Soligor 28mm f/2.8 (preset)

Manufacturer: Soligor (?)
Model: ?
Focal length: 28mm
Aperture range: f/2.8-16
Filter size: 58mm ?
Weight: 239g (including T2 > M42 adapter)
Length at ∞ (M42 mount): 58mm
Lens hood: ?
Minimal focus distance: 0.45m (18")
Serial tested lens: 1678795

The lens tested is a Soligor 28mm f/2.8 with M42 screw mount and preset aperture. The lens was mounted on a Pentax K100D digital camera with the Pentax mount Adapter K (#30120) and photographs were shot in RAW mode. There has been no digital post-processing other than resizing and saving as 8-bit jpeg. Test shots were made on a cloudy day. All photographs taken hand-held with camera built-in shake reduction enabled.

The lens is an all-metal construction and has a solid feeling. I estimate the filter size to be 58mm (I have no lens of which I'm sure it has a 58mm filter size to compare with). Aperture markings are f/2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16. This lens uses a preset aperture setting (see chrome ring on picture) and can only be set at the aperture markings. Focus is possible from 0.45 m to infinity. Focus goes very smoothly. There also is an extra mark for infrared focussing (orange R). I don't know whether there also has been a specially designed hood for this lens. It should be a screw-in type.

The diaphragm has eight blades. I don't know who manufactured this lens (Soligor?). Also, some googling turns up a variety of Soligor lenses of this particular focal length and max. aperture, from preset aperture over wide-auto to super multi-coated. The lens I have in my possession has a T2 mount and has been fitted with a T2 > M42 adapter.

Soligor 28mm f/2.8