pix - what color is the rear element coating of the 55?
I'm not seeing the rear element of the 55/1.4. Hold the glass up and look at it under diffused light at an oblique angle.
I'm just trying to establish if this is the same lens as the Chinon that I am seeing go for $300+. If it is, the rear element will have a blue hue to it's coating.
hmm. well in THAT case, this lens is TOTAL GARBAGE.
Those Royal Blue-purplish Chinons? They have a tendency of exploding into flames, sending radioactive glass flying everywhere. In fact, they use a mix of high pressure radon and propane between the elements (all of which are doped with plutonium). Truly a terrible design.
In fact, you really need a special permit to handle one. You're in luck. Because I just so happen to have a federal Toxic Optical Materials Handlers' License.
You should just give it to me. I'll dispose of it properly so that nobody is tempted to use it. Really, I'd be doing you a service.
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Wait. It has an M/A switch?
I am fairly certain now that this is a rebranded Chinon. It's impossible to say 100% sure.
i know the camera body is, and likely the lens is, but not necessarily. It shouldn't make any difference optically, only value-wise.
Kind of like how a Rokinon 35/1.4 is $100 more than the same lens with Vivitar or Bower printed on it. There are some Minolta lenses that are Tamron copies, but they are rumored to have different coatings, and demand slightly more than the original.
But I doubt that's the case here.