Vivitar 13mm f2.8 K mount - $199 B&H

Vivitar 13mm f2.8 K mount - $199 B&H · 11:38 AM

I saw this deal from B&H, im pretty sure its the same as a samyang 14mm, which is highly reviewed. Its very tempting as a ultra wide astrophotography lens.

Vivitar Series 1 13mm f/2.8 Ultra Wide Aspherical Lens VIV13MMP

MarkJerling · 11-03-2014, 12:33 PM

Interesting! I wonder if anyone has done a review on this lens?

Pablom · 11-03-2014, 12:35 PM

I've always wondered if they did something to make it 13mm or is it just a big fat lie

Doundounba · 11-03-2014, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by Pablom

I've always wondered if they did something to make it 13mm or is it just a big fat lie

I read at one point that it's because the actual FL is something like 13.5mm. Most versions round up and are labelled 14mm, but the Vivitar one says 13mm... Great price BTW. I had that lens at one point, but found it very heavy on my K-01 and the distortion was a bit much. But supposedly great choice for astrophotography.

redcat · 11-03-2014, 02:47 PM

well, for wide angle, I think Pentaxians are extremely pleased with DA 15, it's not very fast but sharp and the close focus is something to consider.

y0chang · 11-03-2014, 05:12 PM

Yes remember all the samyangs are manual focus. The 15 limited is a special lens but even on sale is 2.5 times the price of this and 1 stop slower

---------- Post added 11-03-14 at 07:14 PM ----------

The advantage for astro work is a large aperture, and samyangs are very well corrected for coma and chromatic aberrations. Which is very important for star field photography.

redcat · 11-20-2014, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by First Poster

the same as a samyang 14mm

if it's the same as the Samyang 14, it'd be a very very good wide angle lens as DXO rates this lens highly

vonBaloney · 11-20-2014, 08:58 AM

I knew I posted about this already, but apparently it was a different thread wondering the same thing:

The Vivitar is the same lens. Usual Samyang quality control iffiness though -- I exchanged mine three times before I got a copy I'm happy with. The current $199 deal is very good though. (Amazon and B&H)

reeko · 11-22-2014, 08:15 PM

I bought it on amazon, and though I haven't done too much with it I am quite happy with it so far

6BQ5 · 11-23-2014, 09:55 AM

Quick question : is it FF capable or only APS?

vonBaloney · 11-23-2014, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

Quick question : is it FF capable or only APS?

Full-frame

Na Horuk · 11-23-2014, 11:59 AM

Wait wait guys, these are NOT necessarily the same lenses. Vivitar makes another 13mm f2.8 lens. You can tell they are different because they have a different number of elements/groups. More info here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/106-ask-b-h-photo/108656-samyang-14mm-f2-8-a.html
B&H confirmed they are different lenses.

But there are next to no reviews of the Vivitar 13mm. I would really like to see a good comparison of the two lenses, which have very similar outside appearance and focal length/aperture. Maybe now with this sale someone will write a good comparison/review

vonBaloney · 11-23-2014, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Wait wait guys, these are NOT necessarily the same lenses. Vivitar makes another 13mm f2.8 lens. You can tell they are different because they have a different number of elements/groups. More info here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/106-ask-b-h-photo/108656-samyang-14mm-f2-8-a.html
B&H confirmed they are different lenses.

But there are next to no reviews of the Vivitar 13mm. I would really like to see a good comparison of the two lenses, which have very similar outside appearance and focal length/aperture. Maybe now with this sale someone will write a good comparison/review

I don't think so, they are simply wrong -- they have the wrong specs for some reason. It is the same lens. The B&H guy is just looking at his database. Anyone looking at the lenses side-by-side would conclude they are the same, and have the same FOV...

robtcorl · 11-23-2014, 01:45 PM

I bought this lens almost 2 years ago, Amazon Gold Box deal for $176.
Although it performed very well, it was too wide for my tastes, and seldom used.
I sold it on eBay earlier this year (used/mint) for $269.
So at $199 it's a very good deal.

note, it was a tighter fit on my K-5 than any other lens I own, but not a real problem, maybe just my copy.

vonBaloney · 11-23-2014, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by robtcorl

note, it was a tighter fit on my K-5 than any other lens I own, but not a real problem, maybe just my copy.

They are all like that.

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11-23-2014, 11:59 AM	#12
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Wait wait guys, these are NOT necessarily the same lenses. Vivitar makes another 13mm f2.8 lens. You can tell they are different because they have a different number of elements/groups. More info here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/106-ask-b-h-photo/108656-samyang-14mm-f2-8-a.html B&H confirmed they are different lenses. But there are next to no reviews of the Vivitar 13mm. I would really like to see a good comparison of the two lenses, which have very similar outside appearance and focal length/aperture. Maybe now with this sale someone will write a good comparison/review Last edited by Na Horuk; 11-23-2014 at 12:05 PM.

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11-03-2014, 12:33 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Interesting! I wonder if anyone has done a review on this lens?

11-03-2014, 12:35 PM	#3
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	I've always wondered if they did something to make it 13mm or is it just a big fat lie

11-03-2014, 12:42 PM	#4
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Originally posted by Pablom I've always wondered if they did something to make it 13mm or is it just a big fat lie I read at one point that it's because the actual FL is something like 13.5mm. Most versions round up and are labelled 14mm, but the Vivitar one says 13mm... Great price BTW. I had that lens at one point, but found it very heavy on my K-01 and the distortion was a bit much. But supposedly great choice for astrophotography.

11-03-2014, 02:47 PM	#5
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	well, for wide angle, I think Pentaxians are extremely pleased with DA 15, it's not very fast but sharp and the close focus is something to consider.

11-03-2014, 05:12 PM	#6
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793 Original Poster	Yes remember all the samyangs are manual focus. The 15 limited is a special lens but even on sale is 2.5 times the price of this and 1 stop slower ---------- Post added 11-03-14 at 07:14 PM ---------- The advantage for astro work is a large aperture, and samyangs are very well corrected for coma and chromatic aberrations. Which is very important for star field photography.

11-20-2014, 08:43 AM	#7
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	Originally posted by First Poster the same as a samyang 14mm if it's the same as the Samyang 14, it'd be a very very good wide angle lens as DXO rates this lens highly

11-20-2014, 08:58 AM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I knew I posted about this already, but apparently it was a different thread wondering the same thing: The Vivitar is the same lens. Usual Samyang quality control iffiness though -- I exchanged mine three times before I got a copy I'm happy with. The current $199 deal is very good though. (Amazon and B&H)

11-22-2014, 08:15 PM	#9
reeko Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 40	I bought it on amazon, and though I haven't done too much with it I am quite happy with it so far

11-23-2014, 09:55 AM	#10
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Quick question : is it FF capable or only APS?

11-23-2014, 10:38 AM	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by 6BQ5 Quick question : is it FF capable or only APS? Full-frame

11-23-2014, 01:15 PM	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Na Horuk Wait wait guys, these are NOT necessarily the same lenses. Vivitar makes another 13mm f2.8 lens. You can tell they are different because they have a different number of elements/groups. More info here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/106-ask-b-h-photo/108656-samyang-14mm-f2-8-a.html B&H confirmed they are different lenses. But there are next to no reviews of the Vivitar 13mm. I would really like to see a good comparison of the two lenses, which have very similar outside appearance and focal length/aperture. Maybe now with this sale someone will write a good comparison/review I don't think so, they are simply wrong -- they have the wrong specs for some reason. It is the same lens. The B&H guy is just looking at his database. Anyone looking at the lenses side-by-side would conclude they are the same, and have the same FOV...

11-23-2014, 01:45 PM	#14
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	I bought this lens almost 2 years ago, Amazon Gold Box deal for $176. Although it performed very well, it was too wide for my tastes, and seldom used. I sold it on eBay earlier this year (used/mint) for $269. So at $199 it's a very good deal. note, it was a tighter fit on my K-5 than any other lens I own, but not a real problem, maybe just my copy.

11-23-2014, 02:23 PM	#15
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by robtcorl note, it was a tighter fit on my K-5 than any other lens I own, but not a real problem, maybe just my copy. They are all like that.