[k0og]

Here is a photo taken with a Vivitar-A 28mm f2.8 (SN starting with 92, so I don't know who is the manufacturer). It is a six-shot panoramic stitched with Microsoft ICE. Taken with K100DS, ISO200, manual exposure mode.

-Joe-

[alfa75ts]

SN starting with 92, so I don't know who is the manufacturer

Conventional wisdom says Cosina (9 or 09 prefix with the serial no more commonly on the body).

It's not on the pdf listing I posted on the previous page but then there are so many 28mm Vivitars it's not funny.

See The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary for details on Vivitar 28mm lenses.

[k0og]

Alfa, thanks for the clarification. Looking at the bestiary again, it looks like A21 is a good match for mine, so Cosina would be correct.

-Joe-

Conventional wisdom says Cosina (9 or 09 prefix with the serial no more commonly on the body).

It's not on the pdf listing I posted on the previous page but then there are so many 28mm Vivitars it's not funny.

See The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary for details on Vivitar 28mm lenses.

[Dewman]

Here is a photo taken with a Vivitar-A 28mm f2.8 (SN starting with 92, so I don't know who is the manufacturer). It is a six-shot panoramic stitched with Microsoft ICE. Taken with K100DS, ISO200, manual exposure mode.

-Joe-

Very nice image, Joe. I really like the color saturation.

---------- Post added 01-03-15 at 10:53 AM ----------

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Last edited by Dewman; 01-03-2015 at 04:49 PM.

[Dewman]

The postman delivered this lens to me yesterday, so I went to the supermarket and bought a bouquet of flowers as a test subject. I was very pleased with the results, and as is the case with most of these older lenses, it was a bargain at less than $20.00.

[Arjay Bee]

Good to see many appreciative Vivitar users continuing this thread into 2015.
Great chrysanthemum images Dewman. What is the lens btw.

[Dewman]

---------- Post added 01-04-15 at 06:19 AM ----------

Good to see many appreciative Vivitar users continuing this thread into 2015.
Great chrysanthemum images Dewman. What is the lens btw.

Thanks, Arjay. Yes, I'm glad to see there are lots of "Vivitarians" out and about!. The lens in question is a Vivitar 80-200mm, Serial # 77xxxxxx. Literally NIB! It even came with the original little booklet about Vivitar lenses. Box, booklet, Styrofoam.... the works. This is the second Vivitar lens I've bought in the past couple of months that came with all the original packaging and literature. I really like it when this stuff comes with the lens.


Last year, I also bought a Sears 60-300mm close-focus lens that was like this. The packaging.... and the printing.... leads me to think it was made in the early 70s. It too is a very capable lens but is often overlooked because of the rebadging. The manufacturer is a mystery.... but all of the Sears lenses seem to be of exceptional quality, or at least the ones I own.

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Last edited by Dewman; 01-06-2015 at 10:10 AM.

[xinanbei]

Hello, everyone.

I am also a big fan and collector on Vivitar lenses.

Here is a shot from my Vivitar 70-210 Komine version.

[Dewman]

Hello, everyone.

I am also a big fan and collector on Vivitar lenses.

Here is a shot from my Vivitar 70-210 Komine version.

Very nice image from a very nice lens! How do you like it's close focusing abilities?

[xinanbei]

Very nice image from a very nice lens! How do you like it's close focusing abilities?

Hey, Dewman. Thanks for the compliment. I haven't used it for close focusing yet, and I will give it a try when weather turns better.

I have 4 versions of the 70-210 Vivitar series one lenses and tried the Kiron one with macro. It was really good for a zoom lens.

Your image is very impressive with the 80-200 lens.

Cheers!

[Dewman]

Hey, Dewman. Thanks for the compliment. I haven't used it for close focusing yet, and I will give it a try when weather turns better.

I have 4 versions of the 70-210 Vivitar series one lenses and tried the Kiron one with macro. It was really good for a zoom lens.

Your image is very impressive with the 80-200 lens.

Cheers!

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I was pleasantly surprised at the image quality of the 80-200mm lens. In the lens reviews, it was described as a "hidden gem of a lens," and I'd have to agree.


I don't currently have a 70-210mm lens in my herd.... but I bought a Series 1 (Ser. #22xxxx) last week, and it should be here next Monday or Tuesday. I have read of it's legendary performance and I'm anxious to see for myself.


I have two 80-200mm Vivitars, (both with Ser. #s 77xxxx) one an A version, the other without the auto aperture feature. Both are fine performers. I also have a 75-205mm (Ser. #22xxxx) that is equally as good.... maybe slightly better. On the other hand I have a 28-200mm Vivitar (Ser. #77xxxx) that has been quite a disappointment. Soft at all focal lengths and not even in the same ball park as the other Vivitars I own. I also have a 28-210mm version (Ser. #77xxxx) that is better than it's cousin, but still.... only distantly related to the 80-200s and the 75-205.


Of your four Series 1s, which do you think is best, overall?

---------- Post added 01-07-15 at 12:21 PM ----------

[Dewman]

Does anyone have any experience with Vivitar lenses with the serial # beginning with 42xxxx..... made by Bauer? I can find absolutely nothing on the Internet about them. Thanks.

[xinanbei]

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I was pleasantly surprised at the image quality of the 80-200mm lens. In the lens reviews, it was described as a "hidden gem of a lens," and I'd have to agree.


I don't currently have a 70-210mm lens in my herd.... but I bought a Series 1 (Ser. #22xxxx) last week, and it should be here next Monday or Tuesday. I have read of it's legendary performance and I'm anxious to see for myself.


I have two 80-200mm Vivitars, (both with Ser. #s 77xxxx) one an A version, the other without the auto aperture feature. Both are fine performers. I also have a 75-205mm (Ser. #22xxxx) that is equally as good.... maybe slightly better. On the other hand I have a 28-200mm Vivitar (Ser. #77xxxx) that has been quite a disappointment. Soft at all focal lengths and not even in the same ball park as the other Vivitars I own. I also have a 28-210mm version (Ser. #77xxxx) that is better than it's cousin, but still.... only distantly related to the 80-200s and the 75-205.


Of your four Series 1s, which do you think is best, overall?

---------- Post added 01-07-15 at 12:21 PM ----------

I used to have the 75-205 F3.8 lens and the "#22xxxx" means it was made by Kiron. That lens is like a little brother of your coming Series 1 70-210 (also made by Kiron), which is even little sharper IMO. The macro ability of the Series 1 is also better. I have a Soligor 28-200 which is the same as your Vivitar 28-200. That is not an impressive lens indeed. I am actually selling the Soligor 28-200 in Marketplace now.

For the best of Series 1 70-210, to me there is no doubt that the #28xxx (made by Komine) is the best. I have four lenses of this version and finally decide to sell three. The second favorite would be #22xxxx (Kiron), followed by #37xxxxx (Tokina). For other version I have(Cosina made Q-Dos version) I don't really use it. I save it just for completing the collection. I also have the Kiron 70-210 F4, and it is very similar as the #22xxxx version 70-210.

Hope you would enjoy your new coming lens.

Ray

---------- Post added 01-07-15 at 01:16 PM ----------

Does anyone have any experience with Vivitar lenses with the serial # beginning with 42xxxx..... made by Bauer? I can find absolutely nothing on the Internet about them. Thanks.

I am not sure about Bauer made lens. I used to have a giant Series 1 650-1300 lens made by Samyang. Bauer seems to have the same designed lens, so there might be some relation. Anyway, the samyang made series 1 lens is not a keeper.

[Dewman]

The first thing I thought was, "Dang.... this thing is HEAVY!" Yep, it is for sure. It weighs in at 2 lbs., 2 oz.! It looks brand new! Absolutely blemish-free! So, after looking it over, I hooked it up to my camera. The first few images were very encouraging. Shot at 210mm, non-macro and focused as close as it would go.... f:8. Nice and sharp. VERY sharp, as a matter of fact! Excellent color saturation and contrast. I wasn't sure how to actuate the macro feature, so I referred to the lens review on it. To say I was pleased would be the understatement of the year! Dang.... I THOUGH I had some lenses that were sharp, but this thing leaves them ALL in the dust! My oh my.... I'm still in amazement!


If I have any dissatisfaction with the lens, it would be the clunky feeling when sliding the focusing ring back and forth to focus when in macro. I have no idea if this is normal or not, because I've never owned a lens of this type. Maybe some of you guys who know can fill me in? Anyway, here's a few shots with the new member of the clan.

[royden]

My Vivitar Series 1, 70-210mm arrived today!

Hey Dewman. I gonna come to Idaho now and confiscate your CCs, DCs and Checks. Every time I look, something new arrives. On second thought, I see you in the summertime. LOL.

BTW. That Viv is kicking. The Viv 28-85/3.5/4.5 that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago is serial # 77xxxxxxxx. Pretty heavy for it's size. Will post some shots in the Vivitar club.