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New Member Registered: July, 2017 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2 | | Review Date: January 23, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $98.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, build and handling | | Cons: | Loose metrics ring | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D1H
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Just got mine today from eBay auction - Nikon AI-S mounted Dine edition rather than the PK Vivitar Series 1 or Ricoh branded version that I was hoping for, but I couldn't argue with the price ($98.00 included a "free" Nikon N50 SLR and SunPak thyristor flash). Sharp, well built, and it seems to easily live up to it's reputation for optical excellence. Very pleased with this purchase. My Nikon F>FujiX adapter is MIA, but here's a test shot I took with a battle-scarred Nikon D1H I had on my shelf:
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New Member Registered: July, 2016 Location: New York, NY. Posts: 1
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 13, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $165.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solid construction, sharpness, bokeh. | | Cons: | Chromatic aberration. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony a6000 + Zhongyi focal reducer.
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I like its solid construction, sharpness, great bokeh.
Great for macro, wildlife and portraiture.
As downside I could say its CA with open is pretty noticeably in my system, but nothing that post production wouldn't fix.
All the images here shot in RAW and unedited.
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Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2012 Location: Medina, OH Posts: 7,224
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 19, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $166.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness | | Cons: | weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3
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Thanks to ebay seller who accepted my offer of $166 for this macro lens. My copy is #40700538. Weaknesses are weight, which you must get used to, and the not very permanent printing on the body of the lens. You do need a tripod to use the lens, and I have been a miserable failure at hand holding for macro work. If you own this wonderful lens, don't think of it as only a macro. Its sharpness and bokeh make it a great landscape and portrait lens as well.
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Banned Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 360
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 4, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, colors | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5, K-1
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Best 100mm class 1:1 K mount lens ever.
Mounted on K-1 in pixel shift mode beat them all under the same parameters and conditions.
End of review.
Appendix: Top 100mm K mount lenses
1. Kiron 105mm f/2.8
2. Pentax-A 100mm f/2.8
3. Pentax F/FA/D-FA/D-FA WR 100mm f/2.8
4. Everything else
Have a nice day!
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Senior Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Posts: 177
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 20, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, sharpness, contrast, bokeh (mentioned again) | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5, K3, K1
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I have had this lens for 3 or 4 years now and have been using it regularly for macro photography. I absolutely love this lens and really can't find anything wrong with it! Having bought my K1 recently, I intend to use it for portraits as well.
Below is an example of this lens - I use focus stacking to shoot this mushroom.https://www.flickr.com/photos/naim-khan/28153455730/in/dateposted-public/ | |
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New Member Registered: May, 2015 Location: Poland, Lublin Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 11, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $158.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, colors, building. | | Cons: | ??? None... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5 II
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Version : Kiron 105/2,8 PKA.
Very, very sharp. Fantastic for macro. Solid.
No comment... 
My first sample:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133399258@N08/albums/72157656142095134 | |
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Moderator Registered: March, 2015 Location: Central Florida Posts: 6,092
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 6, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $140.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp! Great color rendition | | Cons: | slightly heavy but not enough to be bothersome. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: K50
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Yes this baby is a bit on the heavy side, but as others mentioned build like a tank! I was fortunate to come across an absolutely impeccable one, not even a speck of dust visible. Amazing price really considering the condition, very lucky to have come across it. What a beautiful and sharp (!!) image, and the colors are wonderful. Could well become my new favorite macro lens ever. | |
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Senior Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: HI Posts: 168
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 9, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Exceptional image quality, very sharp ad nice contrast | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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I have gone through a collection of vintage macro lens a few year back and this is the one and only lens remains now. I have owned other legendary macro lens including the Vivitar 55 2.8 and Vivitar S1 70-210 v3 which are great lens, but this lens stands out to be the best of all. It is great with macro shot and a very good portrait lens too. Bokeh might look a little busy when use for portrait but it is very smooth when you need to shoot macro. If you see this lens for a bargain price, go grab it.
On another note, this is a well built lens and mean to last. I have the Lester Dine version of this lens which comes with a film camera and a macro flash. It was a nice kit that comes with a carrying case.
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New Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 16
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k5-II
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This macro lens allow to do the "Finger Painting" technnique, is extremely sharp, high recommend, sorry for my poor english https://www.flickr.com/photos/cesarchimey/14932029754/ | |
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Site Supporter Registered: September, 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 37
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 19, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $425.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, long throw focus, contrast, bokeh, 1.1 macro | | Cons: | None! | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 5-IIs
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Whilst it has all been said already, it can't be said enough that this is a fantastic lens - by far the best lens I have in my kit! The contrast is to die for, and the bokeh is very smooth, though on rare occasions it can get a bit 'busy' in certain light. I also have the Pentax 100mm f2.8 WR macro, and though a very good lens, for me the Kiron has the edge in contrast and bokeh.
Some have mentioned the weight as being an issue. As a dedicated macro lens, I find that I nearly always use it on a tripod with a wired remote and a 2 sec delay. Works a treat and the weight therefore tends to be a non issue.
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Senior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 147
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 31, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Long focus throw, Contrasty colors, Solid build, 1:1 macro | | Cons: | Heavy? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I have the Lester A. Dine copy of this beauty, which I purchased from a forum member (Thanks, Dave). After having this lens for about a week I told my wife that I wanted to marry it and have babies with it. That did not go over as well as I'd hoped.
It feels really solid handheld and manual focusing is a pleasure. The focus throw is long enough that getting accurate focus is doable except at the shallowest of DOFs.
I've never tested the sharpness at every aperture but anything past f/3.5 has been great for me. This was my first macro lens so the shallow depth of field did take some time to get used to. A steady tripod is a must if you want to get serious with this baby. I also prefer using a remote to trip the shutter but you could just as well use the self-timer.
To those who say it is too heavy -- that is hogwash. You can still take some excellent shots handheld on a bright day. I took this picture of a dragonfly with no extra equipment (flash or tripod). Of course burst mode helps with these kinds of shots.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44226066@N05/9674181293/
Overall, great lens. Worth every penny of the $300.  | |
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Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: BC - On the 49th parallel Posts: 235
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 27, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $123.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Macro ability, colour rendition | | Cons: | Heavy, a little cumbersome | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
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Kiron 105mm Macro f2.8
Bought it in Feb 2007 for $123 at auction...along with a Pentax P3n for that price.
Was bowled over by it's wonderful colour renditioning and sharpness - I find it to be a great portrait lens in addition to it being great for Macro work.
It is naturally a bit heavy, but this is a minor complaint. It did discourage me from taking it on a long trip recently, but when I want a good portrait lens, or do Macro photography this is definitely my go-to lens. I don't think I will let it go as long as I shoot Pentax. It's that good.
Feels like a quality piece as well to me. Definitely worth seeking out.
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Veteran Member Registered: December, 2009 Location: USA - Delaware Posts: 435
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp even wide open, smooth long throw focus ring, heavy quality all metal built | | Cons: | absolutely none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Im reviewing the Vivitar Series 1 105mm F2.5 version. One of the best quality lens I've ever used. Focus is precise and the focus ring is a joy to use. Super sharp even at F2.5. Amazing quality built. Some people complain the lens doesn't perform great for portraits. Not in my experience. Bokeh is creamy and it creates nice 3D portraits when shot at F2.5.
The only downside I can think of is that it is quite heavy and long when focused at the minimum focus distance. This can be a problem if you are shooting handheld and holding the camera w one hand and flash gun in the other. However, that will be a problem with any macro lens of this focal length.
Amazing lens. Buy one if you get a chance!
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Senior Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 129 | | Review Date: March 25, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Scapel sharp! Great macro! fantastic color! Built like a tank. | | Cons: | Lettering wearing off. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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I have the Kiron version of this lens This lens is magical!! It does not take a bad shot once you focus it right. It is really sharp and the bokeh is creamy and dreamy. My friends are all asking what lens i am shooting with that gives such amazing pictures. I purchased this after reading the reviews here and I can say this is a lens I wont ever sell! Amazing. Cant wait to use it more and more each day.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/13469708415_888cba6fdb_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/12785482615_0b441b9cf9_b.jpg
One of the Best lens I own hands down. I recommend you get one especially if you like manual focusing.
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Junior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 11, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb image and build quality. | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Perhaps Kiron's finest lens. It's incredible. I have three of them. Weighs a ton? I think not! It is very well built and will last you and your grandchildren a lifetime. I know many macro shooters that prefer this lens over the modern day equivalents.
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