Vivitar Lenses - Don't know anything about them

MShawn63 · 05-16-2008, 06:14 AM

A friend left me a nice present on my desk today, a Vivitar XV-1 with a 50 1:2 lens and a Sakar F=85-210mm 1:4.5 Macro Zoom lens, the glass is VERY clean and stored in lens cases with caps so the condition is wonderful.

What I don't know is anything about the lenses. The serial number on the 85-210 is No. 623585.

The mounts appear to be the same as Penatx so I might be able to use these with my K10D and *iSTD, hopefully.

If anyone has any information on either of the lenses, please let me know.

Thanks,
Shawn

little laker · 05-16-2008, 07:29 AM

Vivitar made some very nice lenses. Their series one was considered as their best.

This link might give you an idea what they were like as a company.

The chances are that that's a very good lens

Confused · 05-16-2008, 07:51 AM

Hi Shawn

Vivitar became a very well-established brand during the 1970's/1980's and sold a wide range of high-quality products such as the first mainstream zoom lenses (Series 1 70-210mm), as well as some almost legendary flashgun models (283/285).

cameras;: Vivitar 283 Flash; - from the other Martin Taylor

They also sold binoculars & telescopes etc. Try the links below for more info:

Vivitar

Vivitar Binoculars & Spotting Scopes on Sale!

Best regards
Richard

code4code5 · 05-17-2008, 12:00 PM

Along the same lines, does anyone know anything about this Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 screw mount lens? My Dad gave it to me years ago and it had two broken aperture blades. This week, I took it apart and was able to fix the blades, and now I think I might me quite happy with this. Point of focus was on the soccer ball in the neighbor's yard, and the first shot is a direct jpeg conversion. The second picture is after processing.

Last edited by code4code5; 06-08-2008 at 11:16 PM.

MShawn63 · 05-17-2008, 08:33 PM

I did find out one thing about the lenses that my friend gave me. Neither one fits Pentax. They are both a Vivitar mount, so they will end up on my shelf in my collection of old cameras. It's too bad really, the zoom lens is very nice.

**monochrome** · 05-17-2008, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by MShawn63

I did find out one thing about the lenses that my friend gave me. Neither one fits Pentax. They are both a Vivitar mount, so they will end up on my shelf in my collection of old cameras. It's too bad really, the zoom lens is very nice.

They might be T-Mount - that is a screw mount with a slightly shorter pitch than M42 (AKA Pentax screwmount). Vivitar made a Series 1 T-Mount > K adapter - they go by on ebaY once or twice a month. I believe telescopes use the T-Mount for cameras.

fearview · 05-17-2008, 08:49 PM

also they have what they called. tx mount.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27146-anybody-...ify-thing.html

05-16-2008, 06:14 AM	#1
MShawn63 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 225	Vivitar Lenses - Don't know anything about them A friend left me a nice present on my desk today, a Vivitar XV-1 with a 50 1:2 lens and a Sakar F=85-210mm 1:4.5 Macro Zoom lens, the glass is VERY clean and stored in lens cases with caps so the condition is wonderful. What I don't know is anything about the lenses. The serial number on the 85-210 is No. 623585. The mounts appear to be the same as Penatx so I might be able to use these with my K10D and *iSTD, hopefully. If anyone has any information on either of the lenses, please let me know. Thanks, Shawn

05-16-2008, 07:51 AM	#3
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	Hi Shawn Vivitar became a very well-established brand during the 1970's/1980's and sold a wide range of high-quality products such as the first mainstream zoom lenses (Series 1 70-210mm), as well as some almost legendary flashgun models (283/285). cameras;: Vivitar 283 Flash; - from the other Martin Taylor They also sold binoculars & telescopes etc. Try the links below for more info: Vivitar Vivitar Binoculars & Spotting Scopes on Sale! Best regards Richard Last edited by Confused; 05-16-2008 at 08:01 AM.

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05-16-2008, 07:29 AM	#2
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Vivitar made some very nice lenses. Their series one was considered as their best. This link might give you an idea what they were like as a company. The chances are that that's a very good lens

05-17-2008, 12:00 PM	#4
code4code5 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 438	Along the same lines, does anyone know anything about this Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 screw mount lens? My Dad gave it to me years ago and it had two broken aperture blades. This week, I took it apart and was able to fix the blades, and now I think I might me quite happy with this. Point of focus was on the soccer ball in the neighbor's yard, and the first shot is a direct jpeg conversion. The second picture is after processing. Last edited by code4code5; 06-08-2008 at 11:16 PM.

05-17-2008, 08:33 PM	#5
MShawn63 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 225 Original Poster	I did find out one thing about the lenses that my friend gave me. Neither one fits Pentax. They are both a Vivitar mount, so they will end up on my shelf in my collection of old cameras. It's too bad really, the zoom lens is very nice.

05-17-2008, 08:41 PM	#6
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by MShawn63 I did find out one thing about the lenses that my friend gave me. Neither one fits Pentax. They are both a Vivitar mount, so they will end up on my shelf in my collection of old cameras. It's too bad really, the zoom lens is very nice. They might be T-Mount - that is a screw mount with a slightly shorter pitch than M42 (AKA Pentax screwmount). Vivitar made a Series 1 T-Mount > K adapter - they go by on ebaY once or twice a month. I believe telescopes use the T-Mount for cameras.

05-17-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	also they have what they called. tx mount. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27146-anybody-...ify-thing.html

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