A little stuck: Sigma Zoom Master 1:3.5-4.5 f=35-70mm Multi-Coated

 Cost: $19.9 (market price around $20)

   

I would presume this lens was sold as a first generation auto-focus kit replacement lens. I would not expect to much of this lens, but when I found one in a local thrift store, and I was looking for more Minolta AF lenses to play with, it actually spoke to me.

The lens is very solid, almost heavy for such a small lens. As the exterior is made of (strong) plastic, the weight must come from a lot of glass inside the lens. 

Both manual and auto focus work very well and smooth, resulting in proper edge-to-edge sharp pictures. Sadly enough, the zoom was not smooth at all on this specific copy. It made it a lot harder to use and likely not a keeper, despite the good image quality. A smarter man might try to fix it, as I'm sure that's possible, but I do not want to spent time on a such a cheap lens.

Aside from this problem, the lens has nice rich colors and almost no color aberration.

To bad from the zoom issue, as it would be a really good walk around less otherwise. 

More examples on Flikr.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 35-70mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5-4.5
Minimum Aperture: F25
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: ? elements, ? groups
Blades: 6
Focusing: Auto 
Minimum Focus: 0.5m
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: 314g
Length: 58-84mm
Production: 1988
Serial Number: 1000488
Made in: Japan

More information on Sigma

Samples:

1/125 sec - f8 - 56mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec - f4.5 - 67mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - f8 - 54mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - f4 - 54mm - ISO1250 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - f8 - 40mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec - f8 - 47mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - f8 - 38mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - f8 - 42mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - f8 - 52mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - f8 - 52mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/80 sec - f4.5 - 67mm - ISO160 - Handheld

1/500 sec - f8 - 36mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - f8 - 36mm - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - f8 - 38mm - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources

Allphotolenses.com

This time better? UV Topcor 1:4 f=135mm Tokyo Kogaku

 Cost: $21 (market price unknown)

   

I still remember finding my first Topcor lens in local Thrift Store, starting a whole new collection of lenses. This first lens was a UV Topcor 135mm f4, and the first UV Topcor lens I ever reviewed. I was disappointed in the quality, but so much liked the looks that I decided to find some more of these lenses. And a few weeks ago, by buying a rare silver UV Topcor 28mm f4, I finally have the complete collection of UV topcor lenses complete. One more review after this one, and we can look back on the whole collection.

In the mean time, I did find a second version of the UV Topcor 135mm f4. From the serial number, this one might actually have been released earlier then the one I reviewed before. It also looks slightly different from the other UV Topcor lenses. It still has the brushed metal base that is telling for the series, but it wider at the front of the lens, something not common within the UV Topcor lenses. The filter tread is 58mm, compared to the 49mm of the other lens. But although the wider lens opening, it's still a maximum aperture of f4, as default on all UV Topcor lenses (the UV mount lenses from Tokyo Kogaku were produced from the 1960's for Topcon's "cheap" line of camera's and do not have an aperture setting ring, as this is found on the camera body and always have an aperture of f4).

Although an earlier release, I did like the image quality this time. Fairly sharp across the whole picture, with little aberration and gorgeous rich colors. The photo's have almost a 3D effect and really jump to live. I was really impressed with the close-up shots, and a nice smooth bokeh.

I like this lens... a keeper.  

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 135mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: 5 elements
Blades: 5 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 170mm
Filter Size: 58mm
Weight: 129g
Length: 72-83mm
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 11013635

Made in Japan

More information on: Topcon

Samples:

1/320 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/60 sec - ISO160 - Handheld

1/80 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Light and Nimble: UV Topcor 1:2.8 f=50mm Tokyo Kogaku

   Cost: $32 (market price unknown)

   

Wow, this lens is light and small! Almost like a true pancake lens, you hardly notice it's on the camera. 

It just feels like it's part of the adapter. This however also results in mediocre results.

The sharpness is lacking in significant parts of the image (as it is mainly on the right, it could be a defect specific to this lens). Colors however are warm and rich.

The 5 blades and lack of sharpness does however create a interesting bokeh effect. Kind of a swirly effect in the background, for parts out of focus. Does results sometimes in an actually pleasing foto.

As a reminder, the UV mount lenses from Tokyo Kogaku were produced from the 1960's for Topcon's "cheap" line of camera's and do not have an aperture setting ring, as this is found on the camera body.

So, a light, simple lens for some special looks. Although not a great lens for sure, it does deserve a place in my almost complete UV Topcor collection.

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: 6 elements
Blades: 5 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 0.6m
Filter Size: 49mm
Weight: 119g
Length: 23mm
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 25047

Made in Japan

More information on: Topcon

Samples:

1/1250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/3200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/2000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/3200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:

apertureinfo.com

Elegant old: Hanimex Auto Zoom f4 70-220mm

Cost: $14.99 (market price around $19.99)

  

I really did not want to like this lens. Hanimex is regarded as a lower quality lens distributor, preferring cheaper and lesser quality lenses. The reputation therefore of Hanimex is not to high. But I must say, I actually liked using this lens, even with the huge size and heavy weight for the zoom range. The working is smooth, so easy to focus and zoom. It even has a classic look with the fake leather rings. and narrow metal-color stripes and a nice tripod colar.

From the look of the lens, I strongly suspect this lens to be a rebranded Tamron lens. Maybe a little bit cheaper components such as 8 blades instead of 9 and without the build-in hood of the Tamron 70-220 mm f/ 4 Adapt-A-Matic Lens. It could explain the higher quality of the lens as this Tamron lens was one of the first efforts of Tamron to get into the higher tier of lens manufacturers and is regarded as a decent lens. It seems the lens is also sold as Eyemik-Quantaray 70-220mm f/4.

Inage quality is not bad, but not great either. For a zoom lens of that era, probably not a bad example. It's a little hazy at the edge of the picture, especially when zoomed out, but there is little color aberration, and the image colors are pretty rich.

It's a bit heavy to walk with for a long time, bit it was fun playing with it on a short walk. I think I might keep this one. 

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 70-220mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: M42
Optics: 14 elements in 11 groups
Blades: 8 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 2m
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 1,108g
Length: 190-200mm
Production: 1969
Serial Number: 708494

More information on: Hanimex

Samples:

1/200 sec - ISO800 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO2000 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO1000 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO8000 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/640 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:

allphotolenses.com

apertureinfo.com

forum.mflenses.com