Soligor Lens 135mm 1:4.5

[klop]

Anyone have any idea who made this Argus C3 lens?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

No, I don't.
But here is something for you: http://whitemetal.com/argus/c3_soligor_135_45/index.htm

This might be of interest to you: http://forum.mflenses.com/the-big-soligor-thread-t33736,start,30.html

 

[Paul Howell]

My best guess is Kowa, in the 50 and 60s Kowa made lens for Miranda which was owned by AIC who also owned Soligor, it has the look of a Kowa lens of the times. I assumed that the lens is marked made in Japan? Hintz Kalfitt designed lens for Kowa, the SL 66 and lens were a Kalfit deigns. It could be a German design made in Japan for an American Camera, this all just guess work. Unlike Vivitair there is little remaining documentation concerning Soligor. Many Vivitair lens are coded for the manufactory, I don't know if Soligor coded there lens in the serial numbers.

 

[klop]

No, I don't.
But here is something for you: http://whitemetal.com/argus/c3_soligor_135_45/index.htm

This might be of interest to you: http://forum.mflenses.com/the-big-soligor-thread-t33736,start,30.html

Thank You for the links.....

 

[klop]

My best guess is Kowa, in the 50 and 60s Kowa made lens for Miranda which was owned by AIC who also owned Soligor, it has the look of a Kowa lens of the times. I assumed that the lens is marked made in Japan? Hintz Kalfitt designed lens for Kowa, the SL 66 and lens were a Kalfit deigns. It could be a German design made in Japan for an American Camera, this all just guess work. Unlike Vivitair there is little remaining documentation concerning Soligor. Many Vivitair lens are coded for the manufactory, I don't know if Soligor coded there lens in the serial numbers.

Thank You for your reply......I looked at some pictures of Kowa lenses and I find what you are saying to be quite believable..... The knurling of the aperture ring and the front lens ring are the same and also the notched knurling of the focus ring is the same. It has a 4 digit serial number and it is made in japan, also marked "Pat. Pending"

 

[klop]

Nice piece of glass, does need serviced.....

Need a manual on it also. there is also focus adjustment on the lens itself from 10ft to Inf.

Four digit serial number.

52.05mm Outside Diameter.

49.1mm Inside...
Having a hard time figuring out the filter thread... 49mm is to small and 52mm and series VII are to big....

 

[Paul Howell]

Thank You for your reply......I looked at some pictures of Kowa lenses and I find what you are saying to be quite believable..... The knurling of the aperture ring and the front lens ring are the same and also the notched knurling of the focus ring is the same. It has a 4 digit serial number and it is made in japan, also marked "Pat. Pending"

If it is Kowa design it will a good performer, Kowa is still in business making spotting scopes, binoculars, and medical equipment, I have a couple of Kowa 35mm leaf shutter cameras, and a SL 66, all of their lens are quite good.