Help with Vivitar lens please

dhugo3 · 03-31-2011, 03:01 AM

I am trying to figure out how I can use this lens. I originally thought I needed a T-Mount(wrong!), so I thought maybe someone here could help me out.

I have attached pictures of the lens and the removable mount (think it is a Minolta). Is there a mount that will allow it to work with my K-7 and other Pentax film cameras? If so where can I get one?

Thanks!

Last edited by dhugo3; 11-03-2012 at 09:00 AM.

older not wiser · 03-31-2011, 09:10 AM

I may be wrong but in the back of my mind I remember that Vivitar experimented in marketing a system similar to the Tamron adaptall system. Not sure it sold all that well. If I am correct they would have has a pentax mount available.

rhodopsin · 03-31-2011, 09:46 AM

That is the Vivitar T4 interchangeable mount, Minolta version shown. I am uncertain if T4 is made in K-mount, I know there exists M42 T4 mount which can be adapted via M42-K adapter.

edited -- Correction: changed TX to T4

**boriscleto** · 03-31-2011, 09:47 AM

It's not adaptall, it's a T4 mount.

SLR Lens Mount Identification Guide

I do not know of any T4 to K-mount adapters, but there are T4 to M42 adapters.

**boriscleto** · 03-31-2011, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

That is the Vivitar TX interchangeable mount, Minolta version shown. I am uncertain if Vivitar made TX in K-mount, I know there exists M42 TX mount which can be adapted via M42-K adapter.

Not TX either. If it were TX it would be marked TX.

rhodopsin · 03-31-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Not TX either. If it were TX it would be marked TX.

Thank you for the correction boriscleto. I corrected my previous post. Mount on lens pictured is T4, not the later Vivtar-only TX mount. There are many lenses with T4 mount, not only Vivitar.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-31-2011, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

It's not adaptall, it's a T4 mount.

SLR Lens Mount Identification Guide

I do not know of any T4 to K-mount adapters, but there are T4 to M42 adapters.

The most common T4 to M42 adapter is marked PX. These have to be modified because although they have a switch kind of like an A-M switch on a Takumar, it doesn't stick in the M(anual) position. You need that to adjust the aperture with the ring. The modification is easy.

Soligor and Vivitar sold T4 adapters and lenses. The lenses might all be Tokinas, like this 300/5.5.

There's a T4 to M42 adapter with a better switch, marked ES. I never thought it was worth tracking down, but if you stumble across it, it's easier to use.

You can use the TX adapters too, they are only a little different, and there's a TX to K adapter. That would also have to be modified in the same way. The TX to K adapter allows a TX lens to be used like it was a Pentax K or M lens, but when it's modified and used on a T4 lens, the lens works like a typical M42 lens instead.

You can usually find the adapters on eBay, properly identified. Or if you like adventure, a lot of these lenses are sold by people who have no idea about T4, TX, etc. The rectangular bump is easy to pick out in a photo. In a few weeks you can have a modest collection of lenses and adapters.

RioRico · 03-31-2011, 08:03 PM

Yes, definitely T4. I had a T4 Vivitar-Tokina 28/2.8 (#3718xxx) with a T4-M42 adapter. I sold that lens because it *didn't* have an M/A switch, just a stop-down button. So to use it, one must 1) preset the aperture, 2) aim and focus, 3) strain the left hand to reach the (stiff) stop-down button, while 4) pressing the shutter. This is sort of a three-hand job, and I am short by one

. I have been tempted by no T4 lenses since then. I suggest *very* careful evaluation of a T4 lens before spending money on one.

03-31-2011, 03:01 AM	#1
dhugo3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 106	Help with Vivitar lens please I am trying to figure out how I can use this lens. I originally thought I needed a T-Mount(wrong!), so I thought maybe someone here could help me out. I have attached pictures of the lens and the removable mount (think it is a Minolta). Is there a mount that will allow it to work with my K-7 and other Pentax film cameras? If so where can I get one? Thanks! Last edited by dhugo3; 11-03-2012 at 09:00 AM.

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03-31-2011, 09:10 AM	#2
older not wiser Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 120	I may be wrong but in the back of my mind I remember that Vivitar experimented in marketing a system similar to the Tamron adaptall system. Not sure it sold all that well. If I am correct they would have has a pentax mount available.

03-31-2011, 09:46 AM	#3
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	That is the Vivitar T4 interchangeable mount, Minolta version shown. I am uncertain if T4 is made in K-mount, I know there exists M42 T4 mount which can be adapted via M42-K adapter. edited -- Correction: changed TX to T4 Last edited by rhodopsin; 03-31-2011 at 11:49 AM. Reason: Correction: changed TX to T4

03-31-2011, 09:47 AM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	It's not adaptall, it's a T4 mount. SLR Lens Mount Identification Guide I do not know of any T4 to K-mount adapters, but there are T4 to M42 adapters.

03-31-2011, 09:51 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by rhodopsin That is the Vivitar TX interchangeable mount, Minolta version shown. I am uncertain if Vivitar made TX in K-mount, I know there exists M42 TX mount which can be adapted via M42-K adapter. Not TX either. If it were TX it would be marked TX.

03-31-2011, 09:58 AM	#6
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by boriscleto Not TX either. If it were TX it would be marked TX. Thank you for the correction boriscleto. I corrected my previous post. Mount on lens pictured is T4, not the later Vivtar-only TX mount. There are many lenses with T4 mount, not only Vivitar.

03-31-2011, 12:16 PM	#7
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by boriscleto It's not adaptall, it's a T4 mount. SLR Lens Mount Identification Guide I do not know of any T4 to K-mount adapters, but there are T4 to M42 adapters. The most common T4 to M42 adapter is marked PX. These have to be modified because although they have a switch kind of like an A-M switch on a Takumar, it doesn't stick in the M(anual) position. You need that to adjust the aperture with the ring. The modification is easy. Soligor and Vivitar sold T4 adapters and lenses. The lenses might all be Tokinas, like this 300/5.5. There's a T4 to M42 adapter with a better switch, marked ES. I never thought it was worth tracking down, but if you stumble across it, it's easier to use. You can use the TX adapters too, they are only a little different, and there's a TX to K adapter. That would also have to be modified in the same way. The TX to K adapter allows a TX lens to be used like it was a Pentax K or M lens, but when it's modified and used on a T4 lens, the lens works like a typical M42 lens instead. You can usually find the adapters on eBay, properly identified. Or if you like adventure, a lot of these lenses are sold by people who have no idea about T4, TX, etc. The rectangular bump is easy to pick out in a photo. In a few weeks you can have a modest collection of lenses and adapters.

03-31-2011, 08:03 PM	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Yes, definitely T4. I had a T4 Vivitar-Tokina 28/2.8 (#3718xxx) with a T4-M42 adapter. I sold that lens because it didn't have an M/A switch, just a stop-down button. So to use it, one must 1) preset the aperture, 2) aim and focus, 3) strain the left hand to reach the (stiff) stop-down button, while 4) pressing the shutter. This is sort of a three-hand job, and I am short by one . I have been tempted by no T4 lenses since then. I suggest very careful evaluation of a T4 lens before spending money on one.