Hi all, while researching some weird lesser known lenses I stumbled upon the Kinoshita Optical Kistar 40/2.4 and saw that there was an archived thread about it here in the Sony forum. I'm not sure what the etiquette is with bumping those older threads but figured I would post some pics I took this last weekend with the M-mount version on my M11-P for anyone in the future looking for more samples from this lens.
I'm a fan of character lenses and this lens has a healthy dose of character! Also I'm relatively new to photography and definitely don't take landscape photos usually so results may vary in more capable hands. All pics were wide-open at 2.4 (unless I accidentally bumped the aperture ring at some point and didn't notice it) with no hood.
Tracking this down for a decent price seems to be getting increasingly difficult as I don't think they made too many, with a few showing up au MAP Camera. Oddly enough MAP Camera has a partnership and easy checkout process through Buyee direct on MAP's website but would not allow the new version of this lens to be sold to overseas customers, only used copies. But adding the new version directly through Buyee's website it allowed me to purchase the a new condition lens. I had even reached out to MAP Camera directly about adding it to their eBay store and they stated they only sell used items there. Just some info for people looking for info/workarounds to the MAP buying process.
Nice shots! It's a lovely lens They are not out of production actually, Kinoshita Optical makes their lenses in small batches, maybe ~30 copies at launch and later on they make small additional batches based on orders. New ones of 40/2.4 are still available from them by direct order but they only ship in Japan and Map Camera has been the only way to get these delivered internationally (with limitations).
These Kistar line old school lenses are like hobby projects for them as their main business is in industrial lenses and some related equipment. Their lens build quality is really high. They also make some lenses for other companies and supply some related parts.
I have all 5 of their Kistar line lenses. I had 40/2.4 and 28/3.2 in both E-mount and M, but I'm now keeping the E-mount versions only since I just use them on my Sony cameras anyway.
The copy with serial number #97 in M-mount that's currently one of the used copies at Map Camera is the one I had in M-mount Some of my samples with it (on Sony A7CII):
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Nice shots! It's a lovely lens They are not out of production actually, Kinoshita Optical makes their lenses in small batches, maybe ~30 copies at launch and later on they make small additional batches based on orders. New ones of 40/2.4 are still available from them by direct order but they only ship in Japan and Map Camera has been the only way to get these delivered internationally (with limitations).
These Kistar line old school lenses are like hobby projects for them as their main business is in industrial lenses and some related equipment. Their lens build quality is really high. They also make some lenses for other companies and supply some related parts.
I have all 5 of their Kistar line lenses. I had 40/2.4 and 28/3.2 in both E-mount and M, but I'm now keeping the E-mount versions only since I just use them on my Sony cameras anyway.
Thank you for the info and the samples! I appreciate what they are doing over at Kinoshita with the Kistar line. I now need to track down a 28/3.2 to pair with this. I'm hoping they make some of their other lenses in M-mount in the future. I also saw Kinoshita are offering a 50/1.5 from another company through them as well that is similar to the MS Optics Vario Prasma and now I'm going through more rabbit holes of boutique lenses that will be difficult to acquire
endergemini wrote:
Thank you for the info and the samples! I appreciate what they are doing over at Kinoshita with the Kistar line. I now need to track down a 28/3.2 to pair with this. I'm hoping they make some of their other lenses in M-mount in the future. I also saw Kinoshita are offering a 50/1.5 from another company through them as well that is similar to the MS Optics Vario Prasma and now I'm going through more rabbit holes of boutique lenses that will be difficult to acquire
Says they are making 25 and there are 24 still available after a few months of it being posted. Maybe the price is scaring people away haha...Show more →
Thanks!
This Kino Plasmat recreation lens is manufactured by Kinoshita Optical for another company based in Japan (with China background) who make remake versions of very old rare / famous lenses in very small batches (maybe around 25 of one lens each time) and utilize Kinoshita Optical as their manufacturing partner.
The current batch of 25 (24 remaining) seems to be a 2nd production run of this lens after original 25 copies were sold out and no more production was planned. A third party really wanted one and urged them to make more and finally made some agreement with 無一居 about arranging a 2nd production run that this 3rd party could finance and sell directly (it seems the lens price remains same as original batch).
I was also interested in this lens but the high price is keeping me from buying one now... Maybe might try one of their other lenses at some point in the future (at a more tolerable price point).
I would have had no problem if you had resurrected the old 40/2.4 thread as it would maintain continuity with what was previously posted in a single thread.
Thanks for the Buyee tips. It has been a while that Map does not allow purchase of most new equipment through Buyee on their site. As you noted, used is no problem. I didn't know that there is a standalone Buyee site and it's good to know this might be a feasible workaround for new equipment purchases.
They are not out of production actually, Kinoshita Optical makes their lenses in small batches, maybe ~30 copies at launch and later on they make small additional batches based on orders. New ones of 40/2.4 are still available from them by direct order but they only ship in Japan and Map Camera has been the only way to get these delivered internationally (with limitations). 