Vivitar series 1 105mm macro

link81 · 01-22-2014, 11:40 AM

i found a vivitar 105mm f2.5 macro locally attached to a camera and flash for a really good price. But, before i pull the trigger, i have a couple questions.

From what i've read there are multiple manufacturers that built these, with the most desirable being the kiron, with a serial beginning with 22. Does anyone know what other manufacturers built these, and their associated serial numbers?

are any of these "bad" or are they all pretty darn good??

anything in particular i should look for? or just the standard "used lens" issues?

thanks

wisent · 01-22-2014, 11:59 AM

All I can say is that I once had one (sold it for a Pentax 100 mm macro WR) and it had the smoothest focus I have ever experienced in any lens! I doubt that there are really bad versions of this lens.

**dunerunner** · 01-22-2014, 12:05 PM

I love mine, it's serial # starts with 22.

ducdao · 01-22-2014, 12:19 PM

Get it regardless of the serial number. You can't simply go wrong with that lens.

link81 · 01-22-2014, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by ducdao

Get it regardless of the serial number. You can't simply go wrong with that lens.

thats what i like to hear. i'm going to look at it saturday, from what i know, the guy's a dentist, and is getting rid of some of his older gear from photographing teeth. he told me it's in very good condition, no boxes or cases though.

He also has a nikon FM and a bunch of old nikon lens's. i'm going to look at them, but don't really have much interest, unless he makes me an offer i can't refuse :-)

DSims · 01-22-2014, 01:16 PM

I had this lens (the Series 1 f/2.5 version). I never had the others to compare to, but you would've had a hard time convincing me I didn't have the best one of the series. Not only did it take great photos, it had a nice rubber grip, and it went to f/2.5 instead of f/2.8. In addition to being sharp, it created beautiful background blur.

vonBaloney · 01-22-2014, 01:31 PM

They were not made by multiple manufacturers, not the Viv Series 1 105/2.5. However, there are similar macro lenses (close to 105/2.5, but not 105/2.5), and that same lens was also branded under various other names (as 105/2.8, which is what it really is anyway). And there is a version with dental markings, I think. And possibly without 'A' setting, but I think all the Series 1's had that. It should look like the one on this page:

Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 Macro Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**monochrome** · 01-22-2014, 01:46 PM

That is honestly and truly the only lens I formerly owned that I regret having sold.

link81 · 01-22-2014, 01:46 PM

i know its marked 2.5 and i know the focus grip is marked "vivitar series" from the pictures, but i can't see the "1" (i think it's safe to assume though)

it's hooked up to a pentax pz-10, i'm thinking its auto aperture, (i didn't think there were any pentax ones that weren't) but until its in my grubby little hands, i don't know for sure.

Not a Number · 01-22-2014, 02:21 PM

The Series 1 Vivitar had two iterations of the Kino Precision (Kiron) Lens - 100mm f/2.8 and 105mm f/2.5. Run don't walk to pick this one up at a good price.

Making Not Taking: 105mm Kiron Iterations

vonBaloney · 01-22-2014, 02:55 PM

There is also a Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5, made by Tokina (the "Bokina") which is also a fantastic lens. (And I've got one sitting in front of me now cause I'm about to list it for sale here.) But it looks quite a bit different...

link81 · 01-22-2014, 04:36 PM

He's bringing it home, because it turns out he lives right down the road from me. I'm really hoping its in good shape. Seeing how it's under a hundred bucks

And it's definitally not the tokina pictures match it perfectly to the vs1 105

indy · 01-22-2014, 05:18 PM

This lens is utterly amazing. I use it to benchmark all of my newly purchased lenses against. My father-in-law has the latest and greatest canon equivalent on a 40D body. We did an impromptu same shot comparison and the series 1 won! I will never sell this lens. It is a work of engineering art.

link81 · 01-25-2014, 08:55 AM

Woohoo just got back from picking it up. Serial#22xx. Great shape. Glass looks perfect. Genaric front cap, and a pz10 for a rear cap. Also has a vivitar macro flash(not a ring) for a grand total of $75. Pretty good deal I think. Now to play with this bad boy and get some pictures.

indy · 01-25-2014, 02:14 PM

That is not a good deal....that is criminal. A bit like giving an old lady 500$ for her husband's 68 corvette that she parked in the barn when he died 30 years ago.

01-22-2014, 11:40 AM	#1
link81 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 12822 Photos: Albums Posts: 459	Vivitar series 1 105mm macro i found a vivitar 105mm f2.5 macro locally attached to a camera and flash for a really good price. But, before i pull the trigger, i have a couple questions. From what i've read there are multiple manufacturers that built these, with the most desirable being the kiron, with a serial beginning with 22. Does anyone know what other manufacturers built these, and their associated serial numbers? are any of these "bad" or are they all pretty darn good?? anything in particular i should look for? or just the standard "used lens" issues? thanks

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01-22-2014, 11:59 AM	#2
wisent Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 62	All I can say is that I once had one (sold it for a Pentax 100 mm macro WR) and it had the smoothest focus I have ever experienced in any lens! I doubt that there are really bad versions of this lens.

01-22-2014, 12:05 PM	#3
dunerunner Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Black Hills Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,108	I love mine, it's serial # starts with 22.

01-22-2014, 12:19 PM	#4
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Get it regardless of the serial number. You can't simply go wrong with that lens.

01-22-2014, 12:28 PM	#5
link81 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 12822 Photos: Albums Posts: 459 Original Poster	Originally posted by ducdao Get it regardless of the serial number. You can't simply go wrong with that lens. thats what i like to hear. i'm going to look at it saturday, from what i know, the guy's a dentist, and is getting rid of some of his older gear from photographing teeth. he told me it's in very good condition, no boxes or cases though. He also has a nikon FM and a bunch of old nikon lens's. i'm going to look at them, but don't really have much interest, unless he makes me an offer i can't refuse :-)

01-22-2014, 01:16 PM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	I had this lens (the Series 1 f/2.5 version). I never had the others to compare to, but you would've had a hard time convincing me I didn't have the best one of the series. Not only did it take great photos, it had a nice rubber grip, and it went to f/2.5 instead of f/2.8. In addition to being sharp, it created beautiful background blur.

01-22-2014, 01:31 PM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	They were not made by multiple manufacturers, not the Viv Series 1 105/2.5. However, there are similar macro lenses (close to 105/2.5, but not 105/2.5), and that same lens was also branded under various other names (as 105/2.8, which is what it really is anyway). And there is a version with dental markings, I think. And possibly without 'A' setting, but I think all the Series 1's had that. It should look like the one on this page: Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 Macro Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

01-22-2014, 01:46 PM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	That is honestly and truly the only lens I formerly owned that I regret having sold.

01-22-2014, 02:21 PM	#10
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The Series 1 Vivitar had two iterations of the Kino Precision (Kiron) Lens - 100mm f/2.8 and 105mm f/2.5. Run don't walk to pick this one up at a good price. Making Not Taking: 105mm Kiron Iterations

01-22-2014, 02:55 PM	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	There is also a Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5, made by Tokina (the "Bokina") which is also a fantastic lens. (And I've got one sitting in front of me now cause I'm about to list it for sale here.) But it looks quite a bit different...

01-22-2014, 04:36 PM	#12
link81 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 12822 Photos: Albums Posts: 459 Original Poster	He's bringing it home, because it turns out he lives right down the road from me. I'm really hoping its in good shape. Seeing how it's under a hundred bucks And it's definitally not the tokina pictures match it perfectly to the vs1 105

01-22-2014, 05:18 PM	#13
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	This lens is utterly amazing. I use it to benchmark all of my newly purchased lenses against. My father-in-law has the latest and greatest canon equivalent on a 40D body. We did an impromptu same shot comparison and the series 1 won! I will never sell this lens. It is a work of engineering art.

01-25-2014, 08:55 AM	#14
link81 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 12822 Photos: Albums Posts: 459 Original Poster	Woohoo just got back from picking it up. Serial#22xx. Great shape. Glass looks perfect. Genaric front cap, and a pz10 for a rear cap. Also has a vivitar macro flash(not a ring) for a grand total of $75. Pretty good deal I think. Now to play with this bad boy and get some pictures.

01-25-2014, 02:14 PM	#15
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	That is not a good deal....that is criminal. A bit like giving an old lady 500$ for her husband's 68 corvette that she parked in the barn when he died 30 years ago.