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12-20-2010, 09:47 AM   #1
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Does the Vivtar 80-200mm F4.5 lens work with the Pentax K-x?

Trying to decide whether I should pick up the kit with the 55-200mm lens or just use this one that my dad has for his old ME. Money is kinda short so any money I can save would be nice, but the 55-200mm kit is only $60 more than the 18-55mm kit.

12-20-2010, 10:07 AM   #2
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If it is a K-mount lens it will work on a Pentax DSLR.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using-ma...x-dslrs-f.html

The biggest problem you might have with a Vivitar lens is the flange that protects the aperture lever. Many Vivitar lenses had a very long flange that hits the SDM connector in the lens mount. It needs to be removed or cut down to mount the lens. The lens might also have a "Ricoh" pin that can cause it to become stuck to the camera.

The first picture shows both the long flange and the Ricoh pin.






Last edited by boriscleto; 12-20-2010 at 10:13 AM.
12-20-2010, 10:24 AM   #3
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Thanks. If I end up having to shave stuff off, I'll probably just spend teh $60 and get the kit lens.
12-20-2010, 10:34 AM   #4
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The 55-200 is a fine kit lense but if the price is not very high i would go for the 50-300...if your vivitar lens has a K mount it works on the Kx..so you might want to save those 60 dollars..I'm not sure the autofocus is worth those 60 $, you may want to skip the 55-200, try the vivitar (maybe write a review for the database?)..if you are not convinced the lens can still be bought cheap second hand...

12-20-2010, 11:17 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Coeurdechene Quote
The 55-200 is a fine kit lense but if the price is not very high i would go for the 50-300...if your vivitar lens has a K mount it works on the Kx..so you might want to save those 60 dollars..I'm not sure the autofocus is worth those 60 $, you may want to skip the 55-200, try the vivitar (maybe write a review for the database?)..if you are not convinced the lens can still be bought cheap second hand...
It's 50-200 and 55-300. The 55-300 has a much better reputation than the 50-200 but it is $100 more than the 50-200 kit.
12-20-2010, 03:59 PM   #6
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Ended up just buying the kit with the 50-200. For $50 more it just seems like the better deal.
12-20-2010, 07:29 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by mojoe_24 Quote
Ended up just buying the kit with the 50-200. For $50 more it just seems like the better deal.
I just got that same kit about a week ago and I am very happy with it, I also have a Vivitar 70~210 lens that was on my old ME Super and I am in the process of shaving down the aperture protector, it is aluminum and it shouldn't be that hard to shave down, I just have to be extra careful and not get any shavings down into the lens. I have used it on my K-x but it was coupled on a 2X teleconverter and actually it works pretty well.
You will really like your kit and you will be really satisfied with the K-x and the performance it produces.
also remember this about your Vivitar lens, mathematically it equals to a 300mm when it is calculated for use on an APC camera such as your K-x, so in reality don't feel short changed by not buying the 55~300 lens kit.......you have one and didn't know it.
My 210mm lens on the teleconverter actually calulates to 620mm abd believe me...it actually works just fine.

12-20-2010, 08:17 PM   #8
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I have a Vivitar 80-200 F4 that I use on my K-x. (Okay lens that I mainly use for macro, but thinking of selling it...) I did need to cut down the flange, but it did not have the Ricoh pin.
There were only two screws holding the flange to the body, so I first removed the flange. Then I used metal shears to cut away most of the metal. Then used a dremel to file it down smoothly. Then touched it up w/ black. Works fine.
12-21-2010, 04:58 AM   #9
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Birddude007 wrote : I just have to be extra careful and not get any shavings down into the lens.
AAAGH!! Take it off first! Seriously, it's only a few seconds work and could save a lot of heartbreak.
01-10-2011, 02:48 AM   #10
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Someone gave me this vivitar 80-200 f4, but even though he said it was PK, I don't believe it is a Pentax mount at all (not just a "flange" issue). What mount is it?







01-10-2011, 09:10 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by shiner Quote
Someone gave me this vivitar 80-200 f4, but even though he said it was PK, I don't believe it is a Pentax mount at all (not just a "flange" issue). What mount is it?
Olympus OM
01-10-2011, 05:04 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by shiner Quote
Someone gave me this vivitar 80-200 f4, but even though he said it was PK, I don't believe it is a Pentax mount at all (not just a "flange" issue). What mount is it?






And that is a great example of images well displayed to aid in an answer to a question.

I have that very lens in a true Pentax K mount. It has been alter by having it's aperture lever cut off for metering in program modes. It was fun for about two weeks.
01-10-2011, 11:07 PM   #13
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Thanks! I think I'll return it to my friend.
01-10-2011, 11:26 PM   #14
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The major problem with manual zoom will be the SR. You will have to set focal length everytime you rotate the zoom unlike manual primes where you just have to set it once,
01-11-2011, 02:14 AM   #15
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Or try this:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/119297-what-fo...al-zoom-2.html

(Sorry to keep repeating this link!)
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