Used Vivitar Lens

STELLA'S K-1 · 09-27-2021, 01:31 PM

For six dollars at the nearest thrift store I purchased a Vivitar 70-150mm F 3.8 Close Focusing
Auto Zoom Lens with the K-Mount. The lens appears to be in fantastic shape but it is missing the end cap. I am just wondering if any of your readers know anything about the capabilites of this lens.

**aslyfox** · 09-27-2021, 03:53 PM

Welcome to the forums

you will find friendly members and a lot of knowledge here

is this the lens?

Quote:

Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8

Description:
There are two versions of the Kino Optical (Kiron) made 70-150mm TP (22xxxx serials), a two ring version and a one ring version. The older two-ring "close focusing zoom" version has a separate macro mode at 70mm, whereas the push-pull "macro focusing zoom" version will focus closely at all focal lengths. See pics (pics 2, 3 due to csaveanu, show nikon mount versions).
Generally can be found in PK and M42 mounts (and other mounts of the era). Often with dedicated 2x vivitar teleconverter (pic 1).
Also marketed by Kino as the Kiron 70-150mm f4.
This lens can have the overlarge aperture lever guard, which will prevent the lens mounting properly on dslr, see here.

Note that there is also a Tokina made vivitar 70-150mm, this has a 37xxxx serial (needs own review page).

Vivitar 70-150mm Macro
Optical construction: 15 elements in 10 groups.
Aperture: F3.8-22
Iris: 6 blades
CFD: 1.5m/5'.
CFD - Macro: 0.4m/1.3'
Weight: 585g

Review of 2-touch version with video tests here.

[ Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom Review ]

Review of one touch version by Ashley Pomeroy

[ Women and Dreams: Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8: Ducks are Birds ]

What Camera Magazine comparison of 70(75)-150mm zooms inc Vivitar.
Mount Type: Pentax K

Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**Kerrowdown** · 09-29-2021, 12:56 AM

Welcome to the forum, sorry that's not a lens I'm familiar with.

uhfiwdsf · 11-28-2021, 11:17 AM

Welcome to the forum. Looks like there are a few reviews and images in the lens database Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Not a Number · 11-28-2021, 12:47 PM

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum. It appears that lens was made by Kino Precision (Kiron) was are usually very well regarded lenses.

**kiwi_jono** · 11-28-2021, 01:13 PM

Well for $6 you can't really go wrong (unless its full with fungus). This series of lenses has a bit of a following as they have a high value rating (given they are so cheap).
I'm I don't have any but I have seen some good photos from them.

VictorDA · 11-28-2021, 01:20 PM

Welcome to the forums, whatever you do with that lens, if you get a bit of fun out of it, that'll be a success at this price

**Mikesul** · 11-28-2021, 08:05 PM

Welcome! You may want to ask your question in the lens subforum.

**DamienW** · 12-02-2021, 08:28 PM

Welcome...look forward to seeing some shots from it perhaps!

sarge · 12-02-2021, 11:31 PM

Welcome! If it is a clean lens, $6.00 cannot be beat. Have fun with it!

09-27-2021, 01:31 PM	#1
STELLA'S K-1 New Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 1	Used Vivitar Lens For six dollars at the nearest thrift store I purchased a Vivitar 70-150mm F 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom Lens with the K-Mount. The lens appears to be in fantastic shape but it is missing the end cap. I am just wondering if any of your readers know anything about the capabilites of this lens.

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09-27-2021, 03:53 PM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,576	Welcome to the forums you will find friendly members and a lot of knowledge here is this the lens? Quote: Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8 Description: There are two versions of the Kino Optical (Kiron) made 70-150mm TP (22xxxx serials), a two ring version and a one ring version. The older two-ring "close focusing zoom" version has a separate macro mode at 70mm, whereas the push-pull "macro focusing zoom" version will focus closely at all focal lengths. See pics (pics 2, 3 due to csaveanu, show nikon mount versions). Generally can be found in PK and M42 mounts (and other mounts of the era). Often with dedicated 2x vivitar teleconverter (pic 1). Also marketed by Kino as the Kiron 70-150mm f4. This lens can have the overlarge aperture lever guard, which will prevent the lens mounting properly on dslr, see here. Note that there is also a Tokina made vivitar 70-150mm, this has a 37xxxx serial (needs own review page). Vivitar 70-150mm Macro Optical construction: 15 elements in 10 groups. Aperture: F3.8-22 Iris: 6 blades CFD: 1.5m/5'. CFD - Macro: 0.4m/1.3' Weight: 585g Review of 2-touch version with video tests here. [ Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom Review ] Review of one touch version by Ashley Pomeroy [ Women and Dreams: Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8: Ducks are Birds ] What Camera Magazine comparison of 70(75)-150mm zooms inc Vivitar. Mount Type: Pentax K Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

09-29-2021, 12:56 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,804	Welcome to the forum, sorry that's not a lens I'm familiar with.

11-28-2021, 11:17 AM	#4
uhfiwdsf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 124	Welcome to the forum. Looks like there are a few reviews and images in the lens database Vivitar (Kiron) close/macro focusing zoom 70-150mm F3.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

11-28-2021, 12:47 PM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	Greetings and Welcome to the Forum. It appears that lens was made by Kino Precision (Kiron) was are usually very well regarded lenses.

11-28-2021, 01:13 PM	#6
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Well for $6 you can't really go wrong (unless its full with fungus). This series of lenses has a bit of a following as they have a high value rating (given they are so cheap). I'm I don't have any but I have seen some good photos from them.

11-28-2021, 01:20 PM	#7
VictorDA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lyon area, France Posts: 718	Welcome to the forums, whatever you do with that lens, if you get a bit of fun out of it, that'll be a success at this price

11-28-2021, 08:05 PM	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,591	Welcome! You may want to ask your question in the lens subforum.

12-02-2021, 08:28 PM	#9
DamienW Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 847	Welcome...look forward to seeing some shots from it perhaps!

12-02-2021, 11:31 PM	#10
sarge Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 460	Welcome! If it is a clean lens, $6.00 cannot be beat. Have fun with it!

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