Vivitar lens help - won't fit

Hazcat · 02-25-2016, 02:30 PM

I just came into possession of two Vivitar lenses. A 70-210 4.5 and a 28-85 3.5-4.5. They are marked P/K-A. They will fit into the mount om my KS-2 but I cannot turn them to lock them into place. Is there a 'trick' or are they simply not usable on my rig?

Not a Number · 02-25-2016, 02:40 PM

The problem with many Vivitar lenses is the flange protecting the auto-aperture lever is too long. With some lenses the flange is held on with screws and can be removed. With others you have to cut or grind it down.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/140226-v...k20d-crap.html

Jonathan Mac · 02-25-2016, 02:42 PM - **1 Like**

Does the back of the lens look like this?

Some Vivitar lenses have a very long flange which is completely unnecessary. It bangs into the part inside the K-mount where what were the power-zoom contacts (now focus motor contacts) are. These lenses can be mounted on manual focus SLRs fine but can damage AF film or digital SLRS.

I removed the metal piece and cut it down to what you see below. The back piece can be just removed but that leaves the aperture lever unprotected and the back of the lens open for dust to enter.

Hazcat · 02-25-2016, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Does the back of the lens look like this?

Some Vivitar lenses have a very long flange which is completely unnecessary. It bangs into the part inside the K-mount where what were the power-zoom contacts (now focus motor contacts) are. These lenses can be mounted on manual focus SLRs fine but can damage AF film or digital SLRS.

I removed the metal piece and cut it down to what you see below. The back piece can be just removed but that leaves the aperture lever unprotected and the back of the lens open for dust to enter.

Yep! Looks just like that with the long flange. Did you just dremmel it off? It looks like there are two screws on the black part of the back with the long flange. Do I remove the part with the flange this way then 'dremmel' it down?

**othar** · 02-25-2016, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Hazcat

It looks like there are two screws on the black part of the back with the long flange. Do I remove the part with the flange this way then 'dremmel' it down?

Definitly remove it first or you might damage the glas elements. I just removed the flange and didn't trimm it. till now (1 1/2 years) I never had a problem but as Jonathan said the aperture lever will be unprotected

Hazcat · 02-25-2016, 03:38 PM

Not a number, Johnathon and Othar, THANK YOU!

Jonathan Mac · 02-25-2016, 10:55 PM

No Dremel involved, though that might be an option. Remove that part before cutting it though, otherwise you will certainly badly damage the rear lens element. In my case I held it with pliars and cut it with a small circular saw. Messy but effective. Then it was smoothed down a it with a file.

osv · 02-26-2016, 10:47 AM

i paint it with a flat black after the cut, in case there are any reflections.

02-25-2016, 02:30 PM	#1
Hazcat Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 28	Vivitar lens help - won't fit I just came into possession of two Vivitar lenses. A 70-210 4.5 and a 28-85 3.5-4.5. They are marked P/K-A. They will fit into the mount om my KS-2 but I cannot turn them to lock them into place. Is there a 'trick' or are they simply not usable on my rig?

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02-25-2016, 02:40 PM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The problem with many Vivitar lenses is the flange protecting the auto-aperture lever is too long. With some lenses the flange is held on with screws and can be removed. With others you have to cut or grind it down. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/140226-v...k20d-crap.html

02-25-2016, 02:42 PM - 1 Like	#3
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Does the back of the lens look like this? Some Vivitar lenses have a very long flange which is completely unnecessary. It bangs into the part inside the K-mount where what were the power-zoom contacts (now focus motor contacts) are. These lenses can be mounted on manual focus SLRs fine but can damage AF film or digital SLRS. I removed the metal piece and cut it down to what you see below. The back piece can be just removed but that leaves the aperture lever unprotected and the back of the lens open for dust to enter.

02-25-2016, 02:56 PM	#4
Hazcat Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 28 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Does the back of the lens look like this? Some Vivitar lenses have a very long flange which is completely unnecessary. It bangs into the part inside the K-mount where what were the power-zoom contacts (now focus motor contacts) are. These lenses can be mounted on manual focus SLRs fine but can damage AF film or digital SLRS. I removed the metal piece and cut it down to what you see below. The back piece can be just removed but that leaves the aperture lever unprotected and the back of the lens open for dust to enter. Yep! Looks just like that with the long flange. Did you just dremmel it off? It looks like there are two screws on the black part of the back with the long flange. Do I remove the part with the flange this way then 'dremmel' it down?

02-25-2016, 03:24 PM	#5
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by Hazcat It looks like there are two screws on the black part of the back with the long flange. Do I remove the part with the flange this way then 'dremmel' it down? Definitly remove it first or you might damage the glas elements. I just removed the flange and didn't trimm it. till now (1 1/2 years) I never had a problem but as Jonathan said the aperture lever will be unprotected

02-25-2016, 03:38 PM	#6
Hazcat Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 28 Original Poster	Not a number, Johnathon and Othar, THANK YOU!

02-25-2016, 10:55 PM	#7
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	No Dremel involved, though that might be an option. Remove that part before cutting it though, otherwise you will certainly badly damage the rear lens element. In my case I held it with pliars and cut it with a small circular saw. Messy but effective. Then it was smoothed down a it with a file.

02-26-2016, 10:47 AM	#8
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	i paint it with a flat black after the cut, in case there are any reflections.