Soligor C/D 135mm f/2 -vs- Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3

Boris_Akunin · 08-04-2013, 01:22 PM - **2 Likes**

Hi,

I recently picked up two fast off-brand 135s in M42 mount:
- Soligor C/D 135mm f/2.0 (built by Tokina)
- Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (built by Komine)

Both are in great condition and show no signs of wear but I'm not going to keep two of those monsters around.
I shot a comparison to decide which to keep, the Soligor is faster but the Vivitar is smaller and focuses down to 90cm (Soligor: 180cm).

Update:
I have added new close-up shots with the Vivitar at the end of this post.

I've shot through the aperture range of both lenses from exactly the same spot, once focused at ~2.5 and once at ~50m.
The 100% center- and corner-crops are from this scene:

(both shot at f/8 with the Soligor)

(shot with the Vivitar at f/2.3)

(shot with the Soligor at f/2)

The focus is always either on the middle "0" in "BW400CN" on the left side of the filmpack or on "Vonau" on the side of the bus.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3
100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP
Focus distance: ~2.5m

f/2:

f/2.4 or f/2.3:

f/2.8:

f/3.4:

f/4.0:

f/5.6:

f/8.0:

f/11:

f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3
100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP
Focus distance: ~50m

f/2:

f/2.4 or f/2.3:

f/2.8:

f/3.4:

f/4.0:

f/5.6:

f/8.0:

f/11:

f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3
100% corner crop, no sharpening or other PP
Focus distance: ~2.5m

f/2:

f/2.4 or f/2.3:

f/2.8:

f/3.4:

f/4.0:

f/5.6:

f/8.0:

f/11:

f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3
100% corner crop, no sharpening or other PP
Focus distance: ~50m

f/2:

f/2.4 or f/2.3:

f/2.8:

f/3.4:

f/4.0:

f/5.6:

f/8.0:

f/11:

f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Vivitar can focus quite a bit closer of course:

(shot at f/8)

Vivitar 135/2.3
100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP
Focus distance: ~0.95m

f/2.3 & f/2.8:

f/3.4 & f/4.0:

f/5.6 & f/8.0:

f/11 & f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Update:

The full images are on Flickr:
CLOSE: Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 - a set on Flickr

The crops are on Picsurge:
picsurge.com - CLOSE: Vivitar 135/2.3

f/2.3 & f/2.8:

f/3.4 & f/4:

f/4.8 & f/5.6:

f/6.7 & f8:

f/9.5 & f/11:

f/13 & f/16:

f/2.3 & f/2.8:

f/3.4 & f/4:

f/4.8 & f/5.6:

f/6.7 & f8:

f/9.5 & f/11:

f/13 & f/16:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

So what do you think, which one should I keep?

regards
Jan

Last edited by Boris_Akunin; 10-09-2013 at 04:10 PM. Reason: New test shots added

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-04-2013, 07:20 PM

See if you can get rid of the purple fringing on the Vivitar shots and if that works, keep the Vivitar. It's sharper but that doesn't matter as much as the minimum focus distance to me. Because they are fast, they are useful indoors, but the Soligor needs a big room and the Vivitar doesn't.

Boris_Akunin · 10-02-2013, 09:01 PM - **2 Likes**

I've sold the Soligor and I'm keeping the Vivitar for now.
In the meantime I've found it's longer sibling, the 200mm f/3.0. I'll do a comparison with my M200/4.

Is anyone actually interested in the 100% crops?
If you want me to post detailed crops like I did here, tell me. I promise, I'll choose a better scene with less balcony railing...

regards
Jan

seppstefano · 10-03-2013, 06:44 AM

Please, I am interested!

BTW, great work, thank you.

Stefano

Boris_Akunin · 10-03-2013, 12:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by seppstefano

Please, I am interested!

BTW, great work, thank you.

Stefano

Here you go!

Boris_Akunin · 10-09-2013, 04:11 PM - **1 Like**

I've added new close-up shots with the Vivitar:

The full images are on Flickr:
CLOSE: Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 - a set on Flickr

The crops are on Picsurge:
picsurge.com - CLOSE: Vivitar 135/2.3

f/2.3 & f/2.8:

f/3.4 & f/4:

f/4.8 & f/5.6:

f/6.7 & f8:

f/9.5 & f/11:

f/13 & f/16:

f/2.3 & f/2.8:

f/3.4 & f/4:

f/4.8 & f/5.6:

f/6.7 & f8:

f/9.5 & f/11:

f/13 & f/16:

Boris_Akunin · 10-10-2013, 09:13 PM - **1 Like**

~~The Vivitar is now for sale, if anyone's interested (links are in my sig.).~~

Last edited by Boris_Akunin; 04-04-2014 at 06:10 PM.

08-04-2013, 01:22 PM - 2 Likes	#1
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Soligor C/D 135mm f/2 -vs- Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (UPDATE: New test shots) Hi, I recently picked up two fast off-brand 135s in M42 mount: - Soligor C/D 135mm f/2.0 (built by Tokina) - Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (built by Komine) Both are in great condition and show no signs of wear but I'm not going to keep two of those monsters around. I shot a comparison to decide which to keep, the Soligor is faster but the Vivitar is smaller and focuses down to 90cm (Soligor: 180cm). Update: I have added new close-up shots with the Vivitar at the end of this post. I've shot through the aperture range of both lenses from exactly the same spot, once focused at ~2.5 and once at ~50m. The 100% center- and corner-crops are from this scene: (both shot at f/8 with the Soligor) (shot with the Vivitar at f/2.3) (shot with the Soligor at f/2) The focus is always either on the middle "0" in "BW400CN" on the left side of the filmpack or on "Vonau" on the side of the bus. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3 100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP Focus distance: ~2.5m f/2: f/2.4 or f/2.3: f/2.8: f/3.4: f/4.0: f/5.6: f/8.0: f/11: f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3 100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP Focus distance: ~50m f/2: f/2.4 or f/2.3: f/2.8: f/3.4: f/4.0: f/5.6: f/8.0: f/11: f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3 100% corner crop, no sharpening or other PP Focus distance: ~2.5m f/2: f/2.4 or f/2.3: f/2.8: f/3.4: f/4.0: f/5.6: f/8.0: f/11: f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soligor 135/2 -vs- Vivitar 135/2.3 100% corner crop, no sharpening or other PP Focus distance: ~50m f/2: f/2.4 or f/2.3: f/2.8: f/3.4: f/4.0: f/5.6: f/8.0: f/11: f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Vivitar can focus quite a bit closer of course: (shot at f/8) Vivitar 135/2.3 100% center crop, no sharpening or other PP Focus distance: ~0.95m f/2.3 & f/2.8: f/3.4 & f/4.0: f/5.6 & f/8.0: f/11 & f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Update: The full images are on Flickr: CLOSE: Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 - a set on Flickr The crops are on Picsurge: picsurge.com - CLOSE: Vivitar 135/2.3 f/2.3 & f/2.8: f/3.4 & f/4: f/4.8 & f/5.6: f/6.7 & f8: f/9.5 & f/11: f/13 & f/16: f/2.3 & f/2.8: f/3.4 & f/4: f/4.8 & f/5.6: f/6.7 & f8: f/9.5 & f/11: f/13 & f/16: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So what do you think, which one should I keep? regards Jan Last edited by Boris_Akunin; 10-09-2013 at 04:10 PM. Reason: New test shots added

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08-04-2013, 07:20 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	See if you can get rid of the purple fringing on the Vivitar shots and if that works, keep the Vivitar. It's sharper but that doesn't matter as much as the minimum focus distance to me. Because they are fast, they are useful indoors, but the Soligor needs a big room and the Vivitar doesn't.

10-02-2013, 09:01 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	I've sold the Soligor and I'm keeping the Vivitar for now. In the meantime I've found it's longer sibling, the 200mm f/3.0. I'll do a comparison with my M200/4. Is anyone actually interested in the 100% crops? If you want me to post detailed crops like I did here, tell me. I promise, I'll choose a better scene with less balcony railing... regards Jan

10-03-2013, 06:44 AM	#4
seppstefano Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 38	Please, I am interested! BTW, great work, thank you. Stefano

10-03-2013, 12:17 PM - 1 Like	#5
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by seppstefano Please, I am interested! BTW, great work, thank you. Stefano Here you go!

10-09-2013, 04:11 PM - 1 Like	#6
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	I've added new close-up shots with the Vivitar: The full images are on Flickr: CLOSE: Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 - a set on Flickr The crops are on Picsurge: picsurge.com - CLOSE: Vivitar 135/2.3 f/2.3 & f/2.8: f/3.4 & f/4: f/4.8 & f/5.6: f/6.7 & f8: f/9.5 & f/11: f/13 & f/16: f/2.3 & f/2.8: f/3.4 & f/4: f/4.8 & f/5.6: f/6.7 & f8: f/9.5 & f/11: f/13 & f/16:

10-10-2013, 09:13 PM - 1 Like	#7
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	~~The Vivitar is now for sale, if anyone's interested (links are in my sig.).~~ Last edited by Boris_Akunin; 04-04-2014 at 06:10 PM.