Soligor 17mm f4?

j-dogg · Dec 29, 2015

Does anyone know anything about this lens? I'm going to guess by the serial number (and how it flares when you point it into the sun) it was made in 1972. I cannot get over how sharp it is, almost no color fringing. I have seen it branded as a Rikenon lens in M42 mount as well, I have a Nikon mount version. Everything I look up points to the later f3.5 version. It takes 72mm filters and it typical Japanese heavy metal construction. Very little distortion.

Paul Howell · Dec 29, 2015

Soligor is tough to trace, there is not as much documentation as to who made what lens as there is for Vivitar. In the 60 and 70 Tonkia and Komine were the principles providers, some lens were rebranded, such as the Soligor 300 5.6 was made by Tonika for both Soligor and Vivitar, while other lens were deigned for or by Soligor and made by a number of different folks. Compounding the problem is that Soligor was owned by AIC who also owned Miranda, I have found a few lens that appear to be designed by Miranda then rebranded in other mounts by Soligor. Miranda did make a 17mm F4 in the 60s for the G and H, I have a sales catalog that shows it for the Sensorx version, so it might a Miranda lens but sure who would have made it. I have a large collection of Miranda lens, every one is a decent performer, some are very good to excellent.

Ian Grant · Dec 29, 2015

Soligor in the 70's (in the UK) were one of the better 3rd party lens brands they were pushed out by Vivitar and their Series One lenses and then later Tamron's SP range.

PDH is right there was a Miranda link, the Soligor branded SLRs were made by Miranda. I have some UK magazines from the era but not easily accessible at the moment.

Ian

j-dogg · Dec 29, 2015

I have adapted this lens to d*****l and the image quality is astonishing. It has a minimal amount of blue/red CA in the far corners and you can only see it in black on white scenes. I can't wait to see what it does on slide

Paul Howell · Dec 29, 2015

Soligar made an upscale lens line called CD, computer designed, unfortunately AIC was unable to keep up camera design and was bankrupt in the late 70s, Soligar was a casualty. I have several CD lens in Konica and Nikon mount, as good as Vivitar S1.

lxdude · Dec 29, 2015

I remember the Soligor C/D series. I think it was the only fixed-mount line of independent lenses available in Fuji ST mount. About the time I was going to buy one they were going under, so I bought Tamron instead. I had heard and read that they were a good line.
Interesting that in the midst of the great Japanese camera boom of the time, Miranda and Petri went under, and Topcon got out of the business.

Paul Howell · Dec 29, 2015

I have several Petris, Kowas nd Miranda's, the Miranda EE was interesting camera, spot meter, shutter speed preferred, interchangeable viewfinders, Petri SLRs on the other hand were cheap, the camera bodies poorly made, the lens are good at least the few that I have. Kowa was an odd leaf shutter SLR, but the 50mm 1.9 is as good as any 50mm I have used.

georg16nik · Dec 30, 2015

It's a 11 elements, 10 groups Noritar designed and made by Norita Kogaku.
The Rikenon and Soligor are the same lens, just different name plate.

j-dogg · Dec 31, 2015

APUG in with the win......no wonder it's such a sharp lens. This thing is bonkers how well it renders just everything.

Russ - SVP · Dec 31, 2015

I wonder how it rates compared to the Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 ?

benjiboy · Dec 31, 2015

Kiron Kid said:
I wonder how it rates compared to the Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 ?

I don't know Kid, but I have the Tamron 17mm f3.5 and it's the best rectilinear ultra wide angle lens I ever used, but you need to make sure you buy it with the dedicated rubber hood to avoid flare which were an optional extra at the time because to buy it later on eBay they want megabucks for them and the with the latest model the filters screw into the hood not the lens.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamron-SP...420800?hash=item4645a919c0:g:~IwAAOSwwE5WYlGd

AgX · Dec 31, 2015

Why were lenses sold without appropriate shades anyway?
I just read a german magazine article from the 80s putting up this issue.

Russ - SVP · Jan 1, 2016

benjiboy said:
I don't know Kid, but I have the Tamron 17mm f3.5 and it's the best rectilinear ultra wide angle lens I ever used, but you need to make sure you buy it with the dedicated rubber hood to avoid flare which were an optional extra at the time because to buy it later on eBay they want megabucks for them and the with the latest model the filters screw into the hood not the lens.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamron-SP...420800?hash=item4645a919c0:g:~IwAAOSwwE5WYlGd

My Tamron SP 17mm came with the dedicated hood. Mine is the first edition (built in filters). I guess I should take it out and give it a spin....

benjiboy · Jan 1, 2016

AgX said:
Why were lenses sold without appropriate shades anyway?
I just read a german magazine article from the 80s putting up this issue.

With the second version of the lens which not only didn't have dial in filters like the first one or have a filter thread the lens hood had the filter thread in it and was the only way to attach filters which were 82 mm and an optional extra, when the lens was current in the U.K, and it cost £34 which was a great deal 25-30 years ago.

benjiboy · Jan 1, 2016

AgX said:
Why were lenses sold without appropriate shades anyway?
I just read a german magazine article from the 80s putting up this issue.

To maximise profits, why do you think?

Russ - SVP · Jan 9, 2020

Kiron Kid said:
My Tamron SP 17mm came with the dedicated hood. Mine is the first edition (built in filters). I guess I should take it out and give it a spin....

How do you like your Tamron 17mm?

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 9, 2020

I had one long ago, and it was surprisingly good. I took it to be cleaned once and no less than Professional Camera Repair (after Marty Forscher’s retirement) cracked the rear element.

benjiboy · Jan 9, 2020

Kiron Kid said:
How do you like your Tamron 17mm?

It's one of the best 17mm rectilinear ultra wide angle lenses ever made I prefer it to the Canon FD 17mm lens.

Soligor 17mm f4?

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