Can someone identify this Vivitar 135 f2.8?

ducdao · 01-08-2010, 07:35 PM

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I just won this auction and the seller says the serial number is 69958 and it has 15 blades. I searched around and couldn't find any information on the manufacturer that starts with 69 (Vivitar Lens Manufactuers)

Besides, 15 blades seems odd to me but anyways I just took a chance and hopefully I can get a nice surprise...

link to the item on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320469712436&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Thanks,

Duc

Last edited by ducdao; 01-08-2010 at 08:07 PM.

SOldBear · 01-08-2010, 07:47 PM

Hey Duc,

I don't know about that one, but I used to have a 135mm F/3.5 preset Vivitar with 12 blades. The bokeh was nice but the lens was single-coated and thus flare-prone, and contrast was weak.

You're from Saigon! I was a chemical engineering major at Đại Học Kỹ Thuật Phú Thọ way back when....

ducdao · 01-08-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Hey Duc,

I don't know about that one, but I used to have a 135mm F/3.5 preset Vivitar with 12 blades. The bokeh was nice but the lens was single-coated and thus flare-prone, and contrast was weak.

You're from Saigon! I was a chemical engineering major at Đại Học Kỹ Thuật Phú Thọ way back when....

Thanks for the info, SOldBear. I'm actually from Canada but went back to Saigon 5 years ago to open my own company providing digital marketing services. Have you returned to Vietnam since then?

stevebrot · 01-08-2010, 11:11 PM

Your lens probably predates the serial number/manufacturer scheme, though there is an outside chance that it was made in 1969 by Olympus. For $27 USD, you probably can't complain though! Remember to post a short review with pictures of and by the lens once it arrives.

Steve

ducdao · 01-08-2010, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Your lens probably predates the serial number/manufacturer scheme, though there is an outside chance that it was made in 1969 by Olympus. For $27 USD, you probably can't complain though! Remember to post a short review with pictures of and by the lens once it arrives.

Steve

Yah, can't really go wrong with $27

Just found a link on another forum and the photos of the lens posted look very similar to the one posted by my seller, except it's a T-mount not M42 mount

Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-mount lens - Steve's Digicams Forums

SOldBear · 01-09-2010, 12:54 AM

Originally posted by ducdao

Just found a link on another forum and the photos of the lens posted look very similar to the one posted by my seller, except it's a T-mount not M42 mount

I bet yours is a T-mount as well, but with a T-to-M42 adapter.

Mine is also a T-mount. You can see the chrome-colored adapter between the lens and the camera body.

I'm been back to VN a few times for visit (still have a brother and 2 sisters there). Next trip may be in the fall.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 01-09-2010, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by ducdao

I just won this auction and the seller says the serial number is 69958 and it has 15 blades. I searched around and couldn't find any information on the manufacturer that starts with 69 (Vivitar Lens Manufactuers)

Well, doesn't that link says that 6 = Olympus? It's up to two numbers that you need to determine the manufacturer, but for Olympus, just the first one is enough, same as for Cosina.

Quote:

The 1st TWO digits generally indicate lens manufacturer, except serial numbers starting with 6 or 9, which are single digit lens maker codes

Last edited by Laurentiu Cristofor; 01-09-2010 at 02:42 AM. Reason: added quote from link

ducdao · 01-09-2010, 03:39 AM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

Well, doesn't that link says that 6 = Olympus? It's up to two numbers that you need to determine the manufacturer, but for Olympus, just the first one is enough, same as for Cosina.

Ahhh you're right! I was only looking at the first two digits. So I guess this one was made by Olympus in either 1979 or 1969.

Thanks!

brownargus · 01-09-2010, 04:31 AM

During the 1970s, Vivitar marketed a 135 f2.8 Close Focus 1:2 lens that was made by Panagor I believe (Close Focus was Vivitar's way of signifying focus closer than usual but not macro). I don't know anything more about the lens except that it produced excellent quality results. I don't know whether this is related to the lens referred to.

estudleon · 01-09-2010, 08:28 AM

That vivitar lens is a T mount. Perhaps was made by Tokina. I have the 1,8/85 in this version of vivitar. Very good lens.

Rino.

SOldBear · 01-09-2010, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by brownargus

During the 1970s, Vivitar marketed a 135 f2.8 Close Focus 1:2 lens that was made by Panagor I believe (Close Focus was Vivitar's way of signifying focus closer than usual but not macro). I don't know anything more about the lens except that it produced excellent quality results. I don't know whether this is related to the lens referred to.

The Vivitar 135mm F/2.8 close-focusing is actually made by Komine (SN 28xxxx). It is not related to the lens referred to by the OP.

Note: for the hood, I use a 62-49mm step-down adapter, and then a 49mm Pentax hood.

01-08-2010, 07:35 PM	#1
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Can someone identify this Vivitar 135 f2.8? 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. I just won this auction and the seller says the serial number is 69958 and it has 15 blades. I searched around and couldn't find any information on the manufacturer that starts with 69 (Vivitar Lens Manufactuers) Besides, 15 blades seems odd to me but anyways I just took a chance and hopefully I can get a nice surprise... link to the item on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320469712436&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT Thanks, Duc Last edited by ducdao; 01-08-2010 at 08:07 PM.

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01-08-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Hey Duc, I don't know about that one, but I used to have a 135mm F/3.5 preset Vivitar with 12 blades. The bokeh was nice but the lens was single-coated and thus flare-prone, and contrast was weak. You're from Saigon! I was a chemical engineering major at Đại Học Kỹ Thuật Phú Thọ way back when....

01-08-2010, 08:09 PM	#3
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by SOldBear Hey Duc, I don't know about that one, but I used to have a 135mm F/3.5 preset Vivitar with 12 blades. The bokeh was nice but the lens was single-coated and thus flare-prone, and contrast was weak. You're from Saigon! I was a chemical engineering major at Đại Học Kỹ Thuật Phú Thọ way back when.... Thanks for the info, SOldBear. I'm actually from Canada but went back to Saigon 5 years ago to open my own company providing digital marketing services. Have you returned to Vietnam since then?

01-08-2010, 11:11 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Your lens probably predates the serial number/manufacturer scheme, though there is an outside chance that it was made in 1969 by Olympus. For $27 USD, you probably can't complain though! Remember to post a short review with pictures of and by the lens once it arrives. Steve

01-08-2010, 11:35 PM	#5
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Your lens probably predates the serial number/manufacturer scheme, though there is an outside chance that it was made in 1969 by Olympus. For $27 USD, you probably can't complain though! Remember to post a short review with pictures of and by the lens once it arrives. Steve Yah, can't really go wrong with $27 Just found a link on another forum and the photos of the lens posted look very similar to the one posted by my seller, except it's a T-mount not M42 mount Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-mount lens - Steve's Digicams Forums

01-09-2010, 12:54 AM	#6
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by ducdao Just found a link on another forum and the photos of the lens posted look very similar to the one posted by my seller, except it's a T-mount not M42 mount I bet yours is a T-mount as well, but with a T-to-M42 adapter. Mine is also a T-mount. You can see the chrome-colored adapter between the lens and the camera body. I'm been back to VN a few times for visit (still have a brother and 2 sisters there). Next trip may be in the fall.

01-09-2010, 02:41 AM	#7
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by ducdao I just won this auction and the seller says the serial number is 69958 and it has 15 blades. I searched around and couldn't find any information on the manufacturer that starts with 69 (Vivitar Lens Manufactuers) Well, doesn't that link says that 6 = Olympus? It's up to two numbers that you need to determine the manufacturer, but for Olympus, just the first one is enough, same as for Cosina. Quote: The 1st TWO digits generally indicate lens manufacturer, except serial numbers starting with 6 or 9, which are single digit lens maker codes Last edited by Laurentiu Cristofor; 01-09-2010 at 02:42 AM. Reason: added quote from link

01-09-2010, 03:39 AM	#8
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor Well, doesn't that link says that 6 = Olympus? It's up to two numbers that you need to determine the manufacturer, but for Olympus, just the first one is enough, same as for Cosina. Ahhh you're right! I was only looking at the first two digits. So I guess this one was made by Olympus in either 1979 or 1969. Thanks!

01-09-2010, 04:31 AM	#9
brownargus Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 55	During the 1970s, Vivitar marketed a 135 f2.8 Close Focus 1:2 lens that was made by Panagor I believe (Close Focus was Vivitar's way of signifying focus closer than usual but not macro). I don't know anything more about the lens except that it produced excellent quality results. I don't know whether this is related to the lens referred to.

01-09-2010, 08:28 AM	#10
estudleon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 228	That vivitar lens is a T mount. Perhaps was made by Tokina. I have the 1,8/85 in this version of vivitar. Very good lens. Rino.

01-09-2010, 01:02 PM	#11
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by brownargus During the 1970s, Vivitar marketed a 135 f2.8 Close Focus 1:2 lens that was made by Panagor I believe (Close Focus was Vivitar's way of signifying focus closer than usual but not macro). I don't know anything more about the lens except that it produced excellent quality results. I don't know whether this is related to the lens referred to. The Vivitar 135mm F/2.8 close-focusing is actually made by Komine (SN 28xxxx). It is not related to the lens referred to by the OP. Note: for the hood, I use a 62-49mm step-down adapter, and then a 49mm Pentax hood.