Vivitar (Komine) MC 28mm f2 Close Focusing (k-mount)

**pepperberry farm** · 06-26-2021, 05:23 PM - **1 Like**

this is also known as the 'K01' lens, from the Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary

on the left (the Vivitar 24/2 is on the right)

close-focusing

and Robin Parmar's test/review of the 'K01':

theatre of noise: On Test: Vivitar 28mm 1:2.0 Close Focus Wide Angle [K01]

**pepperberry farm** · 06-26-2021, 05:25 PM

wide open, you'll immediately notice the 'glow' of the lens:

but manage the light properly, and f2 images can be keepers:

**pepperberry farm** · 06-26-2021, 05:27 PM

stopped down, the close-focusing of the lens delivers

**pepperberry farm** · 06-26-2021, 05:28 PM

**pepperberry farm** · 06-26-2021, 05:29 PM

**marcusBMG** · 06-27-2021, 07:50 AM - **1 Like**

I particularly like the fly, P.F. nice one.
I would be interested to see some landscape/buildings, and see how consistent across the frame yours is. My f2 close focus, PKA mount, fairly worn example, isn't (the kiron made ones I have do a bit better)!

My investigations indicate that the main reason is field curvature. When I move the 10x magnified image in live view from the centre to the edge (you can use the 4 way controller to do this on K3 and other models), I can improve the focus by slightly refocussing (nearer).

house · 06-27-2021, 09:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by marcusBMG

I would be interested to see some landscape/buildings, and see how consistent across the frame yours is. Mine isn't (the kiron made ones I have do a bit better)!

So yours is also a Komine K01 version with 28XXXX serial? I have a battered copy that performs about the same as your sample but it's the A version. Not really usable for landscape type stuff. People rave about this lens but it's presumably the close focus capacity that people find attractive. It's sharp in the center and can oof areas look nice.

After testing it mine has been on the shelf. Should give it a proper go at some point.

edit: oops mine is the f2.8 so comments above aren't applicable.

**marcusBMG** · 06-27-2021, 10:03 AM - **1 Like**

Mine is the A01 in Robin Parmar's list.
Interestingly, I did try a Viv 28mm close focus f2.8 (sept 2019) to see if the slower lens had more consistent iq - it didn't! In fact it was very similar in its performance, suggesting very similar optics. I can remark 1. that I am still looking for the 28mm that makes me cry "gotcha" in respect of test pics of Conwy Castle; 2. two 24's I just tried did better than most of the 28's: hoya (=tokina) 24mm f2.8, sigma superwide II 24mm f2.8.

**pepperberry farm** · 06-27-2021, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

Yes.
Interestingly, I did try a Viv 28mm close focus f2.8 (sept 2019) to see if the slower lens had more consistent iq - it didn't! In fact it was very similar in its performance, suggesting very similar optics. I can remark 1. that I am still looking for the 28mm that makes me cry "gotcha" in respect of test pics of Conwy Castle; 2. two 24's I just tried did better than most of the 28's: hoya (=tokina) 24mm f2.8, sigma superwide II 24mm f2.8.

one of the things I discovered after shooting with the 28/2 yesterday, the rear element was loose enough in its seat to wobble when I gave it a gentle wipe; I re-seated it (carefully) and need to retest it....

house · 06-27-2021, 11:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

the rear element was loose enough in its seat to wobble when I gave it a gentle wipe

Perhaps some of that very extreme glow will go away.

**marcusBMG** · 06-27-2021, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

Don't get me wrong I like these viv 28mm f2's. They are very sharp centre frame from f4 on, have great colours for eg flower pics, close focus and can be found with PKA mount. But for landscape like my castle shots, they are inconsistent across the frame - and thats on apsc!

**pepperberry farm** · 06-27-2021, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

Don't get me wrong I like these viv 28mm f2's. They are very sharp centre frame from f4 on, have great colours for eg flower pics, close focus and can be found with PKA mount. But for landscape like my castle shots, they are inconsistent across the frame - and thats on apsc!

you can say that you don't like a lens - it should not be an issue anywhere; I once said I preferred a DA 40 Limited over the FA 43 Limited and you would have thought I shaved one bloke's dog for it...

(:

Originally posted by house

Perhaps some of that very extreme glow will go away.

let's hope...

aaacb · 06-27-2021, 06:02 PM

After seeing this thread, and that there was a Kiron 28mm f2 available in nice shape (x01 from the vivitar 28 page), I'm looking forward to receiving the lens.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-28-2021, 05:06 AM - **1 Like**

is there any optical difference between this lens and its PKA mount sibling? just curious as there is already an archive listing for the PKA version

**pepperberry farm** · 06-28-2021, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

is there any optical difference between this lens and its PKA mount sibling? just curious as there is already an archive listing for the PKA version

as far as I can tell - no..

and I considered that when I started this new page... mainly that page's age and level of participation...

however, in the interest of keeping minimal pages on the same lens, should the threads be merged?

06-26-2021, 05:23 PM - 1 Like	#1
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625	Vivitar (Komine) MC 28mm f2 Close Focusing (k-mount) this is also known as the 'K01' lens, from the Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary on the left (the Vivitar 24/2 is on the right) close-focusing and Robin Parmar's test/review of the 'K01': theatre of noise: On Test: Vivitar 28mm 1:2.0 Close Focus Wide Angle [K01]

06-27-2021, 07:50 AM - 1 Like	#6
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,868	I particularly like the fly, P.F. nice one. I would be interested to see some landscape/buildings, and see how consistent across the frame yours is. My f2 close focus, PKA mount, fairly worn example, isn't (the kiron made ones I have do a bit better)! My investigations indicate that the main reason is field curvature. When I move the 10x magnified image in live view from the centre to the edge (you can use the 4 way controller to do this on K3 and other models), I can improve the focus by slightly refocussing (nearer). Last edited by marcusBMG; 06-27-2021 at 09:57 AM.

06-27-2021, 10:03 AM - 1 Like	#8
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,868	Mine is the A01 in Robin Parmar's list. Interestingly, I did try a Viv 28mm close focus f2.8 (sept 2019) to see if the slower lens had more consistent iq - it didn't! In fact it was very similar in its performance, suggesting very similar optics. I can remark 1. that I am still looking for the 28mm that makes me cry "gotcha" in respect of test pics of Conwy Castle; 2. two 24's I just tried did better than most of the 28's: hoya (=tokina) 24mm f2.8, sigma superwide II 24mm f2.8. Last edited by marcusBMG; 06-28-2021 at 01:58 AM.

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06-26-2021, 05:25 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster	wide open, you'll immediately notice the 'glow' of the lens: but manage the light properly, and f2 images can be keepers:

06-26-2021, 05:27 PM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster	stopped down, the close-focusing of the lens delivers

06-26-2021, 05:28 PM	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster

06-26-2021, 05:29 PM	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster

06-27-2021, 09:13 AM - 1 Like	#7
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by marcusBMG I would be interested to see some landscape/buildings, and see how consistent across the frame yours is. Mine isn't (the kiron made ones I have do a bit better)! So yours is also a Komine K01 version with 28XXXX serial? I have a battered copy that performs about the same as your sample but it's the A version. Not really usable for landscape type stuff. People rave about this lens but it's presumably the close focus capacity that people find attractive. It's sharp in the center and can oof areas look nice. After testing it mine has been on the shelf. Should give it a proper go at some point. edit: oops mine is the f2.8 so comments above aren't applicable.

06-27-2021, 10:38 AM	#9
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster	Originally posted by marcusBMG Yes. Interestingly, I did try a Viv 28mm close focus f2.8 (sept 2019) to see if the slower lens had more consistent iq - it didn't! In fact it was very similar in its performance, suggesting very similar optics. I can remark 1. that I am still looking for the 28mm that makes me cry "gotcha" in respect of test pics of Conwy Castle; 2. two 24's I just tried did better than most of the 28's: hoya (=tokina) 24mm f2.8, sigma superwide II 24mm f2.8. one of the things I discovered after shooting with the 28/2 yesterday, the rear element was loose enough in its seat to wobble when I gave it a gentle wipe; I re-seated it (carefully) and need to retest it....

06-27-2021, 11:42 AM - 1 Like	#10
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by pepperberry farm the rear element was loose enough in its seat to wobble when I gave it a gentle wipe Perhaps some of that very extreme glow will go away.

06-27-2021, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#11
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,868	Don't get me wrong I like these viv 28mm f2's. They are very sharp centre frame from f4 on, have great colours for eg flower pics, close focus and can be found with PKA mount. But for landscape like my castle shots, they are inconsistent across the frame - and thats on apsc!

06-27-2021, 01:59 PM	#12
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster	Originally posted by marcusBMG Don't get me wrong I like these viv 28mm f2's. They are very sharp centre frame from f4 on, have great colours for eg flower pics, close focus and can be found with PKA mount. But for landscape like my castle shots, they are inconsistent across the frame - and thats on apsc! you can say that you don't like a lens - it should not be an issue anywhere; I once said I preferred a DA 40 Limited over the FA 43 Limited and you would have thought I shaved one bloke's dog for it... (: Originally posted by house Perhaps some of that very extreme glow will go away. let's hope...

06-27-2021, 06:02 PM	#13
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,723	After seeing this thread, and that there was a Kiron 28mm f2 available in nice shape (x01 from the vivitar 28 page), I'm looking forward to receiving the lens.

06-28-2021, 05:06 AM - 1 Like	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	is there any optical difference between this lens and its PKA mount sibling? just curious as there is already an archive listing for the PKA version

06-28-2021, 05:35 AM	#15
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge is there any optical difference between this lens and its PKA mount sibling? just curious as there is already an archive listing for the PKA version as far as I can tell - no.. and I considered that when I started this new page... mainly that page's age and level of participation... however, in the interest of keeping minimal pages on the same lens, should the threads be merged?

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