Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5

iunknown · 07-08-2008, 07:19 PM

A friend of mine told me that his cousin has one of them for sale in mint condition (like new). I am trying to get that. Considering the fact that this lens has got great reviews, could anyone suggest a better price for this? The asking price is close to $400. Is that a fair price?

How is this compared to Tamron 90mm f/2.8? I don't have a problem for manual focus.

-IU

kevindt · 07-08-2008, 08:02 PM

I don't know the current going price for these, but I can tell you what I paid if it helps.
I bought one new-old-stock in the original box with all papers and box, case, unused about 18 months ago from a long-time seller on e-bay who specializes in buying out old stock from closing stores. Mine is a Kiron (serial 22xxxxxxx), Pentax P/K-A mount version. Back then, it was advertised for $250/make an offer, and he accepted my offer of $200 plus shipping. Back then he had about a dozen in all!
It is an absolutely incredible lens, worth every cent. I cannot compare it to the Tamron as I do not have one, but it can resolve to beyond the limit of my K20d sensor and is very flat-field in use, with great color rendering.
If you get one, see if you can find a secondhand Lester Dine ring/point flash, which fits its 52mm filter thread and was designed to work with it. They come up fairly frequently on e-bay. They can be used as a straight thyristor auto gun (with low voltage at the contact) or are pretty easy to modify for multiple switched manual power levels.

k100d · 07-08-2008, 08:07 PM

buyer here is selling for $350, it's exactly the same
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31484-kiron-le...1-1-ratio.html

Fl_Gulfer · 07-08-2008, 08:24 PM

400.00 is what thay have been going for in here. I'd get the Lester A Dine if I didn't already have a Vivitar Series 1 90mm 2.5 Macro.

iunknown · 07-08-2008, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by k100d

buyer here is selling for $350, it's exactly the same
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31484-kiron-le...1-1-ratio.html

I heard that the Vivitar Series 1 105 f/2.5 is made by Kiron. But I am not sure whether the Lester-Dine is the same (The Vivitar labelled one is f/2.5)

I think I am able to get the Vivitar for around $375 from my friend's cousin. As per my friend it is in mint condition (LN) and comes with all user manuals, original packaging etc.

-IU

ricosuave · 07-08-2008, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by iunknown

I heard that the Vivitar Series 1 105 f/2.5 is made by Kiron. But I am not sure whether the Lester-Dine is the same (The Vivitar labelled one is f/2.5)

I think I am able to get the Vivitar for around $375 from my friend's cousin. As per my friend it is in mint condition (LN) and comes with all user manuals, original packaging etc.

-IU

same optics.

Igilligan · 07-08-2008, 10:38 PM

My Series 1 105 is an 'A' lens, but my Series 1 90mm macro is not...

Just don't remember reading if the Lester is an A or an M

NeverSatisfied · 07-08-2008, 11:15 PM

Back in the early 80's I used a Vivitar 90/2.5 Macro on a Nikon F2 film SLR. FWIW that thing was on my camera probably 90 % of the time, absolutely one of the best. Don't remember what I payed for it >then< but considering inflation and its intended use $400 doesn't sound that bad. I paid $399 for my Sigma 70/2.8 Macro this past fall.

ricosuave · 07-09-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by Igilligan

My Series 1 105 is an 'A' lens, but my Series 1 90mm macro is not...

Just don't remember reading if the Lester is an A or an M

the one's i have used were A.

07-08-2008, 07:19 PM	#1
iunknown Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 94	Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 A friend of mine told me that his cousin has one of them for sale in mint condition (like new). I am trying to get that. Considering the fact that this lens has got great reviews, could anyone suggest a better price for this? The asking price is close to $400. Is that a fair price? How is this compared to Tamron 90mm f/2.8? I don't have a problem for manual focus. -IU

07-08-2008, 08:02 PM	#2
kevindt Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 322	re: Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 I don't know the current going price for these, but I can tell you what I paid if it helps. I bought one new-old-stock in the original box with all papers and box, case, unused about 18 months ago from a long-time seller on e-bay who specializes in buying out old stock from closing stores. Mine is a Kiron (serial 22xxxxxxx), Pentax P/K-A mount version. Back then, it was advertised for $250/make an offer, and he accepted my offer of $200 plus shipping. Back then he had about a dozen in all! It is an absolutely incredible lens, worth every cent. I cannot compare it to the Tamron as I do not have one, but it can resolve to beyond the limit of my K20d sensor and is very flat-field in use, with great color rendering. If you get one, see if you can find a secondhand Lester Dine ring/point flash, which fits its 52mm filter thread and was designed to work with it. They come up fairly frequently on e-bay. They can be used as a straight thyristor auto gun (with low voltage at the contact) or are pretty easy to modify for multiple switched manual power levels.

07-08-2008, 10:38 PM	#7
Igilligan Guest	Is the Lester Dine an 'A' lens? My Series 1 105 is an 'A' lens, but my Series 1 90mm macro is not... Just don't remember reading if the Lester is an A or an M

07-08-2008, 11:15 PM	#8
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Great Lens Back in the early 80's I used a Vivitar 90/2.5 Macro on a Nikon F2 film SLR. FWIW that thing was on my camera probably 90 % of the time, absolutely one of the best. Don't remember what I payed for it >then< but considering inflation and its intended use $400 doesn't sound that bad. I paid $399 for my Sigma 70/2.8 Macro this past fall.

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07-08-2008, 08:07 PM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	buyer here is selling for $350, it's exactly the same https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31484-kiron-le...1-1-ratio.html

07-08-2008, 08:24 PM	#4
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	400.00 is what thay have been going for in here. I'd get the Lester A Dine if I didn't already have a Vivitar Series 1 90mm 2.5 Macro.

07-08-2008, 09:17 PM	#5
iunknown Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 94 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d buyer here is selling for $350, it's exactly the same https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31484-kiron-le...1-1-ratio.html I heard that the Vivitar Series 1 105 f/2.5 is made by Kiron. But I am not sure whether the Lester-Dine is the same (The Vivitar labelled one is f/2.5) I think I am able to get the Vivitar for around $375 from my friend's cousin. As per my friend it is in mint condition (LN) and comes with all user manuals, original packaging etc. -IU

07-08-2008, 09:56 PM	#6
ricosuave Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 298	Originally posted by iunknown I heard that the Vivitar Series 1 105 f/2.5 is made by Kiron. But I am not sure whether the Lester-Dine is the same (The Vivitar labelled one is f/2.5) I think I am able to get the Vivitar for around $375 from my friend's cousin. As per my friend it is in mint condition (LN) and comes with all user manuals, original packaging etc. -IU same optics.

07-09-2008, 05:20 PM	#9
ricosuave Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 298	Originally posted by Igilligan My Series 1 105 is an 'A' lens, but my Series 1 90mm macro is not... Just don't remember reading if the Lester is an A or an M the one's i have used were A.