The Soligor 28mm f2.8 or the Vivitar MC 28mm f2.8?

kelvin.wong · 04-25-2011, 05:35 PM

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I'm stuck which one to go for? Can anyone provide info which one is better?

RioRico · 04-25-2011, 05:51 PM

Over on another site is a list of about a dozen versions, from various makers, of 28/2.8 lenses labeled as Soligor; I have one made by Tokina. Probably that many different Vivitar versions exist also; I have had three, variously made by Tokina, Kiron, and Komine. Vivitar and Soligor, like Hanimex and Porst and Sears and others, were marketing organizations which bought and sold lenses from many makers.

For more help: What are the serial numbers on your candidate lenses? Those might reveal the lensmakers, who may be from Japan, Germany, USA, or maybe Korea. But I think you'll probably find that your candidates are pretty equivalent. Hay, they might even be the same lens from the same maker but with different names on them, that's all!

rbryant · 04-25-2011, 06:47 PM

I apologize for thread-jacking. I am also very interested in these, having two 35mm camera bodies, but only one 28/2.8 (which will just not do). Are there any particular brands / types of these you'd recommend avoiding? And has anyone heard of a brand called "Underground?" Thanks.

Ratmagiclady · 04-25-2011, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by rbryant

I apologize for thread-jacking. I am also very interested in these, having two 35mm camera bodies, but only one 28/2.8 (which will just not do). Are there any particular brands / types of these you'd recommend avoiding? And has anyone heard of a brand called "Underground?" Thanks.

'Underground' is a store brand from the Boston area, circa the 80's and before, .. . their store-branded lenses will usually be among the better no-names, just with their own name on there. They usually tried to offer decent stuff, so you're probably safe enough with a prime from them.

(If you get one with an Underground cap, I'll trade you something for said cap? For nostalgia's sake.

)

rbryant · 04-25-2011, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

(If you get one with an Underground cap, I'll trade you something for said cap? For nostalgia's sake. )

Fleabay has a listing for one here: Pentax fit Underground 28mm f2.8 lens PK mint | eBay... if the guy were selling it for a bit less, I'd most definitely trade you for the cap. ;-)

JohnBee · 04-25-2011, 08:12 PM - **1 Like**

I picked-up(quite cheap) an Underground MC 28/2.8 about a year ago during my own 31mm alternative craze. And sold it shortly after getting my firsdt Vivitar CF 28/2.8

It was an okay lens(nothing wrong with it).
But it paled in contrast to the Vivitar CF 28mm lens in wide open performance, colors and of course... close focusing distance.

Hope this helps

stevebrot · 04-25-2011, 09:10 PM

The various Vivitar 28mm metal-build lenses in K-mount are pretty hard to beat and are very much a sure thing. I have the CF 28/2.8 and it is a winner, to be sure, though I prefer my Tamron 28/2.5

Steve

JohnBee · 04-25-2011, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I have the CF 28/2.8 and it is a winner, to be sure, though I prefer my Tamron 28/2.5

Steve

Okay, I'll bite
Tell me why you prefer the Tamron 28/2.5

stevebrot · 04-25-2011, 11:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JohnBee

Okay, I'll bite
Tell me why you prefer the Tamron 28/2.5

It is a long story...got a few minutes?

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90340-vivitar-...m-2-5-02b.html

Steve

(Ummm...just noticed that all the image links for the thread seem to be broken...somebody at PF changed the URLs for photos in my albums?)

(Found the images and redid the tags to point to the new URL...I wish they wouldn't do that...)

JohnBee · 04-25-2011, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It is a long story...got a few minutes?

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90340-vivitar-...m-2-5-02b.html

Steve

(Ummm...just noticed that all the image links for the thread seem to be broken...somebody at PF changed the URLs for photos in my albums?)

Wow that's great!
I don't like long stories, but this one has pictures in it, so that makes it all better.

Excellent job on that report btw.
I will enjoy reading it.

RioRico · 04-26-2011, 02:11 AM

Has anyone done a shoot-out between those mentioned above and the Vivitar-Komine CF WA f/2?

stevebrot · 04-26-2011, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Has anyone done a shoot-out between those mentioned above and the Vivitar-Komine CF WA f/2?

Send me the lens and I will do the comparison.

Steve

(You might not get it back

)

04-25-2011, 05:35 PM	#1
kelvin.wong New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 23	The Soligor 28mm f2.8 or the Vivitar MC 28mm f2.8? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I'm stuck which one to go for? Can anyone provide info which one is better?

04-25-2011, 05:51 PM	#2
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Over on another site is a list of about a dozen versions, from various makers, of 28/2.8 lenses labeled as Soligor; I have one made by Tokina. Probably that many different Vivitar versions exist also; I have had three, variously made by Tokina, Kiron, and Komine. Vivitar and Soligor, like Hanimex and Porst and Sears and others, were marketing organizations which bought and sold lenses from many makers. For more help: What are the serial numbers on your candidate lenses? Those might reveal the lensmakers, who may be from Japan, Germany, USA, or maybe Korea. But I think you'll probably find that your candidates are pretty equivalent. Hay, they might even be the same lens from the same maker but with different names on them, that's all! Last edited by RioRico; 04-25-2011 at 05:58 PM.

04-25-2011, 11:06 PM - 1 Like	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by JohnBee Okay, I'll bite Tell me why you prefer the Tamron 28/2.5 It is a long story...got a few minutes? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90340-vivitar-...m-2-5-02b.html Steve (Ummm...just noticed that all the image links for the thread seem to be broken...somebody at PF changed the URLs for photos in my albums?) (Found the images and redid the tags to point to the new URL...I wish they wouldn't do that...) Last edited by stevebrot; 04-25-2011 at 11:31 PM.

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04-25-2011, 06:47 PM	#3
rbryant Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanford, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 81	I apologize for thread-jacking. I am also very interested in these, having two 35mm camera bodies, but only one 28/2.8 (which will just not do). Are there any particular brands / types of these you'd recommend avoiding? And has anyone heard of a brand called "Underground?" Thanks.

04-25-2011, 07:02 PM	#4
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by rbryant I apologize for thread-jacking. I am also very interested in these, having two 35mm camera bodies, but only one 28/2.8 (which will just not do). Are there any particular brands / types of these you'd recommend avoiding? And has anyone heard of a brand called "Underground?" Thanks. 'Underground' is a store brand from the Boston area, circa the 80's and before, .. . their store-branded lenses will usually be among the better no-names, just with their own name on there. They usually tried to offer decent stuff, so you're probably safe enough with a prime from them. (If you get one with an Underground cap, I'll trade you something for said cap? For nostalgia's sake. )

04-25-2011, 08:00 PM	#5
rbryant Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanford, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 81	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady (If you get one with an Underground cap, I'll trade you something for said cap? For nostalgia's sake. ) Fleabay has a listing for one here: Pentax fit Underground 28mm f2.8 lens PK mint \| eBay... if the guy were selling it for a bit less, I'd most definitely trade you for the cap. ;-)

04-25-2011, 08:12 PM - 1 Like	#6
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	I picked-up(quite cheap) an Underground MC 28/2.8 about a year ago during my own 31mm alternative craze. And sold it shortly after getting my firsdt Vivitar CF 28/2.8 It was an okay lens(nothing wrong with it). But it paled in contrast to the Vivitar CF 28mm lens in wide open performance, colors and of course... close focusing distance. Hope this helps

04-25-2011, 09:10 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The various Vivitar 28mm metal-build lenses in K-mount are pretty hard to beat and are very much a sure thing. I have the CF 28/2.8 and it is a winner, to be sure, though I prefer my Tamron 28/2.5 Steve

04-25-2011, 09:16 PM	#8
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by stevebrot I have the CF 28/2.8 and it is a winner, to be sure, though I prefer my Tamron 28/2.5 Steve Okay, I'll bite Tell me why you prefer the Tamron 28/2.5

04-25-2011, 11:24 PM	#10
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by stevebrot It is a long story...got a few minutes? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90340-vivitar-...m-2-5-02b.html Steve (Ummm...just noticed that all the image links for the thread seem to be broken...somebody at PF changed the URLs for photos in my albums?) Wow that's great! I don't like long stories, but this one has pictures in it, so that makes it all better. Excellent job on that report btw. I will enjoy reading it.

04-26-2011, 02:11 AM	#11
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Has anyone done a shoot-out between those mentioned above and the Vivitar-Komine CF WA f/2?

04-26-2011, 07:20 AM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by RioRico Has anyone done a shoot-out between those mentioned above and the Vivitar-Komine CF WA f/2? Send me the lens and I will do the comparison. Steve (You might not get it back )

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