Vivitar 50mm 1.7

gifthorse · 09-30-2013, 06:17 PM

The Pentax Lens Reviews list the Vivitar 50mm 1.7 at $119. This is considerably more than either the Pentax A or M. I already have an M and a Sears 50mm 1.7 but I can pick up the Vivitar for @$20. Ebay has several of these lenses for @$25 (+shipping). Is this lens really worth picking up?

causey · 09-30-2013, 06:24 PM

It's a very good lens, yes. Most 50mm/1.7-8 are very good lenses. If you don't have another fifty, you are definitely not going to regret getting this one for 20 bucks.

vonBaloney · 09-30-2013, 06:31 PM

Just don't think you're going to sell it for $100+ or anything...prices in the reviews mean very little...

lguckert79 · 09-30-2013, 06:33 PM

I have one and I love it you have to use the stop down metering but other than that its a good lens

vonBaloney · 09-30-2013, 06:33 PM

Rikenon XR 50/1.7 is a great lens you can often get for about that also...

macTak · 10-01-2013, 02:07 AM

The price in the reviews section is rubbish--$20 is about the going fair rate for one. I'm sure it's a good lens, but when you can get the excellent Pentax M50/1.7 for the same price (or $5-10 more), there is little reason (except curiosity or an addiction to 50mm lenses, as some of us have) to get the Vivitar. Considering you already have two others, I see little reason to pick up another; I doubt it will be that differnt. It might actually be the same maker and optic as your Sears lens.

gifthorse · 10-01-2013, 09:53 AM

I do appreciate the replies, everyone. I already have several 50mm 1.7 lenses. I was just surprised at the price compared to Pentax, Yashinon, Mamiya, etc. I know Vivitar is generally held in high regard and wondered if there was something about this particular lens that really set it that far above the other similar lenses. I suppose I had better pay another visit to Dr. Jack Daniels and if he has a cure for my LBA yet.

vonBaloney · 10-01-2013, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by gifthorse

I do appreciate the replies, everyone. I already have several 50mm 1.7 lenses. I was just surprised at the price compared to Pentax, Yashinon, Mamiya, etc. I know Vivitar is generally held in high regard and wondered if there was something about this particular lens that really set it that far above the other similar lenses. I suppose I had better pay another visit to Dr. Jack Daniels and if he has a cure for my LBA yet.

SOME Vivitars are held in high regard -- they come from several different makers over decades. They had some crap lenses too, good to figure out just what you're getting first...

09-30-2013, 06:17 PM	#1
gifthorse Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Nevada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,950	Vivitar 50mm 1.7 The Pentax Lens Reviews list the Vivitar 50mm 1.7 at $119. This is considerably more than either the Pentax A or M. I already have an M and a Sears 50mm 1.7 but I can pick up the Vivitar for @$20. Ebay has several of these lenses for @$25 (+shipping). Is this lens really worth picking up?

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09-30-2013, 06:24 PM	#2
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	It's a very good lens, yes. Most 50mm/1.7-8 are very good lenses. If you don't have another fifty, you are definitely not going to regret getting this one for 20 bucks.

09-30-2013, 06:31 PM	#3
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Just don't think you're going to sell it for $100+ or anything...prices in the reviews mean very little...

09-30-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601	I have one and I love it you have to use the stop down metering but other than that its a good lens

10-01-2013, 02:07 AM	#6
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	The price in the reviews section is rubbish--$20 is about the going fair rate for one. I'm sure it's a good lens, but when you can get the excellent Pentax M50/1.7 for the same price (or $5-10 more), there is little reason (except curiosity or an addiction to 50mm lenses, as some of us have) to get the Vivitar. Considering you already have two others, I see little reason to pick up another; I doubt it will be that differnt. It might actually be the same maker and optic as your Sears lens.

10-01-2013, 09:53 AM	#7
gifthorse Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Nevada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,950 Original Poster	I do appreciate the replies, everyone. I already have several 50mm 1.7 lenses. I was just surprised at the price compared to Pentax, Yashinon, Mamiya, etc. I know Vivitar is generally held in high regard and wondered if there was something about this particular lens that really set it that far above the other similar lenses. I suppose I had better pay another visit to Dr. Jack Daniels and if he has a cure for my LBA yet.

10-01-2013, 10:15 AM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by gifthorse I do appreciate the replies, everyone. I already have several 50mm 1.7 lenses. I was just surprised at the price compared to Pentax, Yashinon, Mamiya, etc. I know Vivitar is generally held in high regard and wondered if there was something about this particular lens that really set it that far above the other similar lenses. I suppose I had better pay another visit to Dr. Jack Daniels and if he has a cure for my LBA yet. SOME Vivitars are held in high regard -- they come from several different makers over decades. They had some crap lenses too, good to figure out just what you're getting first...