The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary

**rparmar** · 04-06-2009, 09:21 AM

The thread Vivitar 28mm As FA31mm Replacement? is now 8 months old and 230 posts long. What started as a casual interest in some great lenses turned into a personal challenge: catalogue all known variants. Well, it turns out that there are over 30 of them, and the ongoing numbering attempts have perhaps confused some.

So I recently produced a master catalogue, The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary, and gave it a permanent home on the web. I have been encouraged to announce it here, and I guess that makes sense for those not following an old thread.

In the future I will update the catalogue with pictures of the lenses and further info. My aim is to share everything I have, just as others have collectively shared their information. I do hope this helps anyone interested in these excellent third-party lenses.

Vivitar sure were busy little bees, huh?

indytax · 04-06-2009, 10:27 AM

Thanks for doing this. Perhaps this should be made a sticky or the link put in the links section. I've been following the old thread, but it was getting very difficult to find what I was looking for at any given time.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-06-2009, 10:52 AM

I have the "M14" varient

my copy has a 62mm filter

cost me all of $10 for the lens, plus $3 for a skylight Hoya $3 for a CPL also hoya, and $3 for a lens cap.

just for fun, have you looked at adding this to the third party lens database, and your reviews for the one you own?

I think I put my copy there

ryan s · 04-06-2009, 11:16 AM

Wow...that's a lot of variants for a 28mm lens...

Nice though...now we have a master list of which was made by who.

**rparmar** · 04-06-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

just for fun, have you looked at adding this to the third party lens database, and your reviews for the one you own?

I updated the reviews I had there, with a link. But I don't think putting 30 different lenses in is likely that useful for anyone... maybe far too confusing. And it'd be a lot of work!

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I have the "M14" varient

my copy has a 62mm filter

Thanks for the info! It'll be in the next update.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-06-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

I updated the reviews I had there, with a link. But I don't think putting 30 different lenses in is likely that useful for anyone... maybe far too confusing. And it'd be a lot of work!

Thanks for the info! It'll be in the next update.

now for the next challenge. how many elements, groups and dimensions of all of them

. Just kidding

stevebrot · 04-06-2009, 01:39 PM

Have you ever thought of broadening the "bestiary" to include all Vivitar lenses? I have M42 versions of the 135/2.8 and 200/3.5 (both Komine) and have noted that there is a fair amount of confusion regarding what Vivitar lenses are equivalent in those focal lengths.

Steve

**rparmar** · 04-06-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Have you ever thought of broadening the "bestiary" to include all Vivitar lenses?

I have thought about it once or twice, but then I slapped myself back into reality.

Thirty lenses are enough for me to keep track of... for now anyway!

RioRico · 04-06-2009, 02:07 PM

I apparently own a T93 beast. (It's not with me on this trip.) I have it marked in my database as made by Tokina, and the aperture ring is hard to turn. Macro focus, 58mm filter, weight 260g, # 3718742, cost me a total of US$17.45, and I'll probably sell it 'cause I have 7 other 28s (all f/2.8) without such stiff rings.

jsherman999 · 04-06-2009, 04:42 PM

For those wondering "what the heck?", the Vivitar 28mm lenses are almost all worthwhile purchases, and several of them are stunners. The sharpness and contrast these little cheapies put out constantly have me on the lookout for them - extremely fun to collect and shoot.

casualcollector · 04-07-2009, 03:56 AM

Good work, Robin! I inventoried my stuff earlier this week and took a look at my 28mm T4 lenses. These were the TX predecessor. I have three, one Soligor and two Vivitar and all tree have different minimum focus! The Soligor is marked at 1 foot, Vivitar 372xxxx goes to 0.8 foot and Viv 378xxxxxx stops at 1.5 foot. Yes, the last one really as a nine digit serial!

Bill

**rparmar** · 04-07-2009, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by casualcollector

Vivitar 372xxxx goes to 0.8 foot and Viv 378xxxxxx stops at 1.5 foot. Yes, the last one really as a nine digit serial!

Which are these from this list?
T91 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.5 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxx / Ø58mm"
T92 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxxx / Ø52mm"
T93 "Vivitar / WIDE-ANGLE / 28mm 1:2.8 / No. 37xxxxx / Auto" [58mm]

casualcollector · 04-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Which are these from this list?
T91 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.5 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxx / Ø58mm"
T92 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxxx / Ø52mm"
T93 "Vivitar / WIDE-ANGLE / 28mm 1:2.8 / No. 37xxxxx / Auto" [58mm]

Should be T93. 2.8 aperture and 58mm filter.

**rparmar** · 04-07-2009, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by casualcollector

Should be T93. 2.8 aperture and 58mm filter.

So is that the 0.8 foot or the 1.5 foot one?

casualcollector · 04-07-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

So is that the 0.8 foot or the 1.5 foot one?

I'll try to get some images in the near future. The three lenses are really the same. The Soligor is flashier than the Vivitars with its silver aperture ring but all use T4 mounts and have 58mm filter ring. The style of the engraving of the two Vivitars is a bit different but they are probably a few years apart, age wise.

04-06-2009, 09:21 AM	#1
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary The thread Vivitar 28mm As FA31mm Replacement? is now 8 months old and 230 posts long. What started as a casual interest in some great lenses turned into a personal challenge: catalogue all known variants. Well, it turns out that there are over 30 of them, and the ongoing numbering attempts have perhaps confused some. So I recently produced a master catalogue, The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary, and gave it a permanent home on the web. I have been encouraged to announce it here, and I guess that makes sense for those not following an old thread. In the future I will update the catalogue with pictures of the lenses and further info. My aim is to share everything I have, just as others have collectively shared their information. I do hope this helps anyone interested in these excellent third-party lenses. Vivitar sure were busy little bees, huh?

04-06-2009, 01:17 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by rparmar I updated the reviews I had there, with a link. But I don't think putting 30 different lenses in is likely that useful for anyone... maybe far too confusing. And it'd be a lot of work! Thanks for the info! It'll be in the next update. now for the next challenge. how many elements, groups and dimensions of all of them. Just kidding

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Vivitar 28mm/2.8 CF (K02) vs. Tamron 28mm/2.5 (02B)	stevebrot	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	32	07-06-2013 10:42 AM
Vivitar 24mm/2.8 vs Vivitar 28mm/2.5	josephleaf	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	07-19-2010 04:13 PM
For Sale - Sold: Great Kiron Made: Vivitar Series 1 Mk1 70-210mm Macro f3.5 (Worldwide)	cps_goodbuy	Sold Items	7	05-17-2010 04:58 AM
For Sale - Sold: Great condition Super Takumar 6 lenses collection 28mm to 135mm	winglik	Sold Items	1	06-08-2009 09:18 AM
For Sale - Sold: F 28 f/2.8, K 55 1.8, Vivitar 28mm WA, Vivitar 55 2.8 1-1 Macro, A 50 1.7, A 5	jsherman999	Sold Items	23	07-09-2008 07:55 PM

04-06-2009, 10:27 AM	#2
indytax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Thanks for doing this. Perhaps this should be made a sticky or the link put in the links section. I've been following the old thread, but it was getting very difficult to find what I was looking for at any given time.

04-06-2009, 10:52 AM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	I have the "M14" varient my copy has a 62mm filter cost me all of $10 for the lens, plus $3 for a skylight Hoya $3 for a CPL also hoya, and $3 for a lens cap. just for fun, have you looked at adding this to the third party lens database, and your reviews for the one you own? I think I put my copy there

04-06-2009, 11:16 AM	#4
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Wow...that's a lot of variants for a 28mm lens... Nice though...now we have a master list of which was made by who.

04-06-2009, 12:20 PM	#5
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge just for fun, have you looked at adding this to the third party lens database, and your reviews for the one you own? I updated the reviews I had there, with a link. But I don't think putting 30 different lenses in is likely that useful for anyone... maybe far too confusing. And it'd be a lot of work! Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I have the "M14" varient my copy has a 62mm filter Thanks for the info! It'll be in the next update.

04-06-2009, 01:39 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Have you ever thought of broadening the "bestiary" to include all Vivitar lenses? I have M42 versions of the 135/2.8 and 200/3.5 (both Komine) and have noted that there is a fair amount of confusion regarding what Vivitar lenses are equivalent in those focal lengths. Steve

04-06-2009, 01:52 PM	#8
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Have you ever thought of broadening the "bestiary" to include all Vivitar lenses? I have thought about it once or twice, but then I slapped myself back into reality. Thirty lenses are enough for me to keep track of... for now anyway!

04-06-2009, 02:07 PM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I apparently own a T93 beast. (It's not with me on this trip.) I have it marked in my database as made by Tokina, and the aperture ring is hard to turn. Macro focus, 58mm filter, weight 260g, # 3718742, cost me a total of US$17.45, and I'll probably sell it 'cause I have 7 other 28s (all f/2.8) without such stiff rings.

04-06-2009, 04:42 PM	#10
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	For those wondering "what the heck?", the Vivitar 28mm lenses are almost all worthwhile purchases, and several of them are stunners. The sharpness and contrast these little cheapies put out constantly have me on the lookout for them - extremely fun to collect and shoot.

04-07-2009, 03:56 AM	#11
casualcollector Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 41	Good work, Robin! I inventoried my stuff earlier this week and took a look at my 28mm T4 lenses. These were the TX predecessor. I have three, one Soligor and two Vivitar and all tree have different minimum focus! The Soligor is marked at 1 foot, Vivitar 372xxxx goes to 0.8 foot and Viv 378xxxxxx stops at 1.5 foot. Yes, the last one really as a nine digit serial! Bill

04-07-2009, 08:28 AM	#12
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by casualcollector Vivitar 372xxxx goes to 0.8 foot and Viv 378xxxxxx stops at 1.5 foot. Yes, the last one really as a nine digit serial! Which are these from this list? T91 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.5 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxx / Ø58mm" T92 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxxx / Ø52mm" T93 "Vivitar / WIDE-ANGLE / 28mm 1:2.8 / No. 37xxxxx / Auto" [58mm]

04-07-2009, 11:40 AM	#13
casualcollector Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 41	Originally posted by rparmar Which are these from this list? T91 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.5 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxx / Ø58mm" T92 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / AUTO WIDE-ANGLE / No. 37xxxxxx / Ø52mm" T93 "Vivitar / WIDE-ANGLE / 28mm 1:2.8 / No. 37xxxxx / Auto" [58mm] Should be T93. 2.8 aperture and 58mm filter.

04-07-2009, 12:43 PM	#14
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by casualcollector Should be T93. 2.8 aperture and 58mm filter. So is that the 0.8 foot or the 1.5 foot one?

04-07-2009, 03:03 PM	#15
casualcollector Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 41	Originally posted by rparmar So is that the 0.8 foot or the 1.5 foot one? I'll try to get some images in the near future. The three lenses are really the same. The Soligor is flashier than the Vivitars with its silver aperture ring but all use T4 mounts and have 58mm filter ring. The style of the engraving of the two Vivitars is a bit different but they are probably a few years apart, age wise.