Soligor 105mm f/4

Soligor 105mm f/4

The Soligor 105mm f/4 is a short telephoto lens built in Leica thread mount (LTM, also called M39 or screw mount) and carries the Soligor trade name, which the American Allied Impex Corporation began applying to Japanese-made optics in 1956 [1]. As a screw-mount portrait-length lens of the mid 1950s to mid 1960s, it sits among the third party offerings sold under that brand rather than among the better documented camera-maker lenses of the same fitting, and surviving documentation specific to this model is sparse.

Optically it is a simple design of four elements in four groups, a configuration consistent with a modest-aperture telephoto of the period. The lens is small and light for its focal length, with a short barrel and a slim diameter, and the iris uses ten blades. It is not rangefinder coupled, so focusing is set by scale or estimation rather than through the camera's rangefinder, and the closest focus is 1.5 m. The screw mount allows it to be fitted to Leica thread bodies and, by adapter, to later mirrorless cameras, though the lack of coupling limits its usefulness on a rangefinder for critical focus.

Detailed, source-confirmed information on coating types, barrel finishes, engraving styles, or production variants of this particular lens is not readily available, so version differences cannot be described with confidence. Soligor-branded products of this era were manufactured by various Japanese suppliers, and the brand later became best known for its T4 interchangeable-mount system rather than for early rangefinder optics [1].

Optical qualities

Rendering Reliable published reviews and rendering reports for this specific lens are not available, so its character cannot be described with confidence. What can be said is grounded only in its design: a four-element telephoto of modest f/4 aperture from the mid-twentieth century, which would be expected to be compact and easy to carry. No verified claims about sharpness, contrast, bokeh, flare, distortion, or digital performance can be made for this model on the basis of documented sources.

History

Development and Launch Soligor originated as the trademark of the Allied Impex Corporation of the United States, used from 1956 for lenses and, later, cameras imported from Japan [1]. The brand's optics were produced by Japanese makers and sold through Allied Impex's distribution network, which places a screw-mount telephoto such as the 105mm f/4 within the company's early imported-lens range rather than within the lineup of a single camera manufacturer [1].

Collector Notes Because firm reference material on this lens is limited, buyers should rely on direct inspection. Worthwhile checks include confirming the LTM thread engages cleanly, verifying smooth focus and a clean ten-blade iris free of oil, and inspecting the glass for haze, cleaning marks, and separation. As with many lesser-documented branded imports of the era, matching a lens to a specific factory variant can be difficult, so condition and originality of the barrel, engravings, and any caps or hoods are best judged in person.

Sources

• [1] Wikipedia. Soligor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soligor