While I have listed several thousand third party lenses in the above resource pages, I clearly haven't listed every possible lens! For one thing, many lenses fall between the dates covered by the earlier references and the magazine listings of the 1990s.

For another reason, lenses are often imported under a variety of names by importers and camera stores. We have a page of manufacturer and importer names to help you scope out which name is a manufacturer, an importer, or a local camera store trademark or label.

Sometimes you can figure this out by looking at dates, type of lens, cost, weight, filter size, and other elements. If another lens looks virtually identical in its specifications, at about the same price, there is a good chance your lens is the same as the one listed.

In a few cases, I have seen magazine reviews list alternate names the same lens is imported under into the USA market. As one example, Popular Photography's review of a 17-28mm wide angle zoom by Samyang noted it may be purchased under the Cosina, Vivitar, and Phoenix names as well as some import labels for a particular camera store or chain store importer. Phew!

My sources are mainly USA oriented, so many lens variations from overseas would not be listed, especially if they were a European or Asian market model or import label.

We also have a focus on 35mm SLR lenses here, so rangefinder and medium format and other lenses are not listed.

Still, these pages remain the prime source of information on older third party lenses. You can get current information directly from the various on-line sites of the major manufacturers.

I also have a propensity to archive postings by users who actually are using third party lenses. Many of these comments (but not all) are generally positive and helpful to potential buyers and users. But my obvious point is also that the reputation that third party lenses have gotten - that they are somehow inferior optically or mechanically - is generally not true of the vast majority of these lenses. Moreover, there are some unique cult classic lenses and many third party lenses which are outstanding values both optically and mechanically.

Future of Third Party Lens Makers?

But another way of looking at the latest set of manufacturers offerings is that the OEMs like Nikon and Canon have become "third party" lens makers themselves. By that, I mean that the OEMs are now making a lower cost consumer lens line, especially in zoom lenses, which are aimed at competing with third party lenses in cost and quality. As an aside, some of these lenses are actually made for the OEMs by the same third party lens makers (e.g., Cosina for Nikon).

As Japan's optical industry gets "hollowed out" and rebuilt overseas, I expect the role of third party lens makers in support of OEMs to increase. Indeed, many exotic lenses such as the 14mm Sigma optic demonstrates the ability of the third party makers to economically produce high end optics as well as low-cost high volume consumer lenses.

At the same time, I see the industry holding its breath until the new digital cameras get low enough in price and high enough in volume to ensure consumer acceptance of the new formats. Unfortunately, I predict that the switch of R&D funds to digital camera development will mean that 35mm SLR optics will get less funding and R&D will be focused on the digital end.

Again, that suggests that today's 35mm SLR cameras may soon be replaced by a digital format which necessarily uses lenses more suited (for diffraction limits..) for the smaller chip sizes of digital imagers. Moreover, the limited resolution of such digital chips (compared to film) will negate the benefits of sublime OEM lenses of high resolution and contrast. In other words, I would bet that low cost and wide zoom range lenses for the smaller digital format will predominate. Who will pay high prices for lens resolution that goes unused on even a megapixel chip?

In short, the future's digital cameras are most likely high-end digital imaging and storage devices and low end optics in their requirements. Our current 35mm SLR lenses may well end up as the golden oldies of mass-produced consumer optics. Very possibly, they will become cherished collectibles of a former age when the quality of optics really mattered...

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999
From: Jarl Rise [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: My Tamron is missing from your index!

Hi!

I have just discovered your pages, and instantly tried to find my trusted old Tamron zoom, but to no avail.

It is a 70-220mm f/4.0 , two-touch zoom. Total length 20 cm (ex mount), min aperture 22, 9-bladed diaphragm. Weight is unknown as I do not have an accurate scare at the moment.

It is probably an adaptamatic, as it has automatic diaphragm, operated by a protruding pin with associated linkage to move the blades. It also has an auto/manual switch on the side, close to the mount. engraved on the mount: "For Pentax II".

I have no idea as to the age of the lens (but would really like to know), I bought it used in 1980 for what at the time equaled $90.

I have used it on my old Petri TTL, and still have pictures on the wall taken with it, but as I no longer have a operational M42 body, it's just sitting in the middle of my Pentax lens collection, looking big and impressive in its near mint condition.

I don't know if it's really collectible, but as I have never found any reference to it, it can't be to many around...

Tamron Adaptamatic 70-220mm f/4
Photo Courtesy of Jarl Rise

I'm attaching a picture of it, just in case you would like to see it (hi-res. on demand.. :-)

Regards,
Jarl Rise, Norway

[Ed. note: This does sound like an early adaptamatic Tamron Lens. See our pages on Camera Mount Adapters for more information on the history of the Tamron lens series and adaptamatic mounts. The 9-bladed aperture blades will appeal to folks who like good bokeh. Unfortunately, most modern and pricey lenses have fewer than 9 blades, so they have poorer bokeh than these earlier lenses. The tripod mount on an 70-220mm zoom is also a neat feature often left off of current lenses and zooms in this range. Taken together, these kinds of features suggest an attention to detail and quality that would say good things about the lens to me as a potential buyer! ;-)

Date: Sun, 21 May 2000
From: Andrew Fildes [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Add to 3rd Party lens list

An addition to your list of old 3rd party lenses -

I found a Panagor 28mm f2.5 yesterday here in Australia - looks nice too and faster than the average 28mm bear.

Andrew fildes

Date: Sat, 27 May 2000
From: Ian Wallis [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Additions to 3rd party lens list

Mr Monaghan,

A couple of additions to your excellent 3rd Party Lens List.

Auto Tamron 21mm f4.5
Auto Tamron 135mm f/3.5

Sadly I don't have their year of manufacture nor their price when new. The 21mm in particular seems to be a rare lens as I've only ever seen one of these for sale in recent years.

Yours Sincerely,
Ian Wallis
Perth, Australia

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