[TonyTurley]

Thanks Arjay. My 75-205 is the Kiron. Most of the Vivitar lenses I've had have been Komine.

Tony

[Cee Cee]

cross posted from share your photos.... Vivitar S1 70-210 f3.8 (Tokina)

[Pixel-8]

Very nice. I have that lens as well but in Olympus mount. It's fabulous on other non-Pentax dslrs. The Tokina version of the series 1 70-210 is the best one, IMO. Not too many were made in Pentax mount.

[TonyTurley]

I received my Vivitar (Kiron) 75-205mm 1:3.8 Macro Focusing Zoom today. I posted a pic of it mounted to my K-30 in the "Your latest acquisition" thread. I opened the package when I came in the door and zipped outside for some hurried shots before the sun went down; I had already lost direct sunlight at ground level. The first few shots are of the same tree at different FLs. The last one was taken in the thickening gloom off my back porch. I'm pleased with the IQ, especially considering some of those shots were taken at shutter speeds that really called for a tripod. I think this lens will serve me well until I can get the DA 55-300 WR, and even after that.

Tony

[dunerunner]

Viv 105 2.5 @7.1

[micromacro]

Out of curiosity I bought Vivitar VMC Auto 135mm f3.5, very cheap, so I did not mind to try it.

I've searched all around, but did not find any information about that lens at all.

That what is written on the lens : VMC Vivitar 135mm 1:3.5 Auto 49mm (diameter)

Does anyone know that lens?

[Miserere]

That what is written on the lens : VMC Vivitar 135mm 1:3.5 Auto 49mm (diameter)

Does anyone know that lens?

I've never met her personally

[elliott]

Out of curiosity I bought Vivitar VMC Auto 135mm f3.5, very cheap, so I did not mind to try it.

I've searched all around, but did not find any information about that lens at all.

That what is written on the lens : VMC Vivitar 135mm 1:3.5 Auto 49mm (diameter)

Does anyone know that lens?

No serial number? The VMC designation was usually reserved for the Series 1 lenses, but that obviously isn't one of them. I've seen a non Series 1 28mm f2.8 that had VMC on it which turned out to be Cosina. I see Cosina makes a 135mm f3.5, so that is a possibility.

[micromacro]

I see Cosina makes a 135mm f3.5, so that is a possibility.

I googled that lens, yep it looks the same as I got. Even the lens mount in black is identical to Vivitar.
Seems it's not so bad for the price of $15 total including shipping.
Thanks!

[elliott]

I googled that lens, yep it looks the same as I got. Even the lens mount in black is identical to Vivitar.
Seems it's not so bad for the price of $15 total including shipping.
Thanks!

Are you already aware of the problem of using K mount lenses with non-conductive mounts on K-7/K-x and newer bodies? If the contacts are not shorted the body assumes the lens is M42 and does not try to actuate the aperture lever. With these bodies you either need to add some conductive foil or remove the anodizing from the lens mount. Older bodies don't have this problem.

[micromacro]

Are you already aware of the problem of using K mount lenses with non-conductive mounts on K-7/K-x and newer bodies?

I had no idea, thanks.
My camera is K200D, so hopefully I will not have any problems with the mount. If it's a problem, I prefer to remove the coating. Or, it's probably easy to buy some broken lens and just change the mount.

As for the image quality, it seems that lens is not bad, imo. Will see.

[paulh]

I had no idea, thanks.
My camera is K200D, so hopefully I will not have any problems with the mount. If it's a problem, I prefer to remove the coating. Or, it's probably easy to buy some broken lens and just change the mount.

As for the image quality, it seems that lens is not bad, imo. Will see.

You should be ok with the K200D. My Viv 135/2.8 (Cosina) has the anodized mount, but works fine on my K10D & K100D. However, I don't get a focus confirmation in the VF using that lens. But that hasn't been a problem for me (yet).

[micromacro]

You should be ok with the K200D. My Viv 135/2.8 (Cosina) has the anodized mount, but works fine on my K10D & K100D. However, I don't get a focus confirmation in the VF using that lens. But that hasn't been a problem for me (yet).

Oh, that may be a problem, since my eyes are not getting younger. Is that a reason why those vivitar lenses are so cheap on ebay? Because, judging from pictures, they are not so "cheap" at all.
I just started discovering old lenses, and found myself quickly addicted.

[elliott]

Oh, that may be a problem, since my eyes are not getting younger. Is that a reason why those vivitar lenses are so cheap on ebay? Because, judging from pictures, they are not so "cheap" at all.
I just started discovering old lenses, and found myself quickly addicted.

That problem doesn't really affect value, I've only seen the anodized mounts on some Cosina made lenses, most are bare metal. The Kobori made K mount lenses often have oversized aperture shields that keep them from mounting on Pentax DSLRs, but this is easily fixed.

The low value is mostly due to the sheer number of them available. The Komine made 135mm f2.8 and 200mm f3.5 are great, they even have a good reputation, but still sell for very little due to how common they are. The multiple variations don't help either, unless you're familiar with them you might not know which is the desirable one, so people avoid them all together.

For even more fun you can find really off brand stuff that is identical to the Vivitars. My Super Lentar 21mm f3.8 and Bushnell 35mm f2.8 were both sold under the Vivitar brand, all were manufactured by Tokina.

[micromacro]

I got the lens today and did very quick testing. It seems like this lens is very sharp, at f8 the most, but totally unacceptable wide open. I can not complain for the price, and need to do better testing on tripod anyway. It's extremely comfortable however. Well balanced on K200D. The serial number is on the side, 90305559.

First testing at f8, not cropped or edited. A bit dark because I did not change setting (lazy!)