[fwithrow63]

Hello everyone new to the forum and not sure were to post this so if I've posted in the wrong place I apologize in advance.
My k50 suffered the dreaded aperture block and but I can still use my m lenses with it. I have one of my favorite lenses my pentax da 50mm f1.8 which no longer works on my k50, however I have the kit lens that came with my first slr from 1982 a vivitar 50mm f1.8. The first picture is the pentax DA50 on my k10d the second picture is the vivtar 50 on my poor k50. Not a scientific comparison the pics were taken on different days with different cameras but I thought it was interesting. let me know what you think.

---------- Post added 12-16-21 at 09:26 AM ----------

I forgot to mention both lenses were wide open at f1.8

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[pres589]

I think whoever made that Vivitar 50 wasn't messing around. Would be interesting to see how it handles out of focus rendering of more challenging backgrounds. Wonder what the serieal number on that lens is and who made it.

DA 50 1.8 is always a good performer.

[ChristianRock]

The one thing I can tell, is that the light was better on the 2nd shot... not sure what you are trying to show? Bokeh comparison?

[boriscleto]

I think whoever made that Vivitar 50 wasn't messing around. Would be interesting to see how it handles out of focus rendering of more challenging backgrounds. Wonder what the serieal number on that lens is and who made it.

DA 50 1.8 is always a good performer.

The Vivitar is probably a Cosina. They made most of the Vivitar bodies.

[pres589]

I don't know if I'd go with 'probably' when talking about golden-age Vivitar glass and who made what for them. It's probably a Cosina but there's other options out there.

[ChristianRock]

Well it's quite easy to tell... if the serial number starts with 9, it's a Cosina...

[fwithrow63]

the serial number does start with 9 its 90602547 it was the kit lens for a vivitar cv2 slr I got it my softmore year of high shool to get into photography class long story short the camera broke before the next school year but I held onto the lens hoping to get another camera and yes i still use it to this day btw thank you for letting me know who made it

[stevebrot]

Much as I like my DA 50/1.8, I know that it is not in the same league as my M 50/1.7, A 50/1.7, or K 55/1.8. Ditto for my 55/1.8 Takumars.

Competent or even better results from your Vivitar do not surprise me.


Steve

[ChristianRock]

the serial number does start with 9 its 90602547 it was the kit lens for a vivitar cv2 slr I got it my softmore year of high shool to get into photography class long story short the camera broke before the next school year but I held onto the lens hoping to get another camera and yes i still use it to this day btw thank you for letting me know who made it

Until some time in the early 1990s, that was the way to tell the manufacturer of the Vivitar lens. There's information available on it: Vivitar serial numbers - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

Vivitar has always been a pretty good lens manufacturer. Their Voigtlander line is relatively affordable for the great performance lenses that they are.

[boriscleto]

Until some time in the early 1990s, that was the way to tell the manufacturer of the Vivitar lens. There's information available on it: Vivitar serial numbers - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

Vivitar Cosina has always been a pretty good lens manufacturer. Their Voigtlander line is relatively affordable for the great performance lenses that they are.

Fixed it for you...

[kiwi_jono]

There is a big difference in contrast, although may largely be due to different light / time of year at the time.
Bokeh while pretty good on both, but looks smoother on the Cosina shot to me.
Of course I expect the Cosina will probably exhibit worse flare / CA (and maybe sharpness across the frame?) than the DA 50.

For similar reasons I sometimes like shooting with my Super Tak 50 f1.4, as I like the bokeh rendering. Other than the bokeh, it still performs pretty well although is pretty susceptible to flare and a good hood is essential.

[Michail_P]

I like the rendering of the old lens. Enough quality to admire.

[fwithrow63]

I think whoever made that Vivitar 50 wasn't messing around. Would be interesting to see how it handles out of focus rendering of more challenging backgrounds. Wonder what the serieal number on that lens is and who made it.

DA 50 1.8 is always a good performer.

Here is another pic taken with the k50 vivitar/cosina 50 combo again lens was at f1.8 very sharp imho with to me anyway a nice bokeh but please let me know what you think

[niels hansen]

Much as I like my DA 50/1.8, I know that it is not in the same league as my M 50/1.7, A 50/1.7, or K 55/1.8. Ditto for my 55/1.8 Takumars.

Competent or even better results from your Vivitar do not surprise me.


Steve

just to ve sure Does this mean that a m42 1,8 55mm is better than DA 50/1,8
regards