Huss
Veteran
That broke it's leg...
who is going to line up for the new Thambar?
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That broke it's leg...
Not sure that the optical character is the same as the Thambar, but Pentax offered a somewhat similar lens for the 6x7 cameras. It's a 120mm f/3.5 with manual diaphragm. B&H listed it for $699 new in 2006, but I got mine used from KEH.
Comment from Pentax: "The Pentax 120mm f/3.5 Soft Focus lens is a special-purpose lens useful when soft-effects are desired, either in portraiture or product photography. The soft-effect is greatest when the aperture is set wide-open and gradually sharpens when stopped-down. The diaphragm action on this lens is manual and focusing must be done at the shooting aperture."
Below photo shot with this lens at f/5.6 for a moderate softening effect.
Comment from Pentax: "The Pentax 120mm f/3.5 Soft Focus lens is a special-purpose lens useful when soft-effects are desired, either in portraiture or product photography. The soft-effect is greatest when the aperture is set wide-open and gradually sharpens when stopped-down. The diaphragm action on this lens is manual and focusing must be done at the shooting aperture."
Below photo shot with this lens at f/5.6 for a moderate softening effect.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I dreamt of this fine lens being resurrected and it finally came true.
But that selling price is a bit off-putting to say the least.
For now I will stick with my OM Zuiko 85mm lens with a Zeiss Softar 2 which perfectly fits the front of the OM lens hood for that lens.
But that selling price is a bit off-putting to say the least.
For now I will stick with my OM Zuiko 85mm lens with a Zeiss Softar 2 which perfectly fits the front of the OM lens hood for that lens.
bayernfan
Well-known
shall we produce a quick list of all soft-focus lenses currently in production? i'd like to see a list of the alternatives.
Baby of Macon
Well-known
Surely the price should be in inverse proportion to its sharpness. Seriously, from the sample pictures, we are not talking character here, just a not very good lens at a very high price.
Archlich
Well-known
Too bad it's not Lomo, who would price it more sanely...
michaelwj
----------------
The price is high. But the price on complete used ones has risen over the past while to be around the $6-7000 mark, so it's not out of line with that. More likely they're both out of like and it should be in the $2-3000 range. But then again, what do I know...
I wonder what the original cost when new relative to other contemporary lenses?
I wonder what the original cost when new relative to other contemporary lenses?
Emile de Leon
Well-known
farlymac
PF McFarland
I thought the Nikon AF-DC 105mm might be a good substitute for this, while still being able to be used in normal mode, but it mainly controls the out of focus areas for bokeh adjustment. Still a lot less expensive. I'll have to see what lenses my Softars will fit on.😀 Thanks for the hint, xayraa33.
PF
PF
james.liam
Well-known
Of all the lenses to resurrect, this one? And for $6500?
I'm at a loss to understand the marketing rationale.
A redux of the 35 Summicron 8-element and 50 Rigid would seem to have a larger audience.
I'm at a loss to understand the marketing rationale.
A redux of the 35 Summicron 8-element and 50 Rigid would seem to have a larger audience.
zuiko85
Veteran
Another retro lens!? Didn't they introduce the 28mm f5.6 Summaron over a year ago. Now to be clear, I'd never buy one but....it seems that lens has never been in stock, How many did they build of them? Three? B&H has had it listed as 'new item-coming soon' for over a year. They probably will never make that lens, it will just quietly disappear from their catalog like it never existed which, for all intents and purposes, it never did.
Soooo, this 90mm f2.2 Thambar retro lens may just be the same thing. A 'new item-coming soon' that never comes at all.
Soooo, this 90mm f2.2 Thambar retro lens may just be the same thing. A 'new item-coming soon' that never comes at all.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
What other lenses have been re-issued? The35/2.8 Summaron might be popular. The 85mm Summarex, maybe?
Steve M.
Veteran
I can think of two better options. There are probably dozens. A little Vaseline on a UV filter (which is actually better pictorially, as you can control how much and where), and just use a SLR and ever-so-slightly tweak the focus before shooting. Oops, I see Timmyjoe beat me to it on the Vaseline trick.
You could always buy a Helios lens for that swirley bokeh thang too. I loved mine, and it was just a wonderful lens in terms of IQ. Think it ran me about 40 bucks.
You could always buy a Helios lens for that swirley bokeh thang too. I loved mine, and it was just a wonderful lens in terms of IQ. Think it ran me about 40 bucks.
Beemermark
Veteran
When I was a wee lad, we obtained the same look by carefully smearing a little Vaseline on the peripheral of the lens. By leaving the center untouched and varying the amount on the edges it worked quite well.
coogee
Well-known
If I had money to burn, this would still be way, way down the list, right at the bottom pretty much. Would a 'blurry camera' be cheaper?
This is slightly more interesting I suppose, from the website copy:
But then even if they did re-release something desirable like 35/50 Summicrons, they'd be so expensive as to make the 'real thing' even more alluring.
The price on these things has moved from eye-watering into offensive territory for me but it's nice that the company endures to fix the old things once in a while.
This is slightly more interesting I suppose, from the website copy:
But then even if they did re-release something desirable like 35/50 Summicrons, they'd be so expensive as to make the 'real thing' even more alluring.
The price on these things has moved from eye-watering into offensive territory for me but it's nice that the company endures to fix the old things once in a while.
valdas
Veteran
Thanks, I still have my Zeiss Softar filters...
f16sunshine
Moderator
Soooo... ... re-release the V4 f2/35mm summicron and the DR 50 ?
Why not?
My guess is they would be back ordered for years with a v4 re-release!
Ok maybe not years but it would sell very well.
Maybe even keep Blackstone in the kitchen.... ha!
😛
Archlich
Well-known
Looks like they are after some obscure, moderate-performing-at-best, but rare lenses. Collectors had drive the prices up, so the reissues are priced accordingly.
Really not something normal photo taking people would be interested in.
ian_watts
Ian Watts
The 28 Summaron-M was always listed as a build to order lens (10% deposit with authorised dealer) though I obtained mine from stock back in February. It's a real lens (virtually the only lens I have used this year, it is great). I don't think I'll be ordering the Thambar though.
Mjd-djm
Established
I seriously doubt they would rerelease any lenses which would detract from sales of their current lineup... so the DR 50mm and 35mm v4 summicron are out. It is likely to be specislist lenses only... a 28mm ‘5.6’ and a soft focus 90mm fit this profile.
