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11-02-2018, 02:49 AM   #1
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Vivitar S1 70-210 f2.8-4 vs Tamron 70-210 f3.8-f4

Hi there,

I am looking for a short telezoom for my K3 for casual walk around use, I used the Tamron long time ago but never tried the Vivitar, can anyone give me an idea how they compare, thanks a lot !

11-02-2018, 06:28 AM - 1 Like   #2
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A lot of people like the SMC-M 75-150mm f4. Very small for a tele so it's convenient for walking around and the IQ is very good. Another small and light option which also has very good optics for the era is the SMC-F 70-210mm f/4-5.6. It has the added bonus of having AF and should not cost more than the Vivitar S1 you mentioned. The Vivitar, of course is faster.

I have three teles around that range...
. SMC-A 70-210mm f4 - that is my tele of choice. Yes it's a bit on the heavy side but I think the pictures are worth it.
. Craigs 60-300mm f/4-5.6 - usually found under the Soligor and Cosina names. There is also a Tokina version eems to have the same optics but mine as far as I know is a Cosina. This is a great lens, on par with my A 70-210 IQ wise for sure. I just like the A better because of the Pentax colors and I think the Pentax has more contrast so it's easier to focus.
. Tamron AF 70-300 LD DI f/4-5.6. From 70-200mm it's a great f/4-4.5 lens. Over 200mm it's only good for web use and small prints. Exposure sometimes is all over the place but it's my AF tele so it does get some use. It's also lighter than the SMC-A 70-210mm (and likely lighter than both lenses you are considering).

Then there's the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 which I haven't used personally but a lot of people seem to like it. You can find older versions in the 100 dollar range so about the same or less than you'd pay for the Vivitar. The new PLM version is quite better but of course quite a bit more expensive as well, and slower.
11-02-2018, 07:01 AM   #3
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Thanks for the info., I own the HD 55-300 and it is very sharp, I used it quite heavily and it started to fail the zoom and focusing is stiff and noisy, I wouldn't go for the PLM coz it is even slower, but I am interested in the 60-300 you mentioned. AF is a bonus but as long as the lens not slower than f4 MF wouldn't be too hard. I am considering the Vivitar S1 70-210 f2.8-4, the SMC f4, the 60-300, or may go up to next level the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 all depends on availability and cost. I set the lower limit to 200mm @f4 coz I will shoot some low night and want some close up ability, and don't want to crank up to over ISO 3200 that the K3 started to struggle, and I will also use the lens with my Super A, so considering all factor I will need a semi vintage lens ...
11-02-2018, 11:54 AM - 1 Like   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by lotech Quote
I used the Tamron long time ago but never tried the Vivitar, can anyone give me an idea how they compare, thanks a lot !
The comparable Tamron version would be the Tamron SP 70-210/3.5 (19AH). The Adaptall-2 Web site has Modern Photography test results for that lens that may be compared to the SP1 results on Mark Roberts' site:

Tamron SP Adaptall-2 70-210mm F/3.5 Model 19AH

Vivitar 70-210 Series 1 Macro Zoom Lenses - Mark Roberts Photography

I don't own the S1, but a clue as to how I feel about my 19AH might be that my Pentax-A 70-210/4 is in the bag and the SP is on the shelf...180 grams lighter. BTW, the SP is actually an f/4 lens.


Steve

11-02-2018, 12:33 PM   #5
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Wow the Tamron not only blows away the Vivitar it also blows me away, coz the Vivitar page said “Sorry, you are not permitted to access this material” ! I know it is a dumb question to ask too late ha !
11-02-2018, 12:56 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by lotech Quote
“Sorry, you are not permitted to access this material”
Well, that is strange. I wonder why you should be denied? Were you able to view the content?


Steve
11-02-2018, 01:21 PM   #7
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I can only access the Tamron page.
QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Well, that is strange. I wonder why you should be denied? Were you able to view the content?


Steve


11-02-2018, 02:15 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by lotech Quote
I can only access the Tamron page.
Hmmm...the Great FireWall of China?


Steve
11-02-2018, 06:38 PM   #9
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They don't like Vivitar XD
You may not see this page.

Spammers who've tried to spam this web site's blog or message board (forum)

I am not on the list, and I already have enough info. to make decision anyway thank guy !

QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Hmmm...the Great FireWall of China?


Steve
11-06-2018, 01:42 AM   #10
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I had a lot of the lenses mentioned above.....

The Vivitar S1 is quite a lot heavier than the Tamron 3.8-4/70-210.
There is an older Version of this lens:
3.8-4/80-210
It has a better reputation for optical qualitiy but is heavier. I never had this lens in Hands - only read about it.

I found the 3.8-4/70-210 to be handled very good.
Smooth, light weighted, short minimum focus distance - but contrast a bit low when wide opened.
The S1 though has the same problems ....
When you find the Tamron - take care that you have the hood too.

The Tamron 3,5/70-210 is different beast:
much longer with true macro capabilities.
Wide opened not THAT good (there I prefer the Pentax A 4.0 or - if weight isn't an issue - a 2.8-tele zoom: at 4.0 - will say: stopped down 1 f-stop - they will perform very well!)
The 3.5 producing different colours!
If you can test one you may notice and decide wether you like them or not.
Much colder ....
When I had this lens I thought it may replace my 2.8 tele zoom for indoor sports .... but it didn't.
On the other hand: I know of some very good results with it for macro and portrait work.

One other recommendation from me (quite seldom though)
Sigma APO 50-200 or 70-210
True APO lenses and very good build quality.
The 70-210 APO out performed the Pentax A 4.0 in my testing....

If you are looking for a true small and light weight tele zoom:
Pentax 50-200!
Yes - with AF and stopped down by 1 f-stop it performs good!
... and I doubt you'll find anything smaller with 200 mm!
11-06-2018, 04:34 AM   #11
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Thank for the tips, do you have the link for the Sigma APO ?

QuoteOriginally posted by pleo Quote
I had a lot of the lenses mentioned above.....

The Vivitar S1 is quite a lot heavier than the Tamron 3.8-4/70-210.
There is an older Version of this lens:
3.8-4/80-210
It has a better reputation for optical qualitiy but is heavier. I never had this lens in Hands - only read about it.

I found the 3.8-4/70-210 to be handled very good.
Smooth, light weighted, short minimum focus distance - but contrast a bit low when wide opened.
The S1 though has the same problems ....
When you find the Tamron - take care that you have the hood too.

The Tamron 3,5/70-210 is different beast:
much longer with true macro capabilities.
Wide opened not THAT good (there I prefer the Pentax A 4.0 or - if weight isn't an issue - a 2.8-tele zoom: at 4.0 - will say: stopped down 1 f-stop - they will perform very well!)
The 3.5 producing different colours!
If you can test one you may notice and decide wether you like them or not.
Much colder ....
When I had this lens I thought it may replace my 2.8 tele zoom for indoor sports .... but it didn't.
On the other hand: I know of some very good results with it for macro and portrait work.

One other recommendation from me (quite seldom though)
Sigma APO 50-200 or 70-210
True APO lenses and very good build quality.
The 70-210 APO out performed the Pentax A 4.0 in my testing....

If you are looking for a true small and light weight tele zoom:
Pentax 50-200!
Yes - with AF and stopped down by 1 f-stop it performs good!
... and I doubt you'll find anything smaller with 200 mm!
11-06-2018, 10:56 AM   #12
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At the time of the Vivitar Series 1 2.8-4/70-210, one would usually look at the Sigma APO 3.5-4.5/70-200 as the best (affordable) tele zoom. Vivitar was less expensive and offered 1/2 stop more light. There also was a 2.8-3.5 from Sigma (75-200). Not as good as the APO.
I had the Vivitar at that time in combination with the 28-105 S1. The tele was quite a decent lens, brass heavy, warm colors. It fell apart one time and was stolen before I got it repaired...
I would look for the Sigma APO if you can find on.
On the other hand, used Tamron 2.8/70-200 moden AF lens can be had for quite little dolares in used.
11-12-2018, 04:34 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by lotech Quote
Thank for the tips, do you have the link for the Sigma APO ?
No, but I have an old lens test from german 'photomagazin' and I have made my own testings.
If you can find one:
take in Hands, handle it - I'm quite shure, you'll buy it!
(if not too pricy)

The AF-Version is not built the same way and - perhaps because of less tight fixing of the lenses due to AF - optically not exactly the same class even though the constuction should be identical.

The 50-200 was (one of) the first APO-lens(es) by Sigma and for the Prices in those days (80's) very pricy for a brand like Sigma.
(Their reputation wasn't that high as it's nowadays.)
Therefore these manual focus APO-lenses from Sigma are not to be found that often....
11-12-2018, 11:39 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by pleo Quote
(Their reputation wasn't that high as it's nowadays.)
That is an understatement.


Steve
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