. The front element size does calculate to a focal length of about 100mm/4"

Do the experts here think it's likely to be the same lens?

S.O.L /Rank/ Taylor & Hobson 100mm f3.5

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S.O.L /Rank/ Taylor & Hobson 100mm f3.5

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