| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: December 25, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very nice bokeh, very sharp | | Cons: | focus throw very long (not sure if this is cons) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D700, Pentax K-5IIs
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Don't know how many of this lens I have possessed. If price range is about CDN$150 + or - 20, I would tend to buy it. I am not a professional photographer, just an armature. Two years before I retired in 2009, I started to take photography as a hobby, which I thought couldn't take up too much bodily energy. I was wrong. Focusing on still subjects can be an exercise for my back, good or bad, not to mention chasing after an elk in the field.
Have played with Nikon and Pentax cameras with this lens. I like Pentax better because in manual mode, when the subject is in focus, a 'beep' sound can be heard. Not sure if I have misused Nikon digital cameras, I couldn't get that 'beep' sound. Posted here are six photos that I have taken with this lens, 3 with a Nikon D700, and 3 (the roses) with a Pentax K-5 II s. the file sizes (except the one of the wood table clock) of which have been reduced after post digital processing with Tiffen Dfx v3.
  | | | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2020 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: January 9, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | extremely sharp due to macro design, rare and offers 1:1 ratio all in a compact package | | Cons: | at 1:1 the lens is quite long | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon R5
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I use this on my Canon R5 and the results are simply incredible. Great color, sharpness and contrast. Definitely one of the rarer Vivitar lenses and also one of the better ones. When I think Vivitar, I think crap lenses, but this and some of the Series 1 lenses are amazing.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2018 Location: Larissa Posts: 2 | | | | | amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,645
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $102.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | sharp, color rendition, build quality | | Cons: | flare, bulky | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: K-3
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this is an all-metal, all-manual, film-era macro lens - and with its focal length of 55mm, it's not too-long or too-short, but a nice middling length. I have to admit to my fetish for 55mm lenses, so this one was a must-have when I found it on eBay for about $100 - my copy is in great shape, only physical fault is the focus ring grip has lost its adhesive and will spin if you are not serious about gripping it...
anyway, being a macro, the focus ring has a long-throw for accuracy and has great feel to it, but you can get tired of the nearly 670* of spin the focus ring has - yes, it will travel nearly-twice around to get from infinity to less-than-a-foot minimum focusing distance - this is a 1:1 macro...
I find only two negatives in the month I shot with the 55 Macro: first, the weight is a bit much, making my K-3 a bit ponderous for daily use; and, second, the lens' coatings just are not up to harsh/direct light and you'll see ghosting/flare/loss of contrast, but not surprising, given the lens' age...
but, if you want all the sharpness you can find in an older macro lens - this is it:
 rusty by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 pens by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
plus smooth bokeh:
 breakfast table... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 fresh eggs by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and a couple more of my favorites:
 sunset through asters by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of the album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157700353572515/page1 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2016 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: July 24, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp centre wide open, build quality, bokeh, true 1:1 | | Cons: | soft edges till f5.6, flare resistance not great, can be difficult to use at 1:1 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7s, Sony a6500
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This lens produces very sharp images on both the Sony A7s and a6500, especially in the centre. The edges aren't as good, but for macro work shot at f8 and smaller that's not a problem as the lens is sharp across the frame at that aperture. It's a versatile lens as it can be used as both a macro and a standard walk-around lens. It's bulky but pretty light.
My biggest gripe is usability at 1:1. At that magnification the front of the lens is so close to the subject that it's really only good for static objects. I might actually prefer shooting this lens at 1:2 because of that.
Check out my review of the lens with lots of image samples at http://www.theweekendlens.com/vivitar-55-f28-macro.html | | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2007 Location: Thach, Alabama Posts: 169
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 28, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, well built, very sharp, not too expensive. | | Cons: | No A setting, manual focus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10D, KX, K7
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If you see one for sale Get it. You will never regret buying it.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 27 | | Review Date: September 9, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | 1:1, sharp, no CA, great build quality, f2.8 | | Cons: | bigger then many other 50mm macro lenses | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: lx, k2, kx, gh3
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Like the lens for its ability to make 1:1 macro pictures without using an extension tube. Most 50mm macro lenses only reach 1:2. As a result the Vivitar is a bit bigger but it's still compact, no need for a hood either.
At f2.8 the corners are not as sharp as the center of the frame, f4 is better and by f5.6 you get great sharpness allover. For most macro work one will use a smaller aperture anyway. No problems to use f2.8 though, while just a little softer there are no CA's at all and contrast is already good. I consider the f2.8 as a nice bonus, since many 50mm macro lenses start at f3.5 or even f4. The Vivitar at f4 is just as good (better in most cases) and the f2.8 gives you a brighter viewfinder on top.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2014 Location: Blue Mountains NSW Posts: 6
1 user found this helpful
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: July 13, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | great macrolens (1:1) | | Cons: | short working distance | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: EOS M
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Best lens I ever bought, short working distance though.Very light and short.
The position of the frontlens is quite deep so no hood is necessary.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frdtrvr/14644832134/ | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 791
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 13, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $139.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build, Optics, Results | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-01
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I have the Rokunar PK version of this classic 1:1 macro lens. It is labeled V-HQ and looks nearly identical to the Vivitar / Panagor.
The build of this lens is unmatched... and the photo quality is brilliant with a high "keeper rate."
Very easy to use and focus because of the large focus ring and massive range of adjustment.
Self-hooded lens is nice too. Simply add a high-quality 62mm filter and you are good to go.
The only wish-list for this lens would be to get an auto-aperture version.
Can produce a beautiful softness when shot wide-open, but depends on composition.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: March 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | focus ring, sharpness, colors, bokeh, price | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Fuji XE-1
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This is my first lens review on the Pentax forums. I don't shoot Pentax, but I frequent these reviews for alt glass. Here goes!
I have the Panagor 55mm f/2.8, which I assume is just a rebranded Vivitar 55/2.8. The best part about this lens is its focus ring: it's super smooth, silky and a joy to use. The focus ring reminds me a lot of the Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 lens, which is one of my favorite manual lenses.
That being said, the lens yields super sharp images with great bokeh, well controlled CA and aberrations are minimal. It's overall IQ is just awesome. This will be one of the last lenses I sell, unless someone offers me triple the price for some crazy reason. I've used dozens and dozens of manual lenses, a half dozen macro lenses, and this one is near the top of my all time favorites.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 94
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good quality, sharp, colours, bokeh | | Cons: | Very fine focus adjustment - takes time; difficult to clean | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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My first macro lens so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seems like a quality bit of kit. I bought it for quite a lot more than I normally pay for vintage manual lenses, based purely on the reviews here! It even came with a nice (and mint) leatherette pouch. Classy and Kitsch all in one. .
Focusing at 1:1 is a nightmare without LV, and even then it's difficult. Depth of field is incredibly shallow and even tiny adjustments in the angle of the lens to the subject will throw everything out. This is one you have to work hard at, but my first attempts have thrown up one or two pleasing (to me) shots.
Having taken it apart to clean dust from the inside I can vouch for the fact it is well made. Even from the outside you can tell this, and mine looks as fresh as the day it left the factory. The focusing is so fine and takes so long it is far easier to move the whole lens, or the subject, something I often do with manual lenses anyway. With the front element buried deep in the barrel there is little chance of damaging it, although it is quite hard to clean so best not get it dirty.
If you can get it in focus, it's sharp. Bokeh is excellent as you would expect. Colours are rich and accurate, the best of all my lenses - usually I use a CP filter but this lens hardly needs it. For non-macro use it's great, better than many 50mm primes, and it would make a versatile walk-about lens were it not for the ultra-fine focusing.
Some samples from my first attempts around the house and garden: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1630revello/sets/72157637924317655/
Example of colour - no enhancements
Peppercorns 1:1
Micro cobwebs 1:1
With extension tube
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 7 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 813 | | Review Date: May 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast enough, brilliant macro and portrait performance, a joy to use | | Cons: | 1:1 means getting in very close. Rare. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I'm using it for my Single in May (2011) challenge, and it has just knocked my socks off.
It is very sharp, and very easy to focus (things just snap into focus).
Even sharp enough at F2.8 for low light portrait shots
Colour, contrast and bokeh are all decent.
Occasionally you will get a shot with a blue colour shift, but this is more the camera's doing.
The front lens is deeply recessed, so no lens hood is needed.
It's really a 9.5, but I'm giving it 10 because it is such a joy to use.
Some sample macro shots:
And a "portrait" shot:
Pied Cormorant in a tree
Jack.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 274 | | Review Date: December 30, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $112.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, roughly 82mm on crop sensor, image and build quality. | | Cons: | Must be patient and must be close at 1:1 | |
I picked up a Vivitar 55 f2.8 with a 1:1 macro capability for $110 on flebay a few weeks ago. It is used but might as well be NOS as it is perfect. It even came with two filters. This lens is amazing and I would recommend it very highly. It has a solid old-school build quality a very smooth and well damped range of motion. I took it to the conservatory at the St. Paul Zoo and was able to use it as my only lens with great shots of family and quick transitions to macro for flower / fern shots etc... With the lighting on the particular day I was there, a slower lens may have been a problem if I stuck to my MO and shot flash free. I cannot recommend this lens highly enough. The images are crisp and sharp and at 100% crop they still look great. I would like to see more distance between the lens and subject at 1:1, but it would be unfair to fault the lens on this. If you find one that is in great shape it would be worth every penny, and a shame to pass up if you need a true macro for your bag that can also stand in as a semi-fast 50.  | | |
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