Some weeks ago I bought this lens, a K-mount Vivitar 55mm f2.8 1:1 macro. This
lens was made in several versions under several different brand names: I know
of the M42 Panagor 55mm f3 - notwithstanding it's smaller max aperture it's the
really the same lens - and I've seen pictures of the Vivitar 55mm f2.8 with M42
mount too.
After trying the above mentioned Panagor on the K-7 for a few shots, I was
pleasantly surprised by the image quality as seen on the LCD screen of the
camera.
After shooting some weeks with the Vivitar, I think this is a very good macro lens!
I use it mostly without extension rings, because for the larger subjects I shoot
1:1 is enough, but for smaller subjects I combine the lens with the Kenko PZ-AF
Uniplus Tube 25 to get a larger magnification. Of course it is manual focus, and it
has no 'A' setting.
Here are some examples made with this lens. Most of them are shown elsewhere
on the forum before, I hope you don't mind I show them here again.....
Without extension ring:
#1
#2
#3
With 25mm extension ring:
#4
#5