Vivitar Lens Club - share the beauty

theunartist · 01-02-2012, 06:01 PM

K20D + Vivitar 19-35/3.5

The more I use this lens the better it gets

Transit · 01-03-2012, 12:33 AM

the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual...

image quality is fairly unsharp

might need to take it down to .5mm

Pete

**baro-nite** · 01-03-2012, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Transit

the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual...

image quality is fairly unsharp

Excellent color rendering, though!

**paulh** · 01-03-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by theunartist

K20D + Vivitar 19-35/3.5

The more I use this lens the better it gets

Nice, Rick. That looks like it could be a useful lens for not a lot of money. How is distortion at the wide end?

theunartist · 01-03-2012, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by paulh

Nice, Rick. That looks like it could be a useful lens for not a lot of money. How is distortion at the wide end?

I like distortion when obviously shooting with a wide angle lens!

The lens itself, is pretty good if you are really really careful with highlights, otherwise it will blow highlights in an instant. I'm going to try it out today on the K-x, which maybe able to save both highlights and shadows in high contrast images; maybe I'm asking too much, I don't think I'd expect other lenses to be able to do this

but you can easily lose highlights with this lens.

f3.5 throughout its range, sharper/faster than kit lens wide open throughout range and surprisingly sharp at the 35mm end.

**paulh** · 01-03-2012, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by theunartist

I like distortion when obviously shooting with a wide angle lens!

The lens itself, is pretty good if you are really really careful with highlights, otherwise it will blow highlights in an instant. I'm going to try it out today on the K-x, which maybe able to save both highlights and shadows in high contrast images; maybe I'm asking too much, I don't think I'd expect other lenses to be able to do this

but you can easily lose highlights with this lens.

f3.5 throughout its range, sharper/faster than kit lens wide open throughout range and surprisingly sharp at the 35mm end.

I don't mind some distortion on wide views, sometimes it adds to the character of the shot. I like a lot of rob1234's Sigma 10-20 shots, for example - in landscapes, it doesn't detract from the photo, imo. I was using the 18-55 kit lens to shoot architecture, and got the usual barrel distortion. I can correct it in digiKam using the lens profiles, but it ends up cropping too much. I guess I'm looking for the poor man's WA - your Vivitar looks interesting. Meanwhile, I'll keep working with the kit lens & trying to allow some space at the edges for lens correction/crops.

Transit · 01-03-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

Excellent color rendering, though!

Yes! the rend is a surprise

bimjo · 01-03-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Transit

the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual...

image quality is fairly unsharp

might need to take it down to .5mm

Pete

Really smooth bokeh though.

Transit · 01-05-2012, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by bimjo

Really smooth bokeh though.

bokeh seems to be all it does

Pete

bimjo · 01-06-2012, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Transit

bokeh seems to be all it does

Pete

Picky, picky, picky.

But, yes, you'll have to go much smaller to get it to work. But, since you already have a hole in the body cap you can now use a piece of aluminum foil and a needle to create your aperture. Just tape it on the inside and start poking.

Lacyt · 01-08-2012, 02:22 PM

Well, I've been through this whole thread, and unless I just missed it, didn't see anything from or about the Vivitar M42 300mm beast. Anyone have or had this one? What's the verdict?

Thanks!

ducdao · 01-08-2012, 02:48 PM

Few last shots with the Vivitar 28/2 CF wide open. Pretty fun with CF ability.

CA is pretty strong as you can see in the second picture.

jwc77 · 01-21-2012, 08:20 PM

A few from my new M42 Vivitar 200mm f3.5 (wide open if I recall)

Arjay Bee · 01-21-2012, 10:46 PM

Vivitar 75 - 205 3.8 (Kiron Build) One touch zoom.

I like this lens very much despite the sticky aperture blades - both at F8 and ISO800 - (setting from night shoot earlier in the week)

theunartist · 01-22-2012, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Arjay Bee

Vivitar 75 - 205 3.8 (Kiron Build) One touch zoom.

I like this lens very much despite the sticky aperture blades - both at F8 and ISO800 - (setting from night shoot earlier in the week)

Nice photos! I also have this lens and like it very much, IQ is very very good even wide open. My only gripe would is the size and 1 touch zoom, it may well be the largest lens I have but certainly not the heaviest...

K10D + Vivitar 75-205/3.8

01-03-2012, 02:46 PM	#261
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,270	Originally posted by theunartist I like distortion when obviously shooting with a wide angle lens! The lens itself, is pretty good if you are really really careful with highlights, otherwise it will blow highlights in an instant. I'm going to try it out today on the K-x, which maybe able to save both highlights and shadows in high contrast images; maybe I'm asking too much, I don't think I'd expect other lenses to be able to do this but you can easily lose highlights with this lens. f3.5 throughout its range, sharper/faster than kit lens wide open throughout range and surprisingly sharp at the 35mm end. I don't mind some distortion on wide views, sometimes it adds to the character of the shot. I like a lot of rob1234's Sigma 10-20 shots, for example - in landscapes, it doesn't detract from the photo, imo. I was using the 18-55 kit lens to shoot architecture, and got the usual barrel distortion. I can correct it in digiKam using the lens profiles, but it ends up cropping too much. I guess I'm looking for the poor man's WA - your Vivitar looks interesting. Meanwhile, I'll keep working with the kit lens & trying to allow some space at the edges for lens correction/crops. Last edited by paulh; 01-03-2012 at 03:43 PM.

01-21-2012, 08:20 PM	#268
jwc77 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 269	A few from my new M42 Vivitar 200mm f3.5 (wide open if I recall) Last edited by jwc77; 05-08-2013 at 06:58 AM.

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01-02-2012, 06:01 PM	#256
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	K20D + Vivitar 19-35/3.5 The more I use this lens the better it gets

01-03-2012, 12:33 AM	#257
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual... image quality is fairly unsharp might need to take it down to .5mm Pete

01-03-2012, 06:17 AM	#258
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by Transit the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual... image quality is fairly unsharp Excellent color rendering, though!

01-03-2012, 08:02 AM	#259
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,270	Originally posted by theunartist K20D + Vivitar 19-35/3.5 The more I use this lens the better it gets Nice, Rick. That looks like it could be a useful lens for not a lot of money. How is distortion at the wide end?

01-03-2012, 08:17 AM	#260
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	Originally posted by paulh Nice, Rick. That looks like it could be a useful lens for not a lot of money. How is distortion at the wide end? I like distortion when obviously shooting with a wide angle lens! The lens itself, is pretty good if you are really really careful with highlights, otherwise it will blow highlights in an instant. I'm going to try it out today on the K-x, which maybe able to save both highlights and shadows in high contrast images; maybe I'm asking too much, I don't think I'd expect other lenses to be able to do this but you can easily lose highlights with this lens. f3.5 throughout its range, sharper/faster than kit lens wide open throughout range and surprisingly sharp at the 35mm end.

01-03-2012, 03:19 PM	#262
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by baro-nite Excellent color rendering, though! Yes! the rend is a surprise

01-03-2012, 05:30 PM	#263
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	Originally posted by Transit the Vivitar 1mm is quite unusual... image quality is fairly unsharp might need to take it down to .5mm Pete Really smooth bokeh though.

01-05-2012, 11:16 PM	#264
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by bimjo Really smooth bokeh though. bokeh seems to be all it does Pete

01-06-2012, 09:54 AM	#265
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	Originally posted by Transit bokeh seems to be all it does Pete Picky, picky, picky. But, yes, you'll have to go much smaller to get it to work. But, since you already have a hole in the body cap you can now use a piece of aluminum foil and a needle to create your aperture. Just tape it on the inside and start poking.

01-08-2012, 02:22 PM	#266
Lacyt New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 16	Well, I've been through this whole thread, and unless I just missed it, didn't see anything from or about the Vivitar M42 300mm beast. Anyone have or had this one? What's the verdict? Thanks!

01-08-2012, 02:48 PM	#267
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Few last shots with the Vivitar 28/2 CF wide open. Pretty fun with CF ability. CA is pretty strong as you can see in the second picture.

01-21-2012, 10:46 PM	#269
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715 Original Poster	Vivitar 75 - 205 3.8 (Kiron Build) One touch zoom. I like this lens very much despite the sticky aperture blades - both at F8 and ISO800 - (setting from night shoot earlier in the week)

01-22-2012, 04:42 AM	#270
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	Originally posted by Arjay Bee Vivitar 75 - 205 3.8 (Kiron Build) One touch zoom. I like this lens very much despite the sticky aperture blades - both at F8 and ISO800 - (setting from night shoot earlier in the week) Nice photos! I also have this lens and like it very much, IQ is very very good even wide open. My only gripe would is the size and 1 touch zoom, it may well be the largest lens I have but certainly not the heaviest... K10D + Vivitar 75-205/3.8