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PW, 12-Jul-2016
Soligor Lens Compendium
A . Soligor was a photographic equipment supplier that was based in the US and Germany and is best
known for its third party lenses. The term "soligor" was originally used as a brand name of Allied Impex
Corporation (AIC), a trading company that had been based on the US East Coast since 1938. In 1968,
AIC established a subsidiary company in Germany that subsequently became a major camera, lens and
accessory supplier until it filed for bankruptcy in 2011. The main period of Soligor's lens development and
sales ranges from the end of the 1960s to the beginning of the 1990s. Most of the company's lenses are
based on manual focus, but some autofocus lenses were also marketed, once that technology had taken
hold.
The Soligor lens catalog is comprehensive, ranging from ultra wide-angles to super-telephoto lenses. In
many cases, these third-party lenses represented a value proposition relative to OEM lens offerings by
providing good optical quality at affordable prices. Yet, in a number of cases, Soligor also offered top-level
specs, for example in the form of very fast prime lenses or zooms that featured constant aperture or
unusual focal length ranges. Most lenses came with solid metal barrels, which gives them a reassuring
heft when in use.

Different versions of the Soligor 2.8/28mm [visualopsins]

Similar to some other photographic equipment supplier, such as Vivitar, Soligor concentrated on the
marketing, while it commissioned its lenses from Japan-based producers. The company collaborated
 with a number of different optics manufacturers, and some lenses, such as the popular 28mm f/2.8, are
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available in slightly altered versions from several manufacturers. The identity of the producer
(Kawanon, Kobori, Komine, Sun Optical, Tamron, or Tokina) can be derived from the serial number on
the lens (Thanks to visualopsins, Lloydy, Kevin S. and other legacy lens experts for collecting and
relaying this information).
Soligor lenses were produced for a
number of different thread or Serial number information
bayonet mounts. Fixed mounts are
The serial number on Soligor lenses makes it possible to
available for all major camera brands,
derive the manufacturer of the lens, as well as the year of
including Canon, Contax/Yashica,
production.
Konica AR, Minolta, Miranda, Nikon,
Olympus, and Pentax. Optics that In particular, the
Producer identification
attach to the camera via a T-mount first one to three
adapter (called "T2-mount") do not characters
support automatic diaphragm identify the lens 1 Tokina
2 Sun Optical
coupling, so that the lens does not producer, the
3 Sun Optical
automatically stop down the aperture next digit the 4 Sun Optical
when a shot is taken. Instead, these decade of 6 Komine
lenses have two aperture rings. One production, 7 Sun Optical
is used to "preset" the desired followed by the 8 Tokina

aperture, while the other serves to year of 9 Kobori

A Komura
actually stop the lens down. In use, production. For
H37 Kawanon
one would select the shooting example, a lens H4 Kawanon
aperture (for example, f/8) on the whose serial H5 Komine
aperture ring, and then open the lens number starts H6 Komine
up with the second ring to enable with "168" would H7 Tokina
focusing in a brighter viewfinder. have been K Kowa
KA Kyoei Acall
Once focus is achieved, one would produced by
R Itoh
turn the second ring fully back, and Tokina in 1968; Serial Number
T Beginning Lens Manufacturer
Tamron
thereby stop down to the preset and one with a
aperture for taking the picture. serial number beginning with "H688" would have been
Soligor's later T4-mount adapter manufactured by Komine in 1988.
made it possible to couple the
diaphragm between camera and lens, so that the shooting aperture would automatically be transmitted to
the lens and no presetting of the aperture would be required. Similarly, all Soligor lenses with M42 or fixed
bayonet mounts support automatic diaphragm transmission between camera and lens.
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Over time, Soligor released several distinctive lens series. The most prominent of these is the C/D line
first released in the mid-1970s. While there is controversy whether the acronym stands for "computer
designed" or "compact design", C/D lenses represented a premium line among the company's offer.
However, even though the lens series contained some exceptional optics and very good performers, it did
overall not achieve the consistently above-average quality that Vivitar, for example, attained with its
"Series 1" lenses. Moreover, in the mid-1980s, the German subsidiary of AIC released several G/S-
labeled lenses, which are part of the company's "Golden Series" and were manufactured by Sun Optical.
These include the 2.5/24mm, 2.5/28mm, 2.5/135mm, 2.8/200mm, 4.5/300mm, 5.6/400mm, 3.5/35-
140mm, 3.5/70-160mm, and the 3.5/70-222mm.
Soligor lenses were also sold under alternative brand names in different geographical markets. This
alternative naming includes lenses branded as Aetna, Beroflex, Derek Gardner, Elicar, Flexar, Hanimar,
Infotar, J.C. Penny, Mirage, Pallas, Porst, Prinzflex, Reflex, Super Carenar, and Weltblick. The only
differences to the genuine optics are cosmetic and sometimes only involve the alteration of the inscription
on the lens.

The main attraction of legacy manual focus lenses, like those from Soligor, is nowadays their rock-
bottom pricing on the pre-owned market. Some physically very nice optics can be found for as low as
$20 to $30. However, prices vary substantially and the price indication in the table below just provides a
rough orientation. In any case, if you like to bargain-hunt and experiment in your photography with
unusual gear, Soligor is a good place to start...
 Soligor Lenses
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Focus Lens Close Filter Lens Lens Used Current
Lens
System Construction Focus Type Dimensions Weight Price Offers
Designation
(type) (elmts/groups) (m) (size) (dia x len) (net) (USD) (EUR)
Soligor Wide-Auto 17mm f/3.5 MF 11 / 8 0.22 E72 56 x 80 mm 380 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 MC AF 13 / 11 0.50 E77 82 x 70 mm 300 g 120-230 ebay.de
Soligor C/D Wide-Auto 20mm f/2.8 MC MF 9/7 0.20 E58 61 x 45 mm 230 g 160-330 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 21mm f/3.8 MF 9/8 0.35 E72 75 x 60 mm 260 g 80-170 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 23mm f/3.5 MC MF 8/6 0.30 E62 65 x 57 mm 250 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 24mm f/2.5 MF 9/7 0.30 E55 59 x 53 mm 260 g 70-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D Wide-Auto 24mm f/2.8 MC MF 9/7 0.25 E52 56 x 44 mm 240 g 60-120 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 24mm f/2.8 MF 8/7 0.45 E67 70 x 69 mm 280 g 60-120 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 24-45mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 11 / 10 0.48 E62 66 x 66 mm 400 g 80-170 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 24-70mm f/3.5-4.8 MC Macro MF 14 / 10 1.20 E67 70 x 91 mm 585 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor 25mm f/2.8 MF 8/6 0.25 E52 58 x 57 mm 225 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28mm f/2.0 MF 8/7 0.22 E58 62 x 63 mm 330 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor 28mm f/2.5 MF 8/7 0.30 E52 62 x 41 mm 250 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 28mm f/2.8 (E58) MF 7/6 0.28 E58 61 x 55 mm 210 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor 28mm f/2.8 MC (E52) MF 8/8 0.30 E52 56 x 54 mm 210 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor C/D Wide-Auto 28mm f/2.8 MC MF 6/6 0.21 E49 62 x 42 mm 205 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 28mm f/2.8 (E58) MF 7/6 0.45 E58 61 x 60 mm 265 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 28mm f/2.8 (E62) MF 7/6 0.45 E62 65 x 55 mm 300 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 28mm f/2.8 EC (E55) MF 8/7 0.40 E55 60 x 55 mm 210 g 40-80 ebay.de
Soligor C/D DualFocal 28/35mm f/3.5-3.8 MF 9/9 0.40 E52 58 x 50 mm 260 g 80-170 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-50mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 10 / 10 0.90 E52 60 x 50 mm 280 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-55mm f/3.3-4.5 MC Macro MF 8/8 0.60 E55 61 x 53 mm 310 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-70mm f/2.8-4.2 MC Macro MF 11 / 10 0.50 E72 74 x 86 mm 480 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor AF C/D 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro AF 10 / 9 0.70 E52 72 x 70 mm 420 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor S/M 28-70mm f/3.9-4.8 MC Macro MF 9/9 0.80 E55 65 x 66 mm 330 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-80mm f/3.3-4.5 MC Macro MF 10 / 9 1.00 E62 66 x 85 mm 510 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 15 / 13 1.80 E62 66 x 81 mm 500 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-80mm f/3.8-4.8 MC Macro MF 9/9 0.70 E62 68 x 99 mm 415 g 100-190 ebay.de
Soligor AF 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8 MC AF 15 / 13 1.50 E72 75 x 90 mm 440 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 15 / 14 2.00 E72 75 x 90 mm 460 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-135mm f/3.8-5.2 MC Macro MF 17 / 14 2.00 E67 70 x 95 mm 540 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-200mm f/3.5-5.3 MC Macro MF 18 / 16 2.50 E72 74 x 108 mm 650 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor AF C/D 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 UMCS AF 18 / 16 3.00 E72 74 x 110 mm 850 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 UMCS MF 18 / 16 2.50 E72 74 x 105 mm 750 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 28-200mm f/3.8-5.5 MC Macro MF 17 / 15 1.10 E72 74 x 100 mm 550 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor AF C/D 28-210mm f/3.5-5.6 AF 14 / 12 1.90 E72 75 x 107 mm 560 g 40-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35mm f/2.0 MF 8/7 0.29 E58 63 x 51 mm 270 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor Wide 35mm f/2.8 MF 6/5 0.50 E46 52 x 45 mm 210 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 35mm f/2.8 (E49) MF 6/5 0.60 E49 54 x 50 mm 215 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 35mm f/2.8 (E52) MF 6/5 0.30 E52 57 x 50 mm 220 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Wide-Auto 35mm f/2.8 (E55) MF 6/5 0.50 E55 60 x 53 mm 230 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 35-70mm f/2.5-3.5 MC MF 10 / 9 0.50 E58 64 x 85 mm 450 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor S/M 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 7/7 0.40 E52 60 x 65 mm 350 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 MC Macro MF 7/7 0.50 E52 60 x 68 mm 350 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35-80mm f/3.5-4.8 MC Macro MF 7/7 0.90 E58 68 x 76 mm 345 g 30-60 ebay.de
 Focus Lens Close Filter Lens Lens Used Current
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Lens
Designation
System Construction Focus Type Dimensions Weight Price Offers
(type) (elmts/groups) (m) (size) (dia x len) (net) (USD) (EUR)
Soligor C/D 35-105mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 11 1.50 E72 74 x 110 mm 700 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 11 1.50 E55 61 x 84 mm 550 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 35-140mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 10 1.50 E72 74 x 125 mm 800 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35-140mm f/3.8-5.3 MC Macro MF 13 / 11 2.00 E62 64 x 97 mm 550 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35-200mm f/3.5-4.5 MC Macro MF 15 / 13 1.70 E67 69 x 123 mm 650 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 35-200mm f/3.8-5.3 MC Macro MF 15 / 13 2.50 E67 69 x 126 mm 625 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 37-105mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 10 1.80 E72 74 x 127 mm 700 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 45-150mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 11 1.50 E67 69 x 140 mm 900 g 60-110 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 50mm f/1.8 MF 6/5 0.45 E52 57 x 43 mm 300 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 55mm f/2.8 (Macro 1:2) MF 5/4 0.06 E62 66 x 80 mm 340 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 55-135mm f/3.5 MF 13 / 9 1.50 E62 68 x 127 mm 708 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 60-300mm f/4.0-5.6 MC Macro MF 13 / 9 1.50 E67 70 x 116 mm 578 g 60-110 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 70-150mm f/3.5 MC MF 12 / 9 1.50 E55 60 x 159 mm 505 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-150mm f/3.8 MC MF 12 / 9 1.50 E49 54 x 119 mm 492 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-160mm f/3.5 Macro MF 12 / 9 1.50 E55 66 x 142 mm 625 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-200mm f/4.5-5.6 MC Macro MF 12 / 10 1.00 E49 65 x 80 mm 425 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor 70-220mm f/3.5 MC MF 15 / 12 1.50 E72 77 x 184 mm 1,370 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-210mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 1.50 E67 74 x 165 mm 991 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-210mm f/4.5 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 2.00 E58 66 x 131 mm 552 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor AF 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 MC Macro AF 10 / 7 1.50 E55 69 x 105 mm 420 g 40-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 1.00 E49 74 x 175 mm 450 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 70-222mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 9 1.80 E67 74 x 197 mm 1,200 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 70-235mm f/4.5 MF 8/8 2.50 E67 72 x 265 mm 800 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 75-205mm f/3.5 MF 13 / 9 2.00 E62 65 x 162 mm 1,100 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 75-205mm f/3.8-4.8 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 1.50 E52 66 x 105 mm 510 g 30-50 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 75-250mm f/4.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 10 2.50 E62 67 x 175 mm 650 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 75-260mm f/4.5 MF 13 / 10 1.50 E67 71 x 195 mm 1,160 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 75-300mm f/5.6 MC Macro MF 13 / 9 1.30 E58 65 x 169 mm 740 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 78-210mm f/3.5 MC Macro MF 12 / 8 2.00 E62 75 x 187 mm 912 g 60-120 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 80-200mm f/3.5 MF 13 / 9 0.60 E62 68 x 170 mm 970 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 80-200mm f/4.5 MC Macro MF 13 / 9 2.00 E55 64 x 123 mm 521 g 30-50 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 MC Macro MF 10 / 8 2.00 E55 64 x 128 mm 514 g 30-50 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 80-210mm f/3.8 MF 14 / 9 2.00 E62 70 x 180 mm 960 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor 85mm f/1.5 MF 7/5 0.90 E62 64 x 93 mm 510 g 200-400 ebay.de
Soligor Dual Focus 85mm/135mm f/4 MF 9/6 1.80 E49 55 x 102 mm 380 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 85-205mm f/3.8 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 2.50 E62 68 x 147 mm 850 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor 85-210mm f/3.8 MC MF 12 / 9 1.70 E62 67 x 160 mm 840 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 90mm f/2.5 MC Macro (1:1) MF 6/5 0.35 E62 67 x 84 mm 555 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 90-230mm f/4.5 MF 11 / 7 2.50 E58 62 x 207 mm 530 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 95-210mm f/4.5 MC Macro MF 12 / 9 1.80 E52 64 x 126 mm 516 g 30-70 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 95-310mm f/5.6 MC Macro MF 14 / 9 1.50 E58 95 x 169 mm 635 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 100mm f/2 Auto MF 6/4 1.50 E58 67 x 67 mm 375 g 200-500 ebay.de
Soligor AF 100mm f/3.5 Macro (1:2) AF 5/4 0.43 E49 60 x 70 mm 225 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor 100-200mm f/5.6 MF 7/5 3.00 E55 61 x 190 mm 500 g 30-50 ebay.de
Soligor AF 100-300mm f/5.6-6.7 MC AF 10 / 7 1.50 E55 60 x 173 mm 700 g 70-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 100-500mm f/5.6-7.5 MF 15 / 9 1.80 E72 75 x 267 mm 1,500 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor 120-600mm f/5.6-8 MF 15 / 11 4.00 E82 89 x 290 mm 2,200 g 160-330 ebay.de
 Focus Lens Close Filter Lens Lens Used Current
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Lens
Designation
System Construction Focus Type Dimensions Weight Price Offers
(type) (elmts/groups) (m) (size) (dia x len) (net) (USD) (EUR)
Soligor C/D 125-580mm f/5.6-8 MF 15 / 11 4.00 E82 84 x 340 mm 2,100 g 200-400 ebay.de
Soligor Auto 130-650mm f/5.6-7.5 MF 15 / 9 4.00 E86 90 x 372 mm 2,100 g 160-330 ebay.de
Soligor 135mm f/1.5 MF 6/4 1.20 E98 103 x 152 mm 2,700 g $$$ ebay.de
Soligor C/D 135mm f/2.0 MF 6/5 1.80 E77 81 x 89 mm 760 g 200-400 ebay.de
Soligor 135 mm f/3.5 MF 6/5 1.50 E46 58 x 87 mm 368 g 20-40 ebay.de
Soligor 135 mm f/3.5 Tele-Auto MF 6/5 1.80 E49 60 x 96 mm 385 g 30-50 ebay.de
Soligor 180mm f/3.5 MF 4/4 2.30 E58 60 x 120 mm 495 g 40-90 ebay.de
Soligor 180-400mm f/5.6 MF 11 / 7 4.00 E77 82 x 375 mm 1,800 g 160-330 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 200mm f/2.8 MF 6/4 2.20 E77 79 x 128 mm 760 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Tele-Auto 250mm f/4.5 MF 4/4 4.50 E62 67 x 195 mm 690 g 30-60 ebay.de
Soligor 300mm f/5.5 MF 5/4 6.00 E62 68 x 164 mm 869 g 60-110 ebay.de
Soligor 350mm f/5.6 MF 4/2 5.00 E67 72 x 248 mm 896 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Telephoto 350mm f/5.6 MF 4/2 8.00 E72 75 x 244 mm 932 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 400mm f/5.6 MF 4/4 5.00 E72 78 x 239 mm 1,000 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 400mm f/6.3 MF 4/4 6.50 E67 78 x 310 mm 1,015 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Tele 400mm f/6.3 MF 4/3 7.00 E67 78 x 300 mm 1,015 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor Tele-Auto 400mm f/6.3 MC MF 4/3 7.60 E72 81 x 300 mm 1,010 g 50-100 ebay.de
Soligor 500mm f/8 Mirror MF 4/4 10.00 E77 84 x 120 mm 500 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 500mm f/8 MC Mirror MF 5/4 2.50 E72 78 x 106 mm 356 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 500mm f/8 Mirror MF 5/4 2.50 E77 80 x 84 mm 534 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor 500mm f/8.8 Mirror MF 8/5 2.50 E67 70 x 90 mm 350 g 60-130 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 500-800mm f/8-12 Mirror MF 6/6 4.00 rear 98 x 135 mm 1,036 g 200-400 ebay.de
Soligor 600mm f/8 MF 2/1 13.00 E87 90 x 600 mm 4,500 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor C/D 650mm f/8.5 Mirror MF 7/6 2.00 E88 95 x 116 mm 904 g 130-260 ebay.de
Soligor 800mm f/8 MF 2/1 25.00 90 x 800 mm 6,000 g $$$ ebay.de

Further Reading
For detailed Soligor lens reviews, there are unfortunately very few in-depth assessments available on
the web. In the super-tele category, you can find additional information on the 400mm f/5.6 and the
different versions of the 400mm f/6.3 on this site. These lenses provide a solid entry into long telephoto
photography at bargain prices. Comparable offers are also available from other third party lens suppliers,
such as Tamron or Vivitar. If you are looking for a marked step-up in optical quality in legacy manual
focus lenses and are willing to spend a little more, you might also want to check out the Leica R-lens
catalog, which contains some truly exceptional optics that can be adapted to and used with a variety of
camera mounts.
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