The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary

Laurentiu Cristofor · 11-16-2009, 04:10 PM

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Thanks, Steve.

I posted in the off-brand thread.

BobD2 · 01-04-2010, 06:09 PM

Well it was my lucky day I guess. I responded to a posting on Craig's List for a Pentax ME Super with 2 lenses - a 50mm and a Vivitar 28mm... it turned out to be the A02 variety! Looks like a winner so far. I'll have to test it more tomorrow in the daylight.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-04-2010, 06:52 PM

I just happened onto essentually a K13 varient. but it is not vivitar,, but Kiron, in MD mount that I have converted into a preset K mount using a flanged adaptor.

I was able to take enough spacers out, and with the thin (0.8mm) flange of the adaptor achieve infinity focus.

Funny thing though, the flanged adaptor at $8.5 including shipping represents more than 60% of the total expenditure

**rparmar** · 01-05-2010, 10:33 AM

Nice finds! Happy New Years Shooting!

deadwolfbones · 01-12-2010, 08:02 AM

Hi guys!

I just scored the "A" version of the K02 on eBay, so my non-A version will be up for sale shortly. If anyone's interested ahead of me actually listing it, let me know via PM.

deadwolfbones · 01-12-2010, 08:04 AM

Btw... the markings on the "A" version don't correspond to any of the "A" versions listed in the bestiary... it's a f/2.8 Close Focus, but there's no "SMS" on the bezel.

wowtip · 01-12-2010, 12:40 PM

I did just see an A-version go for £70 ($113) on UK Eekbay. I think these threads are driving up the prices a bit.

Optical Illusion · 01-12-2010, 01:11 PM

I gave up on trying to get a close focus version of this... I ended up buying a Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm. I'm hoping this will be similar to the Vivitar Close Focus... any comparisons?

By the way, in my first tests against the 18-55mm kit lens, I'm kind of disappointed in a supposedly "macro"/close focusing 28mm.... the kit lens seems to focus just as close and zoomed in to 55mm you get a pretty good close up!

So, maybe the Sigma or one of these Vivitars would be sharper than the kit, but right now I'm not seeing a huge advantage... One nice thing about the Sigma Mini Wide II is that it's got the "A" setting - it's my first lens with that.

Blue · 01-12-2010, 03:19 PM

I added this thread to the Lens Club Index "sticky."

**rparmar** · 01-12-2010, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Btw... the markings on the "A" version don't correspond to any of the "A" versions listed in the bestiary... it's a f/2.8 Close Focus, but there's no "SMS" on the bezel.

Could you send on the complete inscription? And better yet a picture of both the front of the lens and the barrel? Then I can update the Bestiary. Thanks.

Oh, and congrats on the score!

deadwolfbones · 01-12-2010, 10:51 PM

Robin:

The markings are "Vivitar / 28mm 1:2.8 / MC / CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE / NO. 28XXXXXX / Ø49MM". Identical to the K02, so this one should probably really be A02.

You can see the images here: VIVITAR 28MM F2.8 CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE W/PENTAX P/K-A - eBay (item 220539230284 end time Jan-11-10 19:14:59 PST)

BobD2 · 01-13-2010, 05:51 AM

Hi Robin ~ I think I too have a variety of Vivitar 28mm that isn't on your site - and it's a good one too. Interestingly, it doesn't say Close Focus anywhere, yet focuses down to 0.23 meters just like the A02 lens I also own. In comparison shots I recently took, I would say it performs as well or perhaps even a smidge better than my copy of the A02 lens. Here's what it says on the front:

Vivitar / RL EDITION (in blue lettering) / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM

The serial number is on the aperture ring opposite the aperture numbers and reads:

PK-A/R-PK97011618

Here's a direct link to the other post where I show photos of the lens:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/867366-post370.html

jsherman999 · 01-13-2010, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by BobD2

Hi Robin ~ I think I too have a variety of Vivitar 28mm that isn't on your site - and it's a good one too. Interestingly, it doesn't say Close Focus anywhere, yet focuses down to 0.23 meters just like the A02 lens I also own. In comparison shots I recently took, I would say it performs as well or perhaps even a smidge better than my copy of the A02 lens. Here's what it says on the front:

Vivitar / RL EDITION (in blue lettering) / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM

The serial number is on the aperture ring opposite the aperture numbers and reads:

PK-A/R-PK97011618

Here's a direct link to the other post where I show photos of the lens:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/867366-post370.html

I think that baby holds a Ricoh pin, waiting to attach to your mount like a vampire. Beware.

**rparmar** · 01-13-2010, 12:33 PM

BobD2: I saw your pictures and description in the "other thread" -- thanks.

I will try to update the list soon. Eventually it will have illustrations as well, but things always get in the way of doing that.

**rparmar** · 01-18-2010, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

The markings are "Vivitar / 28mm 1:2.8 / MC / CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE / NO. 28XXXXXX / Ø49MM". Identical to the K02, so this one should probably really be A02.

Sorry for the delay but I'm just updating the list today. I think your variant is already in the Bestiary, as A03.

01-04-2010, 06:09 PM	#62
BobD2 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 32	Well it was my lucky day I guess. I responded to a posting on Craig's List for a Pentax ME Super with 2 lenses - a 50mm and a Vivitar 28mm... it turned out to be the A02 variety! Looks like a winner so far. I'll have to test it more tomorrow in the daylight. Last edited by BobD2; 01-04-2010 at 06:10 PM. Reason: just wanted to subscribe to the thread

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11-16-2009, 04:10 PM	#61
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Thanks, Steve. I posted in the off-brand thread.

01-04-2010, 06:52 PM	#63
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	I just happened onto essentually a K13 varient. but it is not vivitar,, but Kiron, in MD mount that I have converted into a preset K mount using a flanged adaptor. I was able to take enough spacers out, and with the thin (0.8mm) flange of the adaptor achieve infinity focus. Funny thing though, the flanged adaptor at $8.5 including shipping represents more than 60% of the total expenditure

01-05-2010, 10:33 AM	#64
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Nice finds! Happy New Years Shooting!

01-12-2010, 08:02 AM	#65
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Hi guys! I just scored the "A" version of the K02 on eBay, so my non-A version will be up for sale shortly. If anyone's interested ahead of me actually listing it, let me know via PM.

01-12-2010, 08:04 AM	#66
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Btw... the markings on the "A" version don't correspond to any of the "A" versions listed in the bestiary... it's a f/2.8 Close Focus, but there's no "SMS" on the bezel.

01-12-2010, 12:40 PM	#67
wowtip Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West coast Photos: Gallery Posts: 261	I did just see an A-version go for £70 ($113) on UK Eekbay. I think these threads are driving up the prices a bit.

01-12-2010, 01:11 PM	#68
Optical Illusion Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kern County California Photos: Albums Posts: 70	I gave up on trying to get a close focus version of this... I ended up buying a Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm. I'm hoping this will be similar to the Vivitar Close Focus... any comparisons? By the way, in my first tests against the 18-55mm kit lens, I'm kind of disappointed in a supposedly "macro"/close focusing 28mm.... the kit lens seems to focus just as close and zoomed in to 55mm you get a pretty good close up! So, maybe the Sigma or one of these Vivitars would be sharper than the kit, but right now I'm not seeing a huge advantage... One nice thing about the Sigma Mini Wide II is that it's got the "A" setting - it's my first lens with that.

01-12-2010, 03:19 PM	#69
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I added this thread to the Lens Club Index "sticky."

01-12-2010, 08:57 PM	#70
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Btw... the markings on the "A" version don't correspond to any of the "A" versions listed in the bestiary... it's a f/2.8 Close Focus, but there's no "SMS" on the bezel. Could you send on the complete inscription? And better yet a picture of both the front of the lens and the barrel? Then I can update the Bestiary. Thanks. Oh, and congrats on the score!

01-12-2010, 10:51 PM	#71
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Robin: The markings are "Vivitar / 28mm 1:2.8 / MC / CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE / NO. 28XXXXXX / Ø49MM". Identical to the K02, so this one should probably really be A02. You can see the images here: VIVITAR 28MM F2.8 CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE W/PENTAX P/K-A - eBay (item 220539230284 end time Jan-11-10 19:14:59 PST)

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01-13-2010, 05:51 AM	#72
BobD2 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 32	Hi Robin ~ I think I too have a variety of Vivitar 28mm that isn't on your site - and it's a good one too. Interestingly, it doesn't say Close Focus anywhere, yet focuses down to 0.23 meters just like the A02 lens I also own. In comparison shots I recently took, I would say it performs as well or perhaps even a smidge better than my copy of the A02 lens. Here's what it says on the front: Vivitar / RL EDITION (in blue lettering) / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM The serial number is on the aperture ring opposite the aperture numbers and reads: PK-A/R-PK97011618 Here's a direct link to the other post where I show photos of the lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/867366-post370.html

01-13-2010, 09:49 AM	#73
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by BobD2 Hi Robin ~ I think I too have a variety of Vivitar 28mm that isn't on your site - and it's a good one too. Interestingly, it doesn't say Close Focus anywhere, yet focuses down to 0.23 meters just like the A02 lens I also own. In comparison shots I recently took, I would say it performs as well or perhaps even a smidge better than my copy of the A02 lens. Here's what it says on the front: Vivitar / RL EDITION (in blue lettering) / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM The serial number is on the aperture ring opposite the aperture numbers and reads: PK-A/R-PK97011618 Here's a direct link to the other post where I show photos of the lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/867366-post370.html I think that baby holds a Ricoh pin, waiting to attach to your mount like a vampire. Beware.

01-13-2010, 12:33 PM	#74
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	BobD2: I saw your pictures and description in the "other thread" -- thanks. I will try to update the list soon. Eventually it will have illustrations as well, but things always get in the way of doing that.

01-18-2010, 02:19 PM	#75
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by deadwolfbones The markings are "Vivitar / 28mm 1:2.8 / MC / CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE / NO. 28XXXXXX / Ø49MM". Identical to the K02, so this one should probably really be A02. Sorry for the delay but I'm just updating the list today. I think your variant is already in the Bestiary, as A03.