Discussion Forum for various Lenses of different major labels in a shared environment at Photography In Malaysia

1. From : rick oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com)
Url : http://rick_oleson.tripod.com
Date : 07:22 AM Wednesday 13 February, 2008

Hi Royce:

Quantaray is the store brand name of Ritz Camera Stores; it has no relationship to any manufacturer. If one had to generalize, the safest assumption would be that they tend to be inexpensive lenses of average (or perhaps a bit lower) quality, similar to generic store brand lenses that you might find anywhere else. Certainly this does not mean that they are all bad performers; I would expect to find a modest fixed-length formula to give more satisfactory performance than a zoom or a mirror lens, just because they are easier and less costly to make well.

2. From : rick oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com)
Url : http://rick_oleson.tripod.com
Date : 07:16 AM Wednesday 13 February, 2008

Hi Carriger:

I don't know the whole story of Soligor, but I do know that it's Japanese. The earliest appearance of the Soligor name that I know of was on the standard lenses of the early Miranda cameras. Before long, the Miranda cameras came with lenses marked "Miranda", and Soligor was an aftermarket lens brand. I don't know exactly what the corporate relationship between Soligor and Miranda was, maybe we have a lurking historian who can fill in the blanks.

3. From : Royce Massie (royton_1980@hotmail.com)
Url : http://
Date : 10:01 PM Tuesday 12 February, 2008

The recent question on Soligor really reminds me with another brand, Quantaray. I gathered from Canon Digital forum where someone has quoted the brand "Quantaray= low-grade Sigma" and reviewed it as " ...Slow, loud AF. Poor optical performance....but getting poorer at tele-end considerably..". That was a little harsh for those guys who can spend hundreds on the original Canon EF. Well, years ago I used to own a Quantaray 28mm f/2.8 prime lens, not that bad as those guys had described. anyone has any opinion ??

4. From : Carriger (ask@nomailconact.com)
Url : http://
Date : 08:20 PM Tuesday 12 February, 2008

Can someone help to identify the brand "Soligor"? My friend swore to me that was a German Optical factory, but a zoom lens that I saw has a made in Japan pag, so which is which ??

5. From : Kakaman (mail_will_bounce@mir.com.my)
Url : http://www.MIRnet.com.my/contact
Date : 03:01 PM Tuesday 12 February, 2008

During the new year, I finally had found some time to compile those contributing photos under easy navigation of their works. The Canon AF/EF pages are started from :

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/windows/htmls/index28.htm

The first section of the photos used in the AF Nikkor site begin here:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/windows/htmls/index32.htm
Still compiling... ENJOY.

6. From : Robert Glenn Middleton (the_redd_groyne@hotmail.co.uk)
Url : http://
Date : 06:35 AM Tuesday 12 February, 2008

Luigi, Got it sorted, I think! The nFD 400/4.5 was released in late 1981. The instructions we have been alluding to, were a reprint issued early 1980. Hence the 400/4.5 lens referred to is the breechlock SSC version, and I am told that the rear of the lens was baffled, but not like all the other lenses so fitted - my informant could not recall any specifics.

The fact that your lens is the nFD type and it has the modified baffle fitted from new, suggests that the nFD 400/f4.5 CAN be used with the 1.4x extender.

If anybody out there has the 1982 edition of the 1.4x Extender instruction leaflet, this should state (if I am correct in my assumptions) that the nFD 400/f4.5 can used but not the breechlock or as Canon state 'Silver Ring' version of this lens.

7. From : Robert Glenn Middleton (the_redd_groyne@hotmail.co.uk)
Url : http://
Date : 06:29 AM Monday 11 February, 2008

Luigi, Should have realised that, from the pictures and the fact that all rear/internal filters used by Canon are always the last optical group/cell. Glenn.

8. From : Luigi D. Sandon (cp@sandon.it)
Url : http://
Date : 06:15 AM Monday 11 February, 2008

Glenn, in the nFD 400/4.5 the IF unit is in front of the disphram blades and the drop-in filter, which is the last optical element before the mount. The distance from the filter and the mount plate is about 59 mm.
The "focusing unit" it talks about I guess it's the 1200mm focusing unit.
I wonder if there could be other issues.

9. From : Robert Glenn Middleton (the_redd_groyne@hotmail.co.uk)
Url : http://
Date : 06:03 AM Monday 11 February, 2008

Luigi, Instructions are 1980, but one should note that the only nFD lens that needs modification is the 300/f5.6. All the other modifiable lenses are breech lock type. Your lens has a baffle of the modified type - but obviously fitted at time of manufacture - I guess Canon would include the new shaped baffle in routine production - baffles seem to be common for a number of lens types, ie outer diam and method of retention - on the nFD range. However I would be interested to know if the breech-lock lens, of this type, has the rectangular or modified aperture baffle fitted at manufacture. As you know, not all nFD mount lenses were of completely new design. I do not know how similar the old and new versions of the 400/4.5 are.

If you look at the instruction leaflet, the 400/4.5 lens seems to have the qualifying phrase' focus unit' written on the next line. Now both the nFD and the breech-lock versions have the 'vary-focus' mechanism that moves the rear cell of the optics. I wonder if the rear cell will hit the projecting optics of the 1.4x extender? Or does 'focus unit' refer to the old FL focus unit for the 400/600/800 interchangeable front cell telephoto lenses?

If nobody with both items is willing to try the fit, a couple of measurements would settle the matter. If somebody would supply the distance the optics extend from the abutment face of the 1.4x, you could easily check if there was enough clearance between the lens mount abutment face and the rear of the optics, when fully in the rearward position.

10. From : Catherine (catherine@highbury120.freeserve.co.uk)
Url : http://
Date : 12:49 AM Monday 11 February, 2008

Dear Nikon Enthusiats I am in the UK and have several Nikon items to sell, but need help with the valuation. I can provide description and pics if you could help me? Best regards Catherine

Note: Dear Kath, you can send the pictures to rick_oleson@yahoo.com to ask Rick to take a look at them

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