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axl · 01-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Hi guys,
I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more...
anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!?
Anybody knows?

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-06-2008, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by axl

Hi guys,
I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more...
anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!?
Anybody knows?

I don't have this lens but there have been reported issues with the PK-A/R mount lenses getting stuck on pentax DSLR bodies. ALso there may be slight modification needed on the shield around the apature activating lever, as many vivitar and other third party PK or PK A/R mount lenses have a shield that is oversized and interferes with the DSLR body. The modification is simple and well documented in the lens forum

The attached thread is only the latest one I have seen

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/17587-help-tok...-ka-mount.html

axl · 01-06-2008, 02:03 PM

I just checked, there isn't any shield, just the lever, and what do you mean by getting stuck?!? It may happen I won't be able to take it off???

procyon · 01-06-2008, 02:13 PM

Go look at Pentax Lens/Camera Compatibility - Mark Roberts Photography and scroll down to "Incompatibility Warnings"

axl · 01-07-2008, 01:37 PM

As it says on page from prcyon's link:
Lenses designated "PK-A/R" are Pentax and Ricoh compatible, and should be safe.
this Vivitar is one of them. I tried it on K100D Super in shop, and I had it on my K100D at home, and it came off OK. I mean, if it was to happen it would have first time I put lens on body, right?!?
Has anybody had experience with this lens? How about it's IQ?

mediaslinky · 01-07-2008, 02:20 PM

Check for a small pin on the lens. If it is there, remove it and the lens should mount fine. It will be something that none of your other lenses have.

roy · 01-07-2008, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by axl

Hi guys,
I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more...
anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!?
Anybody knows?

i got basically the same lens but it's the non-S1 28-85/2.8-3.8 and it took great images until i knocked it over and chipped the front lens. someone is sending me a repacement as soon as he finds it. he moved, need i say more.. the 28-90 is suppose to be better.
i'd suggest a hood for it as the glass is almost flush with the outside.. cut down flare. the 28-105 is also a dandy. here's one with it.

01-06-2008, 01:44 PM	#1
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	LBA - cheap Vivitar Hi guys, I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more... anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!? Anybody knows?

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01-06-2008, 01:55 PM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by axl Hi guys, I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more... anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!? Anybody knows? I don't have this lens but there have been reported issues with the PK-A/R mount lenses getting stuck on pentax DSLR bodies. ALso there may be slight modification needed on the shield around the apature activating lever, as many vivitar and other third party PK or PK A/R mount lenses have a shield that is oversized and interferes with the DSLR body. The modification is simple and well documented in the lens forum The attached thread is only the latest one I have seen https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/17587-help-tok...-ka-mount.html

01-06-2008, 02:03 PM	#3
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	I just checked, there isn't any shield, just the lever, and what do you mean by getting stuck?!? It may happen I won't be able to take it off???

01-06-2008, 02:13 PM	#4
procyon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tallinn Posts: 265	Go look at Pentax Lens/Camera Compatibility - Mark Roberts Photography and scroll down to "Incompatibility Warnings"

01-07-2008, 01:37 PM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	As it says on page from prcyon's link: Lenses designated "PK-A/R" are Pentax and Ricoh compatible, and should be safe. this Vivitar is one of them. I tried it on K100D Super in shop, and I had it on my K100D at home, and it came off OK. I mean, if it was to happen it would have first time I put lens on body, right?!? Has anybody had experience with this lens? How about it's IQ?

01-07-2008, 02:20 PM	#6
mediaslinky Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 373	Check for a small pin on the lens. If it is there, remove it and the lens should mount fine. It will be something that none of your other lenses have.

01-07-2008, 03:00 PM	#7
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	Originally posted by axl Hi guys, I was walking around London looking for some used Pentax glass. I saw some smc m 50 f1.4 and so on, but they were bit more then I could and wanted to spend. At the end I ran into shop where guy threw at me Vivitar 28-70 f3.5-4.5 for PK-A/R MF. I don't think it's any excellent lens, but guy was selling it for 20GBP new, in box, with original caps manual and everything. I'm sure I could sell it for more... anyway, how good or bad in terms of IQ is this lens?!? Anybody knows? i got basically the same lens but it's the non-S1 28-85/2.8-3.8 and it took great images until i knocked it over and chipped the front lens. someone is sending me a repacement as soon as he finds it. he moved, need i say more.. the 28-90 is suppose to be better. i'd suggest a hood for it as the glass is almost flush with the outside.. cut down flare. the 28-105 is also a dandy. here's one with it.

LBA - cheap Vivitar

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