Vivitar PK-A 100mm F2.8 lens

CrazyNuts · 02-21-2010, 10:45 PM

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Hi everyone

I was just wondering if the Vivitar PK-A 100mm F2.8 lens and the Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 were the same lens, or even comparable?

I know there are a few versions of this lens but not sure which one to stay away from and which ones are good copies.

Please help

P.S. I've already checked out the LENS DATABASE.

ovim · 02-21-2010, 11:01 PM

Yes it's the same lens. I have it and it's superb.

CrazyNuts · 02-21-2010, 11:08 PM

What would be a fair price to pay in US$?

JeffJS · 02-21-2010, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

What would be a fair price to pay in US$?

From what I've been seeing lately, I don't think you're going to touch one for less than $300. Could get lucky though. I paid $175 new for mine a couple years ago.

Good luck...

CrazyNuts · 02-21-2010, 11:47 PM

For the 1:1 macro to be achieved, do you need some kind of adaptor or extension tube?

JeffJS · 02-21-2010, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

For the 1:1 macro to be achieved, do you need some kind of adaptor or extension tube?

No. Not with the 105mm. With the others, I don't know, the Vivitar 105 is the only one I've ever owned.

CrazyNuts · 02-22-2010, 12:17 AM

Well I just negotiated a price of US$240 for one on ebay

Vivitar MC Macro Telephoto for Pentax K 100mm F2.8 lens - eBay, Lenses, Lenses Filters, Cameras Photo. (end time 22-Feb-10 18:09:43 AEDST)

Hope it's a good copy.

Last edited by CrazyNuts; 02-22-2010 at 12:24 AM.

JeffJS · 02-22-2010, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

Well I just negotiated a price of US$240 for one on ebay

Hope it's a good copy.

Kewel! Hope so too. Looks like a nice one that may be the Lester Dine equivalent (kiron) from the looks of it.

Enjoy it

CrazyNuts · 02-22-2010, 12:43 AM

Well the serial number supports your theory as it starts with "22".

Mike.P® · 02-22-2010, 01:59 PM

I had the 100mm version and swapped it for a D-FA 100mm f2.8.
I kick myself everytime I use the Pentax lens.

CrazyNuts · 02-23-2010, 03:07 PM

Wow....those pictures are excellent.

I can't wait for it to arrive.

I also got myself a Pentax SMC-A 50mm f1.7 so all I need now is a wide angle prime

jsherman999 · 02-23-2010, 03:31 PM

.

Looks like a clean copy. $240 for a nice copy like that is a pretty good deal, congrats.

It's going to handle like a Zeiss - smooth, damped focus throw, lots of metal and thick, heavy, coated elements, and pretty much perform like a Zeiss too, with a bit more CA.

It works extremely well as a general telephoto, too, not just as a dedicated macro.

I've owned that lens, the Viv Series 1 105, and now the Lester Dine 105 - all the same lens.

CrazyNuts · 02-23-2010, 03:53 PM

What's this lens like for portrait work?

jeffrey r · 02-23-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

What's this lens like for portrait work?

It works. Some may say it is "too sharp" for portrait work, but all in all, despite its incredible macro uses, I have found it pretty darn good for portraits as well (strictly amateur that is). Oh, and congrats on getting the lens.

CrazyNuts · 02-23-2010, 05:21 PM

There is no such thing as "too sharp"

I demand that all my pics are sharp as a razor for maximum detail

Well I don't know how USPS can claim my lens is going to take 5 days to get to me when it has already taken 18 hours to get from Backersfield CA to Los Angeles CA

Still have to travel half way accross the world.

Damn it, and I was hoping to use it on the weekend.

By the way, Western Australia is about 12 hours ahead of CA.

02-21-2010, 10:45 PM	#1
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180	Vivitar PK-A 100mm F2.8 lens 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. Hi everyone I was just wondering if the Vivitar PK-A 100mm F2.8 lens and the Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5 were the same lens, or even comparable? I know there are a few versions of this lens but not sure which one to stay away from and which ones are good copies. Please help P.S. I've already checked out the LENS DATABASE.

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02-21-2010, 11:01 PM	#2
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Yes it's the same lens. I have it and it's superb.

02-21-2010, 11:08 PM	#3
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	What would be a fair price to pay in US$?

02-21-2010, 11:12 PM	#4
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by CrazyNuts What would be a fair price to pay in US$? From what I've been seeing lately, I don't think you're going to touch one for less than $300. Could get lucky though. I paid $175 new for mine a couple years ago. Good luck...

02-21-2010, 11:47 PM	#5
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	For the 1:1 macro to be achieved, do you need some kind of adaptor or extension tube?

02-21-2010, 11:53 PM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by CrazyNuts For the 1:1 macro to be achieved, do you need some kind of adaptor or extension tube? No. Not with the 105mm. With the others, I don't know, the Vivitar 105 is the only one I've ever owned.

02-22-2010, 12:17 AM	#7
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	Well I just negotiated a price of US$240 for one on ebay Vivitar MC Macro Telephoto for Pentax K 100mm F2.8 lens - eBay, Lenses, Lenses Filters, Cameras Photo. (end time 22-Feb-10 18:09:43 AEDST) Hope it's a good copy. Last edited by CrazyNuts; 02-22-2010 at 12:24 AM.

02-22-2010, 12:42 AM	#8
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by CrazyNuts Well I just negotiated a price of US$240 for one on ebay Hope it's a good copy. Kewel! Hope so too. Looks like a nice one that may be the Lester Dine equivalent (kiron) from the looks of it. Enjoy it

02-22-2010, 12:43 AM	#9
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	Well the serial number supports your theory as it starts with "22".

02-22-2010, 01:59 PM	#10
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	I had the 100mm version and swapped it for a D-FA 100mm f2.8. I kick myself everytime I use the Pentax lens.

02-23-2010, 03:07 PM	#11
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	Wow....those pictures are excellent. I can't wait for it to arrive. I also got myself a Pentax SMC-A 50mm f1.7 so all I need now is a wide angle prime

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02-23-2010, 03:31 PM	#12
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. Looks like a clean copy. $240 for a nice copy like that is a pretty good deal, congrats. It's going to handle like a Zeiss - smooth, damped focus throw, lots of metal and thick, heavy, coated elements, and pretty much perform like a Zeiss too, with a bit more CA. It works extremely well as a general telephoto, too, not just as a dedicated macro. I've owned that lens, the Viv Series 1 105, and now the Lester Dine 105 - all the same lens.

02-23-2010, 03:53 PM	#13
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	What's this lens like for portrait work?

02-23-2010, 04:21 PM	#14
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	Originally posted by CrazyNuts What's this lens like for portrait work? It works. Some may say it is "too sharp" for portrait work, but all in all, despite its incredible macro uses, I have found it pretty darn good for portraits as well (strictly amateur that is). Oh, and congrats on getting the lens.

02-23-2010, 05:21 PM	#15
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	There is no such thing as "too sharp" I demand that all my pics are sharp as a razor for maximum detail Well I don't know how USPS can claim my lens is going to take 5 days to get to me when it has already taken 18 hours to get from Backersfield CA to Los Angeles CA Still have to travel half way accross the world. Damn it, and I was hoping to use it on the weekend. By the way, Western Australia is about 12 hours ahead of CA.