The Kitstar Macro Zoom 55-220 f/3.5-4.5 is a rather unique item. Not because of its name—it is known under a lot of names—but because it has that zoom range as well as a rather unique lens mount.
Let’s start with the different names it was sold under—
Kitstar MC 55-220 f/3.5-4.5
CPC HPS Auto Zoom 55-220 f/3.5-4.5
Ensinor MC 55-220 f/3.5-4.5
Topman MC Auto 55-220 f/3.5-4.5
Spiratone 55-220 f/3.5-4.5 (with Pluracoat)
Hanimex 55-220 f/3.5-4.5 MC Auto Zoom Macro
None of the names it was sold under leads me to the actual manufacturer. I did find there was a “Kit’s Camera” in BC once upon a time, but that time has passed.
The zoom range is quite distinctive. Most zoom were in the 70-100 mm to 150-210 range back when this lens was an item (I assume the 1980’s). As well as the starting focal length—55 mm—it was the ratio that is different. Two to one ratios like 75-150 mm or 100-200 were out there, as well as three to one ratios like 70-210 mm. But why would anyone want a lens that goes from normal focal length, a focal length you bought with the camera, all the way to a four to one ratio?
Of course if you get more for the same price I guess it would have some sales appeal. After all you get the 70 mm and the 210 mm lengths included.
The macro range also sets in only with the 55 mm focal length. All the other zoom lengths quit at slightly under 1.5 m (5 feet) but there is a separate zoom/focus adjustment that you are told to use at the 55 mm focal length (it can be activated at any focal length).
It has its own release button and is calibrated after a space from 1:10 through 1:8, 1:7, 1:6, 1:5 to 1:4. If I had a FD mount Canon handy I could see what is happening through the finder, but I don’t so I can’t report more.
The lens mount has the typical locked in “A” position with its own silver release button.
But it has a separate adjustment I will call the maximum aperture setting. It is in orange lettering and has four dots marked 2.8 and 3.5 at one end of the scale, and 4.5 and 5.6 at the other end. You press the pointer down and move it to one of the four dots. Just for laughs I expect it should be set to the f/3.5 dot as that is the lens maximum aperture, and then just at the 55 mm end of the focal lengths.
There is a silver button right at the top edge of the frame (slightly to the left of centre) that allows you to remove the entire lens mount!
I have never seen a coupling system like this before. To say it is a complicated interchangeable lens mounting system would be an understatement!
To add to the mount mystery there is a small knurled silver screw head facing into the camera on the inside of the lens mount., It has 2.8, 3.5, 4.5, 5.6 at 90, 180, 270 and 0 degrees with a large red dot to line one of those apertures to.
It would appear the “silver screw Head” is an adjustable “Full Aperture Signal Pin”.
The lens came with a Tiffen 55 mm Skylight filter. The close-down lever works well but the aperture is a bit slow to open (it likes to stick a little). The indexing lever is not as free wheeling as you would hope either. Otherwise the zooming action—it is one-touch zoom/focus—and the macro action are working very well.
NOTE: With further research I found more about the manufacturer of this optic. See “Topman Optics” blog coming soon!
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