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Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2 Review RSS Feed

Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2

Sharpness 
 9.0
Aberrations 
 7.5
Bokeh 
 8.5
Handling 
 9.5
Value 
 9.5
Reviews Views Date of last review
2 22,544 Fri July 1, 2016
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $202.50 8.50
Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2

Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2
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Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2
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Description:
Vivitar 24mm lenses were made by several manufacturers, mainly Kiron (22xxxx), Komine (28xxxx), Tokina (37xxxx) and Cosina (9xxx), distinguishable by the serial numbers and name plates.

This is komine made, MC WIDE ANGLE name plate.
52mm filter.

Can be found as PK and M42 as well as other mounts of the era
Mount Type: Pentax K
Price History:



Add Review of Vivitar (komine 28xxx) MC WIDE ANGLE 24mm F2
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Junior Member

Registered: May, 2016
Location: South Florida
Posts: 36
Review Date: July 1, 2016 Recommended | Price: $85.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Well made, smooth focusing, fast F2 speed. Sharp in center
Cons: Soft in corners, loses contrast when shot wide open.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax K1   

I'm into shooting legacy lenses on my K1 and thought I'd give this Vivitar a try as it was much less expensive than an FA 24 F2. Overall I'm pleased with the lens. At F2 the contrast/sharpness is weak, but once stopped down to F4 the center is very sharp but the corners are a bit soft and prone to fringing (easily removed in post). This would be less of an issue if shot on a crop sensor camera. Even at F8 the corners are still not great but with a lens this wide, I'm not bothered. The center is scary sharp, better than my Nikon 24mm F2.8D. Using the hyperfocal chart, at F8 everything from about 5' to infinity is in focus, so lack of autofocus is no biggie with these wide lenses. Also if I set the K1 to center point focus, the camera gives a beep when the lens hits focus at that point, making accurate manual focus easier.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: November, 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,223

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 25, 2016 Recommended | Price: $320.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: 24mm/PkA, color, handling, price, construction, dreamy, and several others.
Cons: Wide open can be dreamy in bright light.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 9    Camera Used: K-3   

I got this lens after I asked in this forum about it. I had heard nothing about this lens. My copy has an additional legend in the front ring: RL Series. I have no clue about what that means.

I really like the Vivitars by Komine (series 28xxxxx) close focus (28mm f2 and 28mm f2.8). They are true gems. I thought this lens could be at the same level of those two and was interested. First, it is a close focus lens (min focussing distance is 30 cm, or 12 inches). The lens has good colors and behaves really nice. Wide open in a bright day outdoors, it could be "dreamy" and show spherical aberration. However, if you use it properly (with a CPL filter) or in the shadow and at close distance, this dreamy look created could be an asset. Stopped down, it is a fine lens. I reviewed this lens and compared it to one of the oldies (best Nikkor ever!) and a Leica FF camera. So, I am copying this review here for your benefit. I am keeping this lens. I think it is a good lens.

-------------------------------------
Thanks everyone for their comments. I already got the lens, it is mint and clean. So, there is no faulty characteristics that can make this lens behave erratically. So, let's see what I got. I took it for a ride around the house on my K3 (I will get the effect of a 36mm lens). I also took my Leica M (FF) with my stellar lens from the 1950s, the W-Nikkor-C 35mm f1.8 ltm to compare. I shot five subjects wide open (F2 for Vivitar, and F1.8 for Nikkor) and at f5.6. I will upload the results later on. However, here are my observations: The Vivitar 24/2 PKA is a close focus (30 cm, or 12" min.) with nice bookeh and relatively good resolution wide open. It is "Dreamy" ( low contrast and spherical aberrations) wide open, which could not be bad if you want some special effects with close subjects. Stopped down is just a regular very good lens. The Leica M9 and the Nikkor is one of the best combos and produces real nice shots. You will be the judge. I believe the level of quality of the Vivitar is good, but it does not match the Leica/Nikkor set. Please see for yourself and provide your input on this thread. If you have any advice, please go ahead and share. One of the things I am experimenting now is the use of a larger hood, and CPL filter to eliminate some of the stray light, especially during sunny days.

Vivitar@f2

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test1-f2 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor @f1.8

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test1@f1.8 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Vivitar @f5.6

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test1-f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor@f5.6

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test1@f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Vivitar @f2

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test3-f2 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor @f1.8

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test3@f1.8 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Vivitar @f5.6

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test3-f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor @f5.6

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test3@f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr



Vivitar @f2

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test5-f2 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor @f1.8

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test5@f1.8 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Vivitar @f5.6

PentaxK3-VivitarPKA24mmf2-Test5-f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Nikkor @f5.6
W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm-M9-Test5@f5.6 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


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