Group: Moderator
Post: 2,039 (562 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jan 9, 2020 19:53:47 GMT
Posted: Jan 9, 2020 19:53:47 GMT
Revisiting this 3rd party lens section has caused me to hunt deeper into some of my boxes and I found another little star performer.
SUN produced a fair number of different lenses back in the day (and today under their new guise as Goyo Optical, their NOKTOR lenses are gaining a lot of m4/3 fans). Most were competent performers but rarely going to set the heavens alight. That being the case, I didn't bother to use their little 24mm lens - why would you if you have yashica's DS-M and ML 24mm glass? BIG mistake; this tiny lens delivers great piccies with exceptional centre definition and real contrast. True, at f2.8 the edges are a bit soft but close it down a stop and that disappears. Bright light coming laterally to the lens does create issues with flare so a hood is advisable.
Sun Actinon MC 24mm f2.8
If and when I get hold of a Super Paragon PMC II 24mm lens, I'll organise a shoot out between the Yashica and 3rd party lenses; could be fun...and informative.
Oh yes, and praise to Sun for their production qualities; I was looking at a Pentax K-version and spotted that the aperture ring moved in the opposite way to the C/Y mount. Tailoring the direction of the ring in accordance with that of the camera mount is a nice touch that's not always found on a budget lens.
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Group: Administrator
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Join date: August 2016
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on Jan 9, 2020 23:56:27 GMT
Last Edit: Jan 9, 2020 23:59:57 GMT by xkaes
Sun lenses go WAY BACK to the days of Spiratone -- who rebadged just about everything into just about everything else. Still, many of these items were winners, just as many were not worth mentioning -- but you never knew back then. Some took the low price tug and won BIG, and others lost -- a little.
Sun and Actinon lenses were available for many cameras -- not just Yashicas.
I have not taken the time to see if there is a comprehensive list of SUN lenses -- as is or rebadged. Now that would be a true challenge for a graduate student in photographic history!!!! Is there such a program?  |
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,039 (562 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jan 10, 2020 9:49:04 GMT
Posted: Jan 10, 2020 9:49:04 GMT
Hi xkaes,
There's a pretty good list on camerapedia that also includes their early Xebec and Sola lenses for 35mm, 4x4 and 16mm cameras. It also references their manufacture of the Tasco Binocam a.k.a. the Orinox Binocular Camera. The list is not complete but covers most of their stuff. |
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