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01-25-2016, 05:02 AM   #1
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Vivitar 28mm f1.9

I am very fond of 28mm lenses on APS-C DSLRs, they constitute great "normal" primes (for me). My most used primes are probably the SMC K28/3.5 and the SMC K30/2.8 (not 28mm but very close). Recently I have been looking at various Vivitar 28mm incarnations, and especially the Vivitar series 1 28mm f1.9. I have been studying the reviews here on pentaxforums and also a few other reviews on the net, but I seem to be unable to find any decisive analysis of the Vivitar's optical characteristics.

How does the Vivitar 28mm f1.9 perform compared to the SMC K28/3.5 or the SMC K30/2.8?


I am grateful for any advice on this matter!

01-25-2016, 08:43 AM - 1 Like   #2
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Cant say... but I will say the Vivi 28mm close focus version is very nice!
01-25-2016, 11:16 AM - 1 Like   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Billy Joe Quote
[...] the Vivi 28mm close focus version is very nice!
Actually, there are two Vivitar 28mm Close Focusing versions, and both are worth looking for:

The Vivitar 28/2.0 Close Focusing (less common) -
Vivitar (Komine 28xxxx) 28mm F2.0 MC Close Focus Wide Angle Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

The Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focusing (more common) -
Vivitar (Komine 28xxxxx) 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

And the VS1 28/1.9 -
Vivitar Series 1 (Tokina 37xxxxx) 28mm F1.9 VMC Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

The Viv 28/2.0 CF is, IMHO, superior to either of the other two lenses listed above (and really should have been brandes as a Series 1 lens). OTOH, the VS1 28/1.9 and the Viv 28.2.8 CF might be more-or-less comparable. [And, all three are better than any other Vivitar 28 I have ever tried, but I've only tried a handful more, compared to the huge number of Viv 28's that are available ( Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary ).]

One additional consideration is the mount type -- the VS1 28/1.9 was made in only M42 and K-mount trim, while both Viv 28 CF lenses were made with M42, K, and Ka fittings.

Just some thoughts...

Last edited by fwcetus; 01-25-2016 at 09:27 PM.
01-25-2016, 03:01 PM   #4
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Thank you both for sharing your experience! There seems to be a lot to learn about Vivitar lenses!

01-25-2016, 03:15 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by bjolester Quote
There seems to be a lot to learn about Vivitar lenses!
Indeed there is. It's all (at least for me) just a particular variety of LBA... ;lol:

Good luck on your quest(s).
01-25-2016, 06:40 PM   #6
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I used to own the series 1 f/1.9 and it was a delightful lens. The large and super smooth focus ring is just beautiful. The lens is all metal and if you do any video, you will appreciate the 3d pop at wide open aperture in conjunction with that focus ring.

There are several nice Vivitar 28mm ;definitely worth sampling a few. I had a small collection at one time. Have fun shopping.
01-25-2016, 06:56 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by bjolester Quote
There seems to be a lot to learn about Vivitar lenses!
Funny, I was reading this thread when you posted. It's long, but you'll learn a lot about Vivitar 28mm lenses.

01-25-2016, 09:26 PM - 1 Like   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by les3547 Quote
Funny, I was reading this thread when you posted. It's long, but you'll learn a lot about Vivitar 28mm lenses.
Yes indeed -- it's basically a online history archive that was compiled while Robin Parmer ("rparmar") was developing the "Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary".
01-25-2016, 11:50 PM   #9
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bjolester,

Off-topic... I wonder if you may share your opinion re: K28 3.5 vs K30 2.8.

I several copies of each, and on the whole, the 28 seems sharper but has a magenta tinge whilst the 30 has nicer colours, saturation, contrast and dynamic range.

What do you think?

Thanks!
01-26-2016, 12:33 AM   #10
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Thanks mikeSF and les3547.

---------- Post added 26-01-16 at 09:48 ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by mortonbaychestnut Quote
bjolester,

Off-topic... I wonder if you may share your opinion re: K28 3.5 vs K30 2.8.

I several copies of each, and on the whole, the 28 seems sharper but has a magenta tinge whilst the 30 has nicer colours, saturation, contrast and dynamic range.

What do you think?

Thanks!
Before I found a copy of the SMC K30/2.8, the SMC K28/3.5 was my primary landscape lens for many years. The last year or so, I dared to start using the SMC K30/2.8 on a regular basis. I had some inhibitions using the lens at first, because of it being such a rare and rather expensive lens. But now it is more or less permanently fitted to my K-5.

I have not performed any "scientific" analytic comparison between the two lenses, but I have pixel peeped quite a lot, and I believe the SMC K30/2.8 is the sharper lens of the two, also in the borders of the frame. Have you seen Yoshihiko Takinami's Pentax lens tests? His findings support the notion that the SMC K30/2.8 is a very sharp lens: http://www.takinami.com/yoshihiko/photo/lens_test/pentax_28-30.html

Apart from the sharpness/resolution aspect, I find both lenses to have wonderful colour rendition and an undefinable character, that I happen to prefer, compared to many contemporary lenses.
01-26-2016, 01:58 AM   #11
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Thanks for your thoughts!


I have had the 30mm almost permanently attached to my SLR as well!
01-26-2016, 04:33 AM   #12
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I have the Komine 28/2 close focus and it's a very nice lens. Not great wide open but by f/4 it's super-sharp. I also like it a lot on film where the wide angle and speed can be very useful. It does tend to get pushed to one side in favour of the Pentax M 35mm f/2 I have though.
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