In the world of vintage lenses, there’s always something fascinating about pushing boundaries — especially when it comes to wide-aperture telephotos. Recently, I had a chance to briefly test two rare beasts from Soligor’s arsenal: the Soligor 135mm f/1.5 and the Soligor 135mm f/1.8. Both are fast, manual-focus, preset lenses designed for 35mm full-frame film cameras, and both are far from ordinary.

The test was carried out using a Nikon D800 digital camera via a Soligor-to-Nikon F adapter. Alongside these two vintage lenses, I used the modern Nikon Micro 105mm f/2.8 as a reference for sharpness and chromatic aberration in a controlled studio environment.

Soligor 135mm f/1.5 – The Beast

Let’s start with the monster. The 135mm f/1.5 is one of the fastest telephoto lenses ever made for 35mm systems. But speed comes at a price — this lens weighs a staggering 2700g and is more of a tripod-bound artillery piece than a walkaround lens. Handholding it is nearly impossible without some sort of stabilization.

Key Specs:
Focal Length: 135mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.5
Lens Construction: 6 elements in 4 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.2m
Aperture: Preset, 12 blades
Filter Thread: 98mm
Weight: 2700g
Mount: Interchangeable T-mount

Performance:
Despite its impressive specifications on paper, the f/1.5 shows notable optical compromises. There’s a clear pincushion distortion (Verzeichnung), and the chromatic aberration is pronounced — with visible purple and green fringes in high-contrast scenes. Sharpness wide open is quite soft, but that very softness gives it a dreamy, vintage charm, especially for portraiture or moody landscape shots. I’ve included a sample landscape image where this glow gives the scene a very distinctive look.

Soligor 135mm f/1.8 – The Tamer Sibling

In contrast, the 135mm f/1.8 feels almost nimble. Though still bulky by modern standards, it’s far more manageable and can be used handheld without too much trouble. It’s optically different too — based on a Sonnar-type formula (5 elements in 3 groups) and has a slightly longer minimum focusing distance of 2m.

Key Specs:
Focal Length: 135mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Lens Construction: 5 elements in 3 groups (Sonnar-type)
Minimum Focus Distance: 2m
Aperture: Preset, 16 blades
Filter Thread: 82mm
Weight: Unknown, but significantly lighter than the f/1.5
Mount: Interchangeable T-mount (or Sigma YS in some versions)

Performance:
This lens is much more usable in real-world conditions, with better handling and less distortion. Chromatic aberration is still present, though slightly less aggressive than in the f/1.5 version. Sharpness is acceptable at wider apertures and improves when stopped down. The extra aperture blades (16!) help create pleasing bokeh, especially when shooting highlights or backgrounds with depth.

Studio Test & Conclusion

In a side-by-side studio sharpness test against the Nikon Micro 105mm f/2.8, both Soligors showed their age. The Nikon clearly outperformed them in sharpness, contrast, and chromatic control — no surprises there. But this wasn’t a fight about perfection.

The Soligor 135mm f/1.5, for all its flaws, is a fascinating piece of engineering history — more collector’s item than everyday tool. It offers a unique rendering with a look that no modern lens dares to replicate. The f/1.8, on the other hand, strikes a more practical balance between vintage charm and usability, and is the better choice for someone actually wanting to shoot with it.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re a vintage lens collector or someone chasing unusual bokeh and rendering, these Soligor lenses offer a glimpse into a time when lens design was bold and uncompromising. They’re far from perfect — especially optically — but in the right context, their flaws become part of their signature.

More sample images and comparison crops are available in the gallery below.