Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 Telephoto Zoom Lens

KerrTexas · 06-02-2010, 12:09 PM

This is my first post here, so if it is in the wrong section, my apologies. Also, if this lens has already been discussed...once again, my apologies.

In looking on-line for a telephoto zoom lens, this Vivitar Lens keeps popping up. In looking for any customer reviews, can't find any.

Was curious if anyone here purchased and has used the Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 Telephoto Zoom Lens and whether it is worth buying.

I have the Pentax *istDL. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Quicksand · 06-02-2010, 12:38 PM

You're in the right section, and welcome!

I ran across this lens about a year ago and couldn't find much, but I did come to suspect that it's a re-label of the same lens that is also sold as an Opteka:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/56604-vivitar-...50-1300mm.html

I can't confirm it's identical to the Opteka, but I strongly believe it is. Other lenses (such as the reasonably well-regarded 85mm f/1.4) are sold under Samyang, Vivitar, Opteka, Bower, and Rokinon names at the same time, while being the exact same product optically with only superficial external changes to distinguish them.

KerrTexas · 06-02-2010, 01:00 PM

Thank-you Quicksand...the link you provided answered my questions. As a newbie with all this, have alot to learn, and don't really want to invest alot of cash into high-end equipment, yet. Figure to play around with something like this for the learning experience more than anything else at this point.

omega leader · 06-02-2010, 01:04 PM

My understanding of the lens is that it is a 650mm f/8 prime lens with a dedicated 2x teleconverter to produce the 1300mm f/16 (two stops slower).

06-02-2010, 12:09 PM	#1
KerrTexas New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hill Country of Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 Telephoto Zoom Lens This is my first post here, so if it is in the wrong section, my apologies. Also, if this lens has already been discussed...once again, my apologies. In looking on-line for a telephoto zoom lens, this Vivitar Lens keeps popping up. In looking for any customer reviews, can't find any. Was curious if anyone here purchased and has used the Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 Telephoto Zoom Lens and whether it is worth buying. I have the Pentax *istDL. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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06-02-2010, 12:38 PM	#2
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	You're in the right section, and welcome! I ran across this lens about a year ago and couldn't find much, but I did come to suspect that it's a re-label of the same lens that is also sold as an Opteka: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/56604-vivitar-...50-1300mm.html I can't confirm it's identical to the Opteka, but I strongly believe it is. Other lenses (such as the reasonably well-regarded 85mm f/1.4) are sold under Samyang, Vivitar, Opteka, Bower, and Rokinon names at the same time, while being the exact same product optically with only superficial external changes to distinguish them.

06-02-2010, 01:00 PM	#3
KerrTexas New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hill Country of Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	Thank-you Quicksand...the link you provided answered my questions. As a newbie with all this, have alot to learn, and don't really want to invest alot of cash into high-end equipment, yet. Figure to play around with something like this for the learning experience more than anything else at this point.

06-02-2010, 01:04 PM	#4
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	My understanding of the lens is that it is a 650mm f/8 prime lens with a dedicated 2x teleconverter to produce the 1300mm f/16 (two stops slower).