Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 series 1 from BH.

vitalsax · 03-19-2009, 11:01 AM

Anybody using this lens? not samyang or polar!

Last edited by vitalsax; 03-19-2009 at 11:06 AM.

omega leader · 03-19-2009, 11:09 AM

The Vivitar is a rebrand of the other lenses, as is Polar I believe.

vitalsax · 03-19-2009, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by omega leader

The Vivitar is a rebrand of the other lenses, as is Polar I believe.

i believe too, but i wanna know who has this one from BH.

Sila · 03-19-2009, 01:46 PM

The Vivitar got a red line and a different rubber focus ring.... Otherwise they are the same...

Why is it important that it is from BH?

Igilligan · 03-19-2009, 02:01 PM

Because we want to buy it if someone has it and says it is great!!!

Buddha Jones · 03-19-2009, 02:55 PM

NOTE: Vivitar, make this AF and SDM at that...

ryan s · 03-19-2009, 03:38 PM

They are just re-labled...what difference does it make what they look like on the outside?

Well...Vivitar impressions from Gene...

Manual Focus Forum / B&H Vivitar 85/1.4
Vivitar 85/1.4 - first impressions - Canon Digital Photography Forums

vitalsax · 03-19-2009, 05:27 PM

Thank's Ryan that's a great read cuz it seems nobody in here has it yet.

blende8 · 03-20-2009, 02:31 AM

Here are the test images of the Vivitar against other lenses:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=654126&page=5

The circles of confusion look like there is an aspherical lens included?
Not so nice.
Perhaps Silas can comment on this? Does the Polar show this, too?

Sila · 03-20-2009, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by blende8

Here are the test images of the Vivitar against other lenses:

Vivitar 85/1.4 - first impressions - Page 5 - Canon Digital Photography Forums

The circles of confusion look like there is an aspherical lens included?
Not so nice.
Perhaps Silas can comment on this? Does the Polar show this, too?

Yes it does....

Look here:

pcarfan · 03-30-2009, 05:26 PM

Just bought the vivitar 85mm f1.4...will post some pictures as soon as I get it.

Igilligan · 03-30-2009, 11:36 PM

I cant wait...

K100Dave · 03-31-2009, 11:29 AM

This lens looks very promising

pcarfan · 04-03-2009, 05:29 PM

Well I got mine late afternoon. I haven't gone out yet, so no images.

The lens hood is kind of weak but IMO acceptable. The lens built is very good.

When the focus is spot on, the images are divine at all focal lengths, however only a fraction of my shots are in focus

I am using stock screen, and for the life of me unable to get consistent focus at anything faster than f2.8. But, when correct, it isolates the subject so well and bokeh is stunning. At close distances the foreground bokeh can get a bit nervous. At close distances, wide open using flash creates PF, otherwise IMO (CA never bothered me) PF is fine.

However, it is really frustrating to not get the focus correct with so many shots....if i cannot improve on this, it will be off to the marketplace and I will have to get the Pentax FA77/1.8.

I will post some snapshots if I can get out and shoot tomorrow.

P.S: Well tried it again and again, and MF is not for me. May be 1/5 images are in focus...I'll be putting this on the market soon. I wonder whether the indoor lights is playing tricks....any how, if I can't use this lens indoors then it has to go ?

It's a good thing I learned this with this lens and not a Zeiss as that would have been a costly mistake....my dream of owning the VL 125/2.5 is gone...watch for the market if you want to save some money.

jsherman999 · 04-03-2009, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

Well I got mine late afternoon. I haven't gone out yet, so no images.

The lens hood is kind of weak but IMO acceptable. The lens built is very good.

When the focus is spot on, the images are divine at all focal lengths, however only a fraction of my shots are in focus

I am using stock screen, and for the life of me unable to get consistent focus at anything faster than f2.8. But, when correct, it isolates the subject so well and bokeh is stunning. At close distances the foreground bokeh can get a bit nervous. At close distances, wide open using flash creates PF, otherwise IMO (CA never bothered me) PF is fine.

However, it is really frustrating to not get the focus correct with so many shots....if i cannot improve on this, it will be off to the marketplace and I will have to get the Pentax FA77/1.8.

I will post some snapshots if I can get out and shoot tomorrow.

P.S: Well tried it again and again, and MF is not for me. May be 1/5 images are in focus...I'll be putting this on the market soon. I wonder whether the indoor lights is playing tricks....any how, if I can't use this lens indoors then it has to go ?

It's a good thing I learned this with this lens and not a Zeiss as that would have been a costly mistake....my dream of owning the VL 125/2.5 is gone...watch for the market if you want to save some money.

Are you using the focus indicator light in the viewfinder?

Try some focus bracketing - focus fast until you see the red focus light, slow down, snap right when you see the first appearance of the green hexagon, focus all the way through to the 'end' of it's appearance, snap, focus back to about midway through it's appearance, snap. Do that several times, and find which images are spot-on sharp - after you determine that, you can always just shoot at that point in the green hexagon appearance.

Hopefully I described it OK...

.

03-19-2009, 11:01 AM	#1
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 series 1 from BH. Anybody using this lens? not samyang or polar! Last edited by vitalsax; 03-19-2009 at 11:06 AM.

03-19-2009, 11:09 AM	#2
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Rebrand The Vivitar is a rebrand of the other lenses, as is Polar I believe.

04-03-2009, 05:29 PM	#14
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Well I got mine late afternoon. I haven't gone out yet, so no images. The lens hood is kind of weak but IMO acceptable. The lens built is very good. When the focus is spot on, the images are divine at all focal lengths, however only a fraction of my shots are in focus I am using stock screen, and for the life of me unable to get consistent focus at anything faster than f2.8. But, when correct, it isolates the subject so well and bokeh is stunning. At close distances the foreground bokeh can get a bit nervous. At close distances, wide open using flash creates PF, otherwise IMO (CA never bothered me) PF is fine. However, it is really frustrating to not get the focus correct with so many shots....if i cannot improve on this, it will be off to the marketplace and I will have to get the Pentax FA77/1.8. I will post some snapshots if I can get out and shoot tomorrow. P.S: Well tried it again and again, and MF is not for me. May be 1/5 images are in focus...I'll be putting this on the market soon. I wonder whether the indoor lights is playing tricks....any how, if I can't use this lens indoors then it has to go ? It's a good thing I learned this with this lens and not a Zeiss as that would have been a costly mistake....my dream of owning the VL 125/2.5 is gone...watch for the market if you want to save some money. Last edited by pcarfan; 04-03-2009 at 06:51 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f2.8 fast Zoom (Worldwide)	rajubhai55	Sold Items	4	05-23-2010 11:41 PM
For Sale - Sold: Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 Series 1 Manual Focus	pcarfan	Sold Items	10	05-06-2009 01:00 PM
For Sale - Sold: Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 Series 1 Manual Focus	pcarfan	Sold Items	7	04-04-2009 04:49 PM

03-19-2009, 11:17 AM	#3
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208 Original Poster	Originally posted by omega leader The Vivitar is a rebrand of the other lenses, as is Polar I believe. i believe too, but i wanna know who has this one from BH.

03-19-2009, 01:46 PM	#4
Sila Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 97	The Vivitar got a red line and a different rubber focus ring.... Otherwise they are the same... Why is it important that it is from BH?

03-19-2009, 02:01 PM	#5
Igilligan Guest	Because we want to buy it if someone has it and says it is great!!!

03-19-2009, 02:55 PM	#6
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	NOTE: Vivitar, make this AF and SDM at that...

03-19-2009, 03:38 PM	#7
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	They are just re-labled...what difference does it make what they look like on the outside? Well...Vivitar impressions from Gene... Manual Focus Forum / B&H Vivitar 85/1.4 Vivitar 85/1.4 - first impressions - Canon Digital Photography Forums

03-19-2009, 05:27 PM	#8
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208 Original Poster	Thank's Ryan that's a great read cuz it seems nobody in here has it yet.

03-20-2009, 02:31 AM	#9
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Here are the test images of the Vivitar against other lenses: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=654126&page=5 The circles of confusion look like there is an aspherical lens included? Not so nice. Perhaps Silas can comment on this? Does the Polar show this, too?

03-20-2009, 06:43 AM	#10
Sila Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 97	Originally posted by blende8 Here are the test images of the Vivitar against other lenses: Vivitar 85/1.4 - first impressions - Page 5 - Canon Digital Photography Forums The circles of confusion look like there is an aspherical lens included? Not so nice. Perhaps Silas can comment on this? Does the Polar show this, too? Yes it does.... Look here:

03-30-2009, 05:26 PM	#11
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Just bought the vivitar 85mm f1.4...will post some pictures as soon as I get it.

03-31-2009, 11:29 AM	#13
K100Dave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 111	This lens looks very promising

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-03-2009, 07:07 PM	#15
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by pcarfan Well I got mine late afternoon. I haven't gone out yet, so no images. The lens hood is kind of weak but IMO acceptable. The lens built is very good. When the focus is spot on, the images are divine at all focal lengths, however only a fraction of my shots are in focus I am using stock screen, and for the life of me unable to get consistent focus at anything faster than f2.8. But, when correct, it isolates the subject so well and bokeh is stunning. At close distances the foreground bokeh can get a bit nervous. At close distances, wide open using flash creates PF, otherwise IMO (CA never bothered me) PF is fine. However, it is really frustrating to not get the focus correct with so many shots....if i cannot improve on this, it will be off to the marketplace and I will have to get the Pentax FA77/1.8. I will post some snapshots if I can get out and shoot tomorrow. P.S: Well tried it again and again, and MF is not for me. May be 1/5 images are in focus...I'll be putting this on the market soon. I wonder whether the indoor lights is playing tricks....any how, if I can't use this lens indoors then it has to go ? It's a good thing I learned this with this lens and not a Zeiss as that would have been a costly mistake....my dream of owning the VL 125/2.5 is gone...watch for the market if you want to save some money. Are you using the focus indicator light in the viewfinder? Try some focus bracketing - focus fast until you see the red focus light, slow down, snap right when you see the first appearance of the green hexagon, focus all the way through to the 'end' of it's appearance, snap, focus back to about midway through it's appearance, snap. Do that several times, and find which images are spot-on sharp - after you determine that, you can always just shoot at that point in the green hexagon appearance. Hopefully I described it OK... .