| Author: | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 10, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | sharp lens | | Cons: | because of only achromatic element some CAs wide open | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: pentax k-5 Fuji x-t100 x-e1
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This is an optical 5/4 element construction with an achromatic element in front./same construction as Tokina and Super Carenar 3.5/200 and under other brands.
O Inspite of lens hood some flare wide open - against the sun light
+/++ sharpness stopped down a few good to very good
+ neutral color rendition
-/ O wide open some visible CAs
+ stopped down good CA correction
Its front elements are easy to scew away  so that you'll get a phantastic macro pre-lens-adpater for tele-zooms 
7.5 points totally für this fine lens at a low price
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,854
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 22, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Solid Construction, contrast, depth of field | | Cons: | Heavy - purple CA - flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Spotmatic, K-5ii
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Good telephoto, sharp and contrasty, especially after f/5.6
Built like a tank, heavy, with nice optics, and a diaphragm with 8 blades on the iris
I bought mine several years ago at a estate sale for next to nothing, and is the rubber-diamond version with green numbers.
Focusing at 2m is an advantage
Used it in the Spotmatic and film cameras with good results.
It is a heavier than the Takumar 200/4 and it is more prone to flaring it has the built-in hood that helps with that a little; a good UV filter can help as well.
The color transmission is very good, pictures have nice tonality which is hard to describe
However, in DSLRs CAs are noticeable, and not just in the edge. Purple fringing appears even at the center.
Closing the lens down to f/5.6 helps and at f/8 to f/16 they are almost imperceptible
All in all a good alternative to the Takumar 200
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2015 Location: Bude, Cornwall, England Posts: 1 | | Review Date: May 9, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $34.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great quality | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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This model is of great value to my image producing hobby, excellent quality construction and optics, It is now being put to work on a digital camera
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2017 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: November 16, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Well built, ease of use, decent sharpness from 5.6 | | Cons: | soft and very low contrast wide open, extend quite a bit at closest focus | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Panasonic G80
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I don't find this lens heavy as others seem to, I would say more 'sturdy' or solid. It's really nicely built, feels nice in hand, very smooth focus ring. It does extend quite a bit when focusing closer, but it's actually very tidy and short for a 200mm 3.5 when focused to infinity.
It's not great wide open, certainly not sharp - terrible purple and blue fringing, low contrast and a hazy glow to images - BUT, stopped down to 5.6 things improve drastically, [there is still slight CA but easily corrected] and it's tack sharp at F8. Just consider it more a 200 5.6, ignore the 3.5 for all but artsy images where you're not concerned on the sharpness or contrast and you'll get along much better with it. In good light, as with many of these old tele lenses, it's fine - not very good for low light
If you can get a nice copy cheap, then why not, just be aware of it's limitations
I find the bokeh pleasant, it's not busy or distracting, nice and smooth. Images from this lens really only come alive with some PP, they get much punchier with a kick of contrast and clarity, keep any sharpening to minimum. After some careful PP images have lovely vibrance. There are certainly much better 200mm offerings, but if you only plan to shoot 5.6+ then you could do a lot worse for the money.
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2017 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 16, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $11.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp stopped down a bit, high quality made, built in hood | | Cons: | heavy, soft wide open, incompatibility problems with k-x (just me?) | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: k-x
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My copy is PK-mount almost mint.
Somehow the aperture ring gets stuck wide open after the first shot or first metering reading from the green button in my k-x, lens is not broken as when I remove it from the camera body the apreture ring works again.
Anyway, I have found a work around by attaching the lens to the camera body just half of the way, the downside is that the viewfinder gets darker when stopping down the lens, but it works.
lens is very sharp when stopped down a bit, too soft in my opinion wide open but usable, pretty heavy.
I am very happy overall for the price I paid | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: February 13, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build, image quality, sharpness, contrast, price, built-in hood. | | Cons: | Weighty, single-coated, built-in hood. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony a6000
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The previous reviews all but hit every pro and con of this gem of a lens. I had already acquired a fine 200mm f/4 telephoto and wasn't interested in this one. But the Komine-made 135mm f/2.8 was so good, and the noise generated by this one got me curious. I was floored by the performance from this underrated and relatively low-priced lens. If you enjoy the 135, the 200 is even better. It's basically the big brother in appearance too. This is the 1971 issue, with aluminum ribbed focus barrel. Later ones have rubber grip.
It should be noted...
The Komine version came in both green and orange meter numbers. Elsewhere, it is quoted that the orange numbered version is made by Kino Precision, and is the best version. There may be in fact such a version made, but orange numbers isn't not a definite indication it's a Kino.
Review below claimed the SMC Takumar 200 f/4 is superior. Bear in mind, this model is only single-coated optics. So it's no surprise if a MC lens will do better under certain conditions. I have a M42 SMC Tak 200 on its way and will compare for myself. It will have to live up to its legendary Takumar status to put this Komine in the shadow. This one is that good! It's a best buy recommendation.
Yes, the focusing is more heavily damped. The built-in hood is a nice feature, but they are too shallow. These Komines 135/200 would benefit from a deeper threaded hood.
At the current prices, it's a steal. I fell upon a 2nd one for just $15. So bargain finds are out there.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 9
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 14, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, sharpness, focal range, cheap | | Cons: | Heavy, flares, minor CA, no close focus | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-x
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Came across this lens in a thrift shop for $10, did a quick check here and wow...great lens for the money!
This isn't a lens I would recommend to just anybody, too unwieldy, doesn't deal well with bright light sources and all manual. Has an M42 mount as well, so it's really for the odd lens enthusiast. Personally, I like this lens because I like working with prime lenses, this a pretty long lens for a prime, so it adds to the range of primes I have to play with. I am also fond of under-valued lenses because I'm a hobbyist on a very limited budget.
Now, the downsides: this thing is long and heavy. It's made of thick aluminum all around, so it handles like a firearm. The f-stop ring is narrow and too close to the body to get a good grip. On my copy, it's a little stiff, so making changes to the aperture is not much fun.
The focus throw is, however, awesome and a joy to use.
It tends to flare, and I suspect because some of the major lens elements are uncoated, it tends to do the kind of flare that results in a loss of contrast toward the light source. It does have a built-in lens hood, it helps some, but the lens just doesn't handle situations where flare is a problem very well.
What's really great about this lens is the contrast and sharpness, and it really shines in picking up detailed images at a medium distance (it doesn't focus any closer than 6 feet). That said, it has what I consider to be a great focal range: you are able to isolate your subject at distances from 6 to 50 feet. That is very useful for composing subjects you can't get too close to.
Does some pretty nice bokeh, I think. There are 8 blades, in a lot of circumstances, that's going to look pretty circular. It will show diffraction at some apertures, giving the bokeh an outline.
In a more conventional telephoto mode, it gives a pretty sharp image...there was a bit of haze on the day I took this, the quality is not bad.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 2,176
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 13, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness and built like a tank | | Cons: | Not a bayonet with an "A" setting | |
Another winner from the archives of Vivitar is this Komine lens. It is built to last forever. Sharp at 3.5 and becomes a razor by f4. It is on a par with my M200 f4, if not better. It is a lot heavier than the M200 though. Just wish it were a bayonet with an "A" setting.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Location: Belo Horizonte Posts: 17 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 100 | | Review Date: October 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | IQ, color, included lens hook, f3.5 | | Cons: | handling | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 6
Value: 9
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Bought it one month ago with nearly perfect condition, only a few dust in first lens.
Wonder if my hand is small or not, but i fell a little hard to handling the lens. Use with my K5, i have focus then step down to f8 but the aperture ring is small and slipery.
Anyway, it's very good 200mm fix lens.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: May, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 52 | | Review Date: October 12, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | IQ, Bokeh, Colors | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 8
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Heavy, but not too much. At first, i was concerned that it would bent the adapter, but to my surprise adapter handled its weight without problems. Still, tripod mount would have been nice (tripod collar will do).
Focus ring on my copy is bit stiff, so there's always a risk that lens may unscrew from the adapter. Other than that, the lens is very good.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,880 | | Review Date: July 23, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | grwat image quality, smooth focising, built in hood | | Cons: | heavy | |
Had to add my 2 cents here. I have the ribbed focus ring version, no idea what year it was made.
Got this lens in an online auction, great price and consider it my best lens, if you discount the Pentax 50's.
I can't say anything bad about this lens, even the weight is not a big problem, except when it hangs around my neck for a couple of hours. It's always the one on the K-x when I leave the house. Always.
Great image quality, nice bokeh, sharp and always a pleasure to use.
I've posted many shots on the forums using this lens, this bluejay is one of the best. Shot at f8 about 20 feet away, I only got 3 shots before it flew away, all were nice but this one really pleased me. Cropped, this is about half the original photo.
Click image to view larger size.
This lens can consistently get shots this good, as long as I can get decent focus...
I love this lens, I'd love to have a 300mm prime just like it...
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,622
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 6, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | smooth focus ring, fast f/3.5, built in hood | | Cons: | lack of contrast, some PF | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 7
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I was thrilled to have scored a nearly new copy of this lens, the Komine version.
I must say, for the price, this is great, but I also have the S-M-C Takumar 200/4 which is in the $100 range and is a better lens. In my side by side comparisons, the Tak has better sharpness throughout the aperture range and has better contrast than this vivitar.
Nevertheless, this is still a very nice tele lens.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 30 | | Review Date: December 11, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Close focus, IQ, build quality, built-in shade, price | | Cons: | Bokeh chromatic aberration, only f/3.5 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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This review is for the earlier version of this lens (with metal rib focus collar) on a 14MP APS-C digital body. The lens has very clean glass, but the body shows it has been bumped many times (minor body scratches).
I avoided Vivitar in the late 1970s, but the quality of the telephoto M42 Vivitars I've recently purchased is simply excellent. I have two 135mm f/2.8 that are both outstanding, and this 200mm is even better... despite the fact that more than half of the $20 cost was for shipping it to me.
First, it is worthwhile pointing out that this lens is simply a joy to use. Everything is well thought out -- the close focus ability, built-in hood, smoothness of focus, general balance of the lens on a camera. I find that I can hand-hold this lens at longer than 1/30s even without shake reduction.
Image quality also is impressive. Wide open things have just a hint of softness, but at least for APS-C the entire frame is consistent and usable. Quality remains high at close focus, and everything just gets better if you stop down a little. Colors are solid for a telephoto, with good contrast.
Bokeh are very nice... but with heavy bokeh chromatic aberration. There isn't much CA on this lens at all, but things before and after the focus point get very significant color fringes around them. The effect is typically hidden unless photographing things like writing on a chalkboard, but this is the main reason this lens isn't a 10. Only f/3.5 is the other reason.
Here's a simple example of the bokeh CA of this lens at its worst. No, the tree branches were not painted yellow or blue. This is so extreme that it could be argued that the bokeh CA are a tool that can be used to add interest to an otherwise boring shot.
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1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp with good color rendition and a pleasing bokeh | | Cons: | Some might find it a wee bit heavy...I like the heft of the lens | |
The lens came with some other Vivitars with a camera body I bought.I was going to sell the Vivitars till I shot this lens and I was more then surprised at the image quality of this lens...definitely a keeper...in fact this lens inspired me to buy numerous other Vivitars especially the late 70's to early 80's Series I Vivitars.
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