[csbtrod]

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I've been looking for a 100mm prime lens. I was searching on ebay for the Pentax-M 100mm, and came across this Vivitar http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-100mm-2-8-Perfect-M42-Pentax-Portrait-lens-Mint-/290618190162?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item43aa31a952 . I did a search here, and this appears to be different than the Vivitar 100mm 2.8 macro. Didn't see it in the review section either.

Does anyone have any experience with this lens?

[Just1MoreDave]

I have one right here, with a serial number only a few hundred away from that one. Mine had a focus ring that was very hard to turn. It was impossible to use that way because focusing would unscrew the adapter. I've been working on it for a while and only recently taken photos with it. It's bigger than the Pentax-M 100/2.8, just a bit longer than the Pentax-M 135/3.5, and larger diameter consistent with 55mm filter size. The extra diameter covers the electrical contacts on a DSLR, which are exposed on Takumar 105/2.8s. It has a short slide out hood. Focus ring sweep is 180 degrees. Minimum distance is a little longer than the Pentax-M, less than 1.5m/5ft. The aperture has 8 blades. It's definitely built as a short telephoto, not a macro.

I like it so far. Images are similar to a Vivitar/Komine 135/2.8. Mine still needs more effort to focus than I'd like, but that may not apply to other copies. The minimum focus distance is just a bit too long for me. The Pentax allows an extra couple of feet and the S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8 is 4 feet or so, making the lens easier to use indoors. Based on other Vivitars of this vintage, flare resistance might not be great.

That price is too high. You can get a Super-Takumar 105/2.8 for much less, and I'd say that was a roughly comparable lens. I don't see a lot of the Vivitars for sale so there's not that much historical sale data. I'd sell mine for $50.

[csbtrod]

Thanks for the info. I figured the price was too high, but you never know . . .

Maybe I'll look at the Super-Tak.

Interestingly, I recently purchased a Vivitar 200/3.5, and it has a focus ring that is hard to turn.

Thanks again,

Sandra

[RioRico]

I checked the Vivitar 100/2.8 completed listings. The seller of that lens has dropped his price a couple times, still outrageously high. A copy for Nikon Pre-AI mount (which will fit unmodified on a Pentax PK body) recently sold for US$26.

If we look at SuperTak 105/2.8 completed listings, prices are all over the place, from US$57 to $140. I got mine a few months ago for under US$20 shipped. It's quite nutz, all a matter of the fickle finger of fate. Good luck!

[Damian]

Get a Super Tak 105/2.8. I love mine. It has a very nice quality to the rendering you just don't see from modern lenses. Picked one up for $65 a while back. If you ask me, that's a bargain considering how good it is.

[Just1MoreDave]

... A copy for Nikon Pre-AI mount (which will fit unmodified on a Pentax PK body) recently sold for US$26.

That's going to ruin my chance to get $50. All the ones I've seen are in this older Vivitar style, with knurled metal focus rings. The lens may not have lasted long enough to have a rubber grip version.

My journey at this focal length:
missed a K105/2.8 by that much, really bothered me
got an M100/2.8 but read somewhere it wasn't as good as the K105/2.8, let that bother me too
got a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105/2.8 because I never saw an affordable K again
sold the M100/2.8 for a big profit
discovered that the M100/2.8 was better than the test I read before, crap
tapered base on Takumar 105 was barely larger than the adapter, which bugged me
bought Vivitar at a why-not price, except focus effort needed a wrench
kept finding reasons to skip 100-105mm
got a Tamron 90/2.5 macro and liked it a lot better for general use
sold S-M-C Takumar, realizing I wasn't using it
pretty happy with Tamron except for size
probably will sell the Vivitar if I can improve its focusing

The M100/2.8 represents everything I would want in this range, so it was a mistake to sell it. The macros are always a choice here and can complicate the buying decision a lot.

[RioRico]

I love my Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8 and SuperTak 105/2.8. But they're not what I usually use in that neighborhood. Slower and cheaper are often deadly sharp. Here are some wild-ass suggestions:

* My tiny Enna Tele-Sandmar (US$7) and lightweight Isco Westar (US$17) 100/4.5 have spoilt me, especially the Enna. Both needed minor reversible mods to fit PK mount, and they're well worth it.

* For edge-to-edge flatfield sharpness, nothing beats enlarger lenses (ELs). Various cheap (under US$20) 105-110mm f/3.5-4.5 ELs are all great on bellows, focusing from infinity down to ~10cm / 4in.

* For more character and even less money, projector lenses near 100mm or projector zooms at 100-150mm (under US$5) only shoot wide-open, around f/3.5, but can give a rounded, dimensional look to images.

Maybe some of these would suit you, maybe not. Whatever. Have fun!

That's going to ruin my chance to get $50.

Naw, probably not. Like I said, theses prices are all over the place. And not that many know the pre-AI-->PK trick. The M42 version should incite some demand. Hopefully.

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Last edited by RioRico; 10-12-2011 at 08:18 PM.