SUPER RARE LENS! Tamron Adapt-A-Matic Zoom 70-220mm f/4 (Model PZ-30Au, 1969-1973)

Tamron Adapt-A-Matic Zoom 70-220mm f/4
(Model PZ-30Au, 1969-1973)

2016.09.29 - Published

2022.08.05 - Re-written, re-uploaded photos

Tamron Adapt-A-Matic

Zoom 70-220mm f/4

Model - PZ-30Au

Years Produced - 1969 - 1973

Focal Range - 70-220mm

Focusing - Parfocal

Zoom Type - Two rings

Minimum Focusing - 2 meters

Macro Mode - n/a

Filter Thread Ø - 67mm

Aperture Run - f/4 - f/22

Maximum Aperture - f/4 (70mm, 220mm)

# Diaphragm Blades - 9

Optical Formula - 14 elements, 11 groups

Coating - Single coated elements

Built in tripod collar

With Manual/Auto switch

Made in Japan

Product Page

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/old-lens/lm70_220.htm

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/PZ-30Au.html

Adaptall discontinued in 2006

https://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2006/news0720.html

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EXgHgiHNBS48CW167

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Impressions

History

Tamron has been making interchangeable mount systems since 1957, starting with the T-mount, which is still in use today.

Tamron later produced the Adapt-A-Matic lens series from 1969 to 1973. This is a system of lenses where the mounts could be replaced by adapters, so that you could easily swap the mounnts using Tamron's proprietary adapter. That way, you can just use one lens to mount to different camera mounts/systems, instead of buying multiple copies of the same lens.

Tamron discontinued the Adapt-A-Matic series in 1973 because camera makers were adding new features on their mounts at the time (eg. from the old Nikon F non-AI to their new Nikon AI coupling). That same year 1973, it was replaced by the Adaptall system, which was so popular that it was only discontinued as recent as 2006.

The Adapt-A-Matic series represented the last generation of optical designs that were manually designed before computers were used. These lenses were produced during an era when lens elements were only single-coated, not multi-coated.

Build Quality

The lens is built to the highest durability possible. The whole body is metal. Given how heavy this lens can be, it's a good thing it already has a built-in tripod mount collar. It is heavy and not recommended for handheld shooting because the separate rings for focusing and zooming make it hard to do manual shooting.

The buttery smoothness of the focusing and zooming rings is a wonderful experience in itself. Sometimes, I like turning those rings just because. Another feature I like is that this is a 'parfocal' zoom. It means that the focus remains constant even after zooming, you don't need to re-adjust the focus. Most zooms are 'varifocal', the opposite.

The front element does not rotate when focusing or zooming.

Adaptability

The system had adapters for the popular mounts of the time. For DSLR users today, the mount you need to find is in Nikon F mount; mirrorless cameras can easily adapt any mount without problem. This lens was rare, but finding adapters in Nikon F mount is even harder.

I was fortunate to find this lens with a Nikon F mount adapter attached, because most copies you find don't have adapters or use obsolete mounts. My camera at the time was a Nikon D5200. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get inside because the screws were glued and rusted. The problematic lens element was at the middle group.

With the Adapt-A-Matic system, the interchangeable mounts are locked onto the lens by a screw ring. The Adaptall system is more convenient because adapters are attached via bayonet and it locks simply by turning the adapter clockwise until it clicks.

Image Quality

The lens was designed during an era that predates computers, it was all manual design. All of the elements are single-coated. The lens has a constant maximum aperture of f/4 (f/4 at 70mm, f/4 at 220mm). My sample shots were done with this lens having severe fungus infestation and haze. Despite its condition and cloudy output, images shot wide open at f/4 were sharp, no matter at 70mm or 220mm. The output was warm and yellowish.

Conclusion

Frankly, I thought this was a weird Tamron lens when I saw it in a shop back in 2016. It was nothing like I've ever seen. But it came in Nikon F mount and gave it a try. After researching, I found out what a rarity I had! I thought it was a promising lens because of its constant f/4 aperture and stylish build, but then the problematic elements could not be cleaned. I feel okay with the output given its condition. But can you imagine, a modern 70-210mm f/4 lens today would fetch a price of at least PhP 20,000!