peterm1
Veteran
I recently bought a nicely made 135mm f3.5 lens in Australia and that lens was badged on the front element ring as a "Force" lens. I recognized from the image on the sale site, that it looked very like a Super Acall lens of the vintage and type depicted below (taken from the i'net). When I received it I could see that mine was in fact identical - other than the name. Right down to screw placement, distance scales (in ft and mtrs) including the word "inf" to signify infinity, something which itself is unusual instead of the more common infinity sign. From another photo somewhere else I saw the front ring of a Super Acall identical to the one below and saw that the serial number was only 50 off mine. It looks as if everything is identical other than the change of name - even down to the sequence of serial numbers used Which I guess makes sense if you wish to keep costs down - why bother changing serial number sequence. The lens itself is like the proverbial brick outhouse - all chromed brass and glass, very reminiscent of a baby version of Canon's LTM 135mm f3.5 in chrome but with black focus ring and aperture ring of course as shown. (It is a little smaller overall than Canon's, but build quality looks more or less identical).
I realized that these Super Acall lenses were sold under various names - for example I am pretty sure I recall seeing a Komura lens at some time and I think I also recall it as being awfully similar. But I have never heard of "Force" before - probably a retailer I imagine - someone who wanted some lenses to sell from his store under his own made up brand as part of a kit.
Has anyone any experience with the Super Acall version or any other variants and rebadged versions? I would be interest to know your thoughts. I would also be interested in knowing more about history of Super Acall if anyone can help in that department. (I know they had a smallish range of both LTM and SLR lenses all of which look pretty substantial and well made though I am not familiar with optical quality.
EDIT: Though it has to be said though that I have also seen other names used to sell this lens (One post at manual focus forum lists the following) - " Soligor, Berolina, Amanda De Luxe, Petri, Kuribayashi, Accura, Telesar, Komura, Cunor " ButI also just stumbled on the following link which explains why some Super Acall lenses may be badged as Komura (see link below).
The relevant text reads: "The Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 is a portrait prime lens for 35 mm rangefinder cameras with the M39 Leica screw-mount (LSM).
Produced by Komura Lens Manufacturing; distributed by Kioei Optical Co."
http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2706.html
I realized that these Super Acall lenses were sold under various names - for example I am pretty sure I recall seeing a Komura lens at some time and I think I also recall it as being awfully similar. But I have never heard of "Force" before - probably a retailer I imagine - someone who wanted some lenses to sell from his store under his own made up brand as part of a kit.
Has anyone any experience with the Super Acall version or any other variants and rebadged versions? I would be interest to know your thoughts. I would also be interested in knowing more about history of Super Acall if anyone can help in that department. (I know they had a smallish range of both LTM and SLR lenses all of which look pretty substantial and well made though I am not familiar with optical quality.
EDIT: Though it has to be said though that I have also seen other names used to sell this lens (One post at manual focus forum lists the following) - " Soligor, Berolina, Amanda De Luxe, Petri, Kuribayashi, Accura, Telesar, Komura, Cunor " ButI also just stumbled on the following link which explains why some Super Acall lenses may be badged as Komura (see link below).
The relevant text reads: "The Super-Acall 135mm f/3.5 is a portrait prime lens for 35 mm rangefinder cameras with the M39 Leica screw-mount (LSM).
Produced by Komura Lens Manufacturing; distributed by Kioei Optical Co."
http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2706.html
