Author: | | New Member Registered: March, 2021 Posts: 1 | Review Date: March 14, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | 1:1, sharpness | Cons: | handling - just 8 I have fd mount version | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: xt10
| | Some photos from vivitar 100 2.8 (kiron) fd mount | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2020 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 17 | Review Date: October 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | image quality, handling, value | Cons: | weight | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| | Found on ebay - marked Vivitar Series 1 105mm 2.5 and included original rectangular case. This one features A-mode on aperture ring. Using on Pentax K-3 DSLR and the camera meters well with this lens on A mode. Image quality for macro use is just stunning. Of course, it's at its best with a tripod and/or rail. In comparison, the Pentax-A 50 2.8 macro is easy to use due to its light weight. But this Vivitar offers a totally different experience, allowing you to stand further from subject if desired.
f10
Striking a pose for f4.5, 1/640 ISO 800
f22 1/6s ISO 200 tripod | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: December, 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 716 | Review Date: December 29, 2019 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp, quality, DoF, overall IQ | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: KP
| | I have the 100mm f2.8 version. I got lucky and found this on an auction site. It was so filthy you could only read a portion of the vanity plate and I won it for $90 US. It was in excellent condition and just needed cleaning up.
Though marked minimum focus is 2.45 feet, it focuses down to 6 inches for macros.
Overall just a fantastic lens with 1:1 macro. Sharp wide open with beautiful bokeh, great colors and contrast. Shooting macros at f2.8 and minimum focus distance is a bit tricky with such a shallow depth of field. A tripod or bracing on something is almost required. | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2019 Posts: 14 | Review Date: January 29, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3II
| | I love this lens. It's sharp, well-built, heavy ... and manual
Example picture:
@2.8 ISO 200 1/40s | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2014 Posts: 16 | Review Date: July 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $275.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Sharpness, Handling, Bokeh, integrated hood | Cons: | none | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-5
| | This was my first real macro lens. Absolutely pleasing image quality, nothing to complain about. The handling is very fine due to the long focus throw. Very solid build and quite heavy.
You get a very nice lens for little money. If you can live without autofocus, you maybe get the best price-performance ratio possible. I see no need for AF for a macrolens, itīs more bothering than useful in my opinion.
Iīve only used it for macro works. Never used it for medium or long distance.
Pictures are in my album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3NHXE8 | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 33 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: February 1, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $285.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Super sharp and a pleasure to use | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: k50
| | I'm hesitant to give anything straight 10's - but this lens is awesome! As a macro lens, the focus (magnification) is smooth and easy. Images are clear and the colors are vivid. Stopped down a little, it really becomes an impressive piece of glass. However, even wide open, images are useable if not respectable.
I purchased purely for macro use but have found it to be a handy little short telephoto lens as well. Even shots taken into the sun are well rendered. To my eye, it creates a very pleasing starburst. Minimal CA and fringing - even with sun glare on the water and snowy trees against a deep blue sky. | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 81 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: March 16, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $246.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp, IQ, build quality | Cons: | Out of production | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5
| | This lens looks and performs AMAZING !
I was lucky to buy one in mint condition (with brand new box, leather bag, manual and of course...lens itself).
I have nothing but good words about this lens and i will update the photo collection at the following adress: https://www.flickr.com/photos/120508193@N05/sets/72157642434368763/
P.S. I wonder why some people post only coments and not pictures in a forum about photo gear like this ... | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2011 Location: Lodi Ca Posts: 29 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: November 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $201.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp, built like a tank | Cons: | little heavy-hard to find | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
| | Just picked up a Vivitar Kiron 100mm 2.8 Macro (basically the same lens as 105mm 2.5). Wow was I surprised how it performed! Built to last and as sharp or sharper than my 43mm 1.9 and DA70 limiteds. Highly recommend
| | | | New Member Registered: April, 2013 Posts: 16 | Review Date: May 31, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, overall IQ | Cons: | hmm... heavy, if it could be cons | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 5
Value: 10
| | First of all, its a macro lens not a lens with macro ability, because it's not everyday shooter. But I can imagine it as a portrait lens on one condition: your model is patient and does not move. And of course, his or her skin is perfect, unless you want to have a lot of work in Photoshop. Lens is extremely sharp and quite expensive, but worth every cent. | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Posts: 1 | Review Date: October 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | optical, solid, 1:1 macro, price | Cons: | heavy | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
| | I have buy a vivitar 105 2.5 series 1 from ebay. It very wonderful. please see my pictures http://fastpoin.pp.163.com | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 | Review Date: May 28, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $280.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Greatest macro lens | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| | I have most macro lenses, this is the last I bought, I am really happy with it. Very fast, great IQ, and easy to use. Some samples: Vivitar105-2.5-HooverFliesHavingSex-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr Vivitar105-2.5-MiniMosca1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr Vivitar105-2.5-AVEJA-Ocupada-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr Vivitar105-2.5-Mosca1-Crop-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr Vivitar105-2.5-Mosca2-crop-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr Vivitar105-2.5-Justa4thofjulyrose-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr PentaxGallery-Viv105-2.5macro-PassionFruitFlower3-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 170 | Review Date: December 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Sharp, sharp, sharp | Cons: | It's a work out | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | An absolute great lens. The macro is incredible. The colors and sharpness are fantastic.
Coupled with my K20D and Battery Grip, it can be a workout. But that isn't always a bad thing.
If you have the chance to buy one, do it!
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Posts: 2,902 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: November 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Build Quality, Handling, 2.5 Max Aperture, Sharp, IQ | Cons: | None | | Well, just an incredible lens, from the build quality to the rendered image quality, just a great professional choice for a macro lens. This lens is unbelievably sharp throughout and gets almost too sharp @ f/11~13, I have actually had to soften images in LR using a negative value for the clarity adjustment to take some of the sharpness out of the photo.
Shot with Kx @ f/11 using off camera hand-held flash Untitled by Joe.Penn, on Flickr
Shot with K5 @ f/13 using off camera hand-held flash Untitled by Joe.Penn, on Flickr
Shot with Kx @ f/11 using off camera hand-held flash Green Lacewing by Joe.Penn, on Flickr
Shot with K5 @ f/5 Flower Macro w/ Smooth Bokeh by Joe.Penn, on Flickr
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| | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2010 Location: The Black Hills Posts: 1,109 | Review Date: July 28, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharrrrrrp, well built, great bokeh. | Cons: | None for me. | | I join the bandwagon for this lens. Got it after reading reviews here and looking at lots of images taken with this Vivitar on line. It has lived up to everything I expected at at this price point, and beyond. I do not auto focus so no effect there. And the weight is no problem for me either. So far have taken more short telephoto shot than macros. I think it is great for both. Can't wait to do more Macro work, and learn more about it.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,042 | Review Date: March 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Very sharp, works well with AF360FGZ | Cons: | None | | I got this lens New Old Stock from Trader Jim. Like most Pentaxians, I knew of the reputation of this lens and its 3 variants as a legendary macro lens. There was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to acquire this lens as a brand new item. The lens, when it came, not only did it not disappoint, it astounded me. I have found that the lens works beautifully with the AF360FGZ, ring flash not really required. The results were so good that I passed up the opportunity to buy the Voigtlander SL 125 macro, it would have been splitting hairs trying to decide which lens to use. Additionally, the lens works a treat with the AF 1.7x adapter giving the option of autofocs wth this adapter. Together they sometimes produce a painting like effect resulting in beautiful shots.
The build quality is superb, its a pleasure just to look at, let alone use. I dont miss autofocus at all, just move the whole camera forward or back.
Also makes a great portrait lens wide open at 2.4, its just a touch soft wide open in the corners, giving a pleasing look to portraits, that would otherwise be brutally sharp.
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