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UltravioletPhotography

Soligor 35mm f/3.5 (KA)


ulf

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Finalized: Work in progress.

Last Update:

Note: Additional information or links about this lens are welcomed and will be incorporated into the first post as time permits.

 


Soligor 35mm f/3.5 (KA)

 

Manufacturer: Kyoei Acall

Manufacturer's lens designation: Soligor f = 35mm 1:3,5 No. KA<Serial number>

Currently manufactured: No

Lens type: Manual focus, Prime, Wide Angle

Design: 5 elements in 5 groups

Focal length: 35mm

Aperture range: f/3.5 – f/22, Preset Manual, 8 blades

Optimal magnification *: ?

Sensor format/coverage: up to 24 mm x 36 mm

Mount: M42 x 1 thread**, others. The mount is internally mounted on a T2 mount structure that can be exchanged between lenses

Helicoid: Yes

Flange Focus distance: M42/45.46 mm,

Front filter: 46 mm x 0.75 mm

Introduction year: between 1969 or earlier

This lens produced: 1971

S/N of test object: KA 70028

** Mount of test object

 

Comment about types of Soligor 35/3.5 (KA): Over the years several different models of this lens were produced by different manufacturers.

They have different shapes and optical performance, possibly including different UV-reach. for more info see the first link below.

More info, on the web: https://www.apotelyt...soligor-catalog http://www.savazzi.n.../35soligor.html

 

Image of test object:

post-150-0-90069500-1619698787.jpg post-150-0-86587100-1619698795.jpg post-150-0-15240600-1619698804.jpg

The shape of the rear lens mount shape this lens have, has often proved to be a good hint of a possibly good UV-performance for similar lenses branded differently like Galaxy and Prinz Galaxy

Transmittance Summary

Definitions of the parameters below

  • Range: This Soligor 1:3,5 f=35mm (KA) transmits from 1-70% in an increasing slope from 310nm to 400nm.
  • TVISmax (%) = 87%
  • T400nm (%) = 70%
  • T365nm (%) = 62%
    This high percentage is an indicator for relatively short exposure time under typical UV-pass filtration peaking around 360 nm or when using 365 nm UV-LED illumination.
  • λUV HMvis(nm) = 344nm
  • λUV HM400(nm) = 335nm
  • λUV Zero(nm) = 310nm
  • These three values indicate that the lens is working for upper UV-B photography with some filters and the few for this, suitable cameras.

Spectral Transmission Graphs

UV-NIR, Soligor 1:3,5 f=35mm

post-150-0-81335500-1619698811.png

The transmission measurement accuracy into the end of NIR range is less good due to limitations in the light source.

 

UV, Soligor 1:3,5 f=35mm

post-150-0-05044300-1619698819.png

UV-Log, Soligor 1:3,5 f=35mm

post-150-0-77674900-1619698827.png

Numerical Spectra Data available: Pending

 

General comments about the UV-reach:

tba


Filters and how to use them on this lens:

The front filter thread is 46mm standard filter thread.

 

It is also possible to use rear mounted filters, either in lens mount adapters for mirrorless cameras like Sony A-series etc, or placed directly in the camera.

 

An alternative, if space in the camera allows, is to putty-mount a filter directly against the lenses rear element mount ring. The rear lens element is recessed and thus safe and the ring provides a good reference plane for orienting the filter normal to the optic axis.

 


Handling and focussing:

TBD

 

Flare and sun-stars:

TBD

 

Sharpness:

TBD

 

Lens distortion:

TBD

 

Chromatic Aberration in UV:

TBD

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Ulf, from where is the information that this Soligor was made by Kyoei Acall?
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  • 11 months later...

Thanks @ulf
I found a Soligor (KA) in Sweden
I have no measuring instruments or certified filters
today i tried all my 35mm with a TNS575 + ZWB1 stack (2 + 2mm thrick) (theoretically similar to Baader-U)


the Soligor as from your graphs is almost an aperture more sensitive to UV than the other "old" ones

and three apertures faster than the Pentax SMC 35 f: 2
(sorry for the wrong focus)

 

 

_DSC7960>71-.jpg

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Coincidentally, I found a Soligor 35/3.5 No:KA71303 in a case I pulled from a closet this morning. Based upon Antonio's images, I am tempted to try it out, if it ever stops raining here.

My lens is Exakta mount, as are two Super-Lentars, a 35/3.5 and a 28/2.8 that I found the other day. The 28/2.8 was surprisingly good in UV. Now, if I can find the lenses I have been looking for...

 

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@ulf   @rfcurry   friends ... does your Soligor also have a dangerously protruding rear lens ???

(or is it just mine that has lucifer's serial number 666)

 

 

T_1022+6 Soligor 35 -.jpg

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Your lens is missing the rear T2-mount that can be seen in my pictures at the top of the thread.

 

The extending rear lens is a potential problem with these lenses as the centre might be scratched.

With the T2-mount the rear element do not extend when set a bit away from infinity.

 

Beside the deeper UV-reach I wonder how your Soligor KA performs compared with the Super Takumar.

Both sharpness and chromatic aberration would be interesting to see at F/5.6 or F/8

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thanks @ulf , I've always heard of T2 attachment but never had one,

so it seemed strange to me that on my extendable helicoid it only screws for three turns, (it's ugly but it works) I'll have to look for one.
There remains the problem of the protruding lens ... very dangerous.


From the first tests it seems to me less sharp incisive than A.S.Takumar.

at the same aperture it has less depth of field, and a different blur ... like Helios ... trioplan.

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Antonio,

My copy lacks the sign of the beast, so I loosened three grub screws and  removed the Exakta mount. Alas, I didn't measure the distance from the mount to the focus ring. Now I need to spend the afternoon shimming the gap between the mount and focus ring until I can get the focus to turn all the way. Anyway, sans Exakta mount, my lens is identical to yours, Antonio.

Ulf, could you measure the gap between mount and focus ring? Thanks.
Ulf, I was able to shim it and get the mount set correctly. This was a major coup for me because my ET (essential tremors) on top of my peripheral neuropathy, i.e., no sense of touch, I must constantly watch in order to know what is in my hands, make a simple adjustment of grub screws, a significant comic endeavor. Tying a trout fly onto my tippet, midstream, is a real hoot.😀 

 

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23 hours ago, photoni said:

thanks @ulf , I've always heard of T2 attachment but never had one,

so it seemed strange to me that on my extendable helicoid it only screws for three turns, (it's ugly but it works) I'll have to look for one.

 

Photoni,

What is needed is a T2 adapter to fit your Sony, something like this, which are not expensive.

This should place the lens at the correct register distance (flange focal depth) to focus INF.

 

The M42 shown above can be mounted on an M42/SonyA7 adapter.  However you are then stacking 2 adapters which is not optimal in my opinion.

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2 hours ago, JCDowdy said:

 

The M42 shown above can be mounted on an M42/SonyA7 adapter.  However you are then stacking 2 adapters which is not optimal in my opinion.

for my lenses I use this helicoid M42 - M42 (NEX> M42) it is very practical, it shortens more than infinity,

and it stretches a lot (decreases the minimum focus distance)
with the Soligor is not sure , it only goes in for 2 or 3 turns, they probably have the same diameter, but the wire is different (maybe 0.75> 1mm)

I have to look for a T2> M42

 

IMG_9856.jpg

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Ah, I see what you are doing, using a helicoid to gain macro function. 

I have one set up this way.

 

Yes, The T2 thread pitch is 0.75mm and the M42 thread pitch is 1.0mm. 

That is why the T2 (M42x0.75mm) only partially screws into the M42x1.0mm helicoid.

If you add the T2 to M42 mount adapter from the Prinzgalaxy it may still allow INF if your helocoid is short enough.

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On 5/4/2022 at 1:03 PM, ulf said:

Beside the deeper UV-reach I wonder how your Soligor KA performs compared with the Super Takumar.

Both sharpness and chromatic aberration would be interesting to see at F/5.6 or F/8

small UV test and sharpness of 35 f:3,5 all at f:11
the Soligor is the most "bright" about 0.5 / 1  aperture but it is the least sharp
Prinzgalaxy is good
Asahi super takumar is the sharpest

-DSC8050++-.jpg

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@JCDowdy oops

Studio flash 1000w Elinchrom clear tube, (no yellow) direct light, no diffuser

Sony A7 with TSN575 + ZWB1 (2+2mm)

all lenses f:11 - 200iso - 1/125"

150W modeling light, off

for the focus I used the UV light "nemo"

 

August 2022

now i have a T2>M42 !!!

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