Kalimar 50mm f1.7

     Kalimar was a distributor for re-branded cameras, lenses, etc.   Their products were made by Cosina, Seagull, Zenit and a few others.  Their products varied in quality.    This lens was probably made by Cosina for Kalimar and paired with their re-branded version of the Minolta X300s.  

     Most 50mm lenses are designed like the Contax Planar.  It is a standard design.  Because of this most 50mm lenses are excellent, including those made by third party manufacturers.   Only a few stand out as being 'bad'.   Yungnuo has managed to make a bad 50mm.   

    Thankfully Kalimar probably chose Cosina to make their 50mm lens.   It looks and feels like a Cosina build.     Build quality is typical of an 80's era half plastic lens.     

    Optically it is soft at f1.7.  No surprises there.   It sharpens up nicely by f4.    It is similar to the Series E Nikkor 50mm f1.8, both in feel and IQ.