[bdery]

PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing

Item for Sale
Vivitar 120-600mm F5.6/F8 zoom

Asking Price
345.00 USD

Item Location
Québec (Canada)

Item Description
I'm selling this rather unique lens, the Vivitar 120-600mm F5.6 / F8.

Yep, a 600mm F8 lens.



It's so rare that there are only four entries in the user database, one of which is mine.

It is a manual lens, from the glory days of Vivitar. The body is fully metal. It has a metal tripod ring, with holes for two screws so you can use a sturdy tripod plate (the plate depicted on the pics is not included, but I can sell it to you at a low price). The tripod ring clicks at 90° positions, something not found on many more recent lenses. It's beautifully balanced and handles wonderfully.

The lens has a built-in hood, elegant and useful markings. They really don't make them like this anymore.

EVERYTHING on this lens works well and smoothly. The aperture ring clicks clearly, and the 8 aperture blades are oil-free. The zoom ring is heavy (there's a lot of glass) but buttery smooth. There's also no creep at all. The focus ring is so smooth I can move it with a single finger. The hood slides in and out easily, nothing is bent or rough. In operation, it's seriously like new.

I had the lens checked by a repair shop and they were impressed by it, and said it was fine, nothing wrong with it anywhere.

The glass is also impeccable.

As can be seen from the pictures, there are a few scuff marks on the lens barrel, seriously nothing important, mostly hard to notice (I had to play with the lights to have them show on the images). These prevented me from marking the lens "like new". Also, the Vivitar flange from the film days is too long for modern cameras, so I modified it. It's a well-known, easy and risk-free procedure, well documented on the web. You wouldn't notice it if you didn't know. the same thing is required on all older Vivitar lenses, such as the Series 1 70-210 for instance.

The lens comes with the original leather case, which in itself is a beauty. the leather is not perfect, but close.

I'm selling because frankly, I don't use it and recently acquired an AF 135-400mm for when I want a bit more reach. I'm not even sure I'll keep that latter lens, but I prefer to see the Vivitar find a new home.

The lens comes with its case, rear cap, original front cap plus an pinch-type cap that I purchased since the original cap is screw-on, and I didn't like that.

Pricing is not easy. In the user database, two people paid a very low price for it, and someone paid $500. A Soligor equivalent is currently listed 280 Euros en Ebay. I think asking 345$ is a fair price, but I'm open to discussions. Canadian buyers can discuss a price in CAD, and I'll accept Interac transfer with a slightly lower fee.

Shipping is at cost. It's a heavy lens, don't be surprised!

See the pics:

Hood retracted, at 120mm


Hood pulled out, at 120mm


Hood pulled out, at 600mm


The beautiful tripod ring and foot. That thing is solid and smooth.


Lens mount


Front element


Made in Japan, showing the two screw holes and the optional plate



Scuff mark


Scuff mark


Caps


Case


Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
No

Are you selling or trading this item?
Selling

Item Condition (Key)
Used
Excellent

Shipping Destinations
Worldwide

Shipping Charge
Varies

Shipping Services
Canada post preferred

Accepted Payment Types
PayPal Other (Elaborate)

Return Policy & Additional Details
No returns, I am transparent in my posting, feel free to ask questions!

Please send me a private message if interested in the item!

[Shenloanne]

Purely curiosity, what does this weigh?!

[bdery]

Purely curiosity, what does this weigh?!

About 5 pounds.