[ts357]

Hi all,

i am in real trouble here.
just bought the K5iis, very happy with it!
i stumbled upon a Vivitar komine 90mm f/2.8, supposedly in good condition, for 180$.
i think that 180$ is a high, and i just bought a new camera...
as i am interested in macro shooting.
is it any good good for a beginner like me?
or should i look for something else.

your advice will be extremely helpful...

Thanks

[sergysergy]

It is a great lens so have fun with it!

Vivitar (Komine) 90mm f2.5 or f2.8 Macro Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[dms]

It has a good reputation--but what kind of lens do you want?
Extreme macro and/or skittish insects, and potraits--yes the lens is likely appropriate.
Largish flowers, and more general photographs--less likely to be appropriate.
Do you want an A (AV mode) lens? What about AF?
You need to define the parameters.

[beachgardener]

Macro shooting generally is a slower pace, tripod, manual focus. I would love one of those lenses, but I'm a Vivitar fan. $180 is high, but might be ok if it is an excellent copy with original caps and case. Check out the Tamron 90mm macro price as that is AF and may be more what you want.

[ts357]

Thanks all!
i dont mind MF , i have a great tripod with a pistol grip that i got from work.
did lower the seller to 150$ which i think is reasonable.
he also have a pentax 2x-22 converter, should i get it?

thanks again!!!

[sergysergy]

I am not sure if that TC is going to serve you well. I stay away from 2x TC.

[ts357]

Really, why is that?
It is a genuine pentax converter…

[tryphon4]

TC are never perfect: they bring some C.A. and a loss of resolution.
While a 1.4x one is still good, I would not even try a 2x.

Instead, it is preferable to get an extension ring set and/or bellows and/or an achromat close-up.

[Caver]

Really, why is that?
It is a genuine pentax converter…

The reason to stay away from teleconverters is that all teleconverters degrade image quality more or less. There are combinations of lenses and teleconverters (mostly long and fast lenses and good quality teleconverters) which work well, but in most cases you get the same - or sometimes a better -- result by cropping and enlarging the photo in post processing.
On the other hand, if it's a cheap one and has an "A" settings or it is an AF one, you can get the glass out from it and have a good macro extension ring from it

[starjedi]

Hi all,

i am in real trouble here.
just bought the K5iis, very happy with it!
i stumbled upon a Vivitar komine 90mm f/2.8, supposedly in good condition, for 180$.
i think that 180$ is a high, and i just bought a new camera...
as i am interested in macro shooting.
is it any good good for a beginner like me?
or should i look for something else.

your advice will be extremely helpful...

Thanks

It is a good macro lens. Very beautiful. With k5iis, you will have awesome combo for macro shot.

You can consider other more expensive alternatives like pentax 100wr, tamron 90 2.8, zeiss 100 f2 and tokina 90 2.5 et al in future. But vivitar 90 2.8 is a good startup for sure.

[ts357]

It is a good macro lens. Very beautiful. With k5iis, you will have awesome combo for macro shot.

You can consider other more expensive alternatives like pentax 100wr, tamron 90 2.8, zeiss 100 f2 and tokina 90 2.5 et al in future. But vivitar 90 2.8 is a good startup for sure.

Great info!
Thank you all again!

[ts357]

unfortunately the deal didnt go through as there was dust in the lens....

[boriscleto]

unfortunately the deal didnt go through as there was dust in the lens....

How much dust? It's takes a lot of dust to affect IQ at all.

[ts357]

I can't really quantity… but I was told the lens was mint, the seller didn't want to lower the price we discussed due to dust, so I decided to continue searching.
I really hope i wont regret it later…