Author: | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 8 | Lens Review Date: September 14, 2019 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $10.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | very sharp, excellent lens, no CA's | Cons: | none | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-S1 k-x k200d Mz 5 sfx z20p
| | what a wonderfull lens !!!  
I've got the 15/10 elements version of Vivitar Serie 1
++ excellent sharpness
++ nice bokeh
+/++ wide open scarecely visible CAs - with f 8-11 none
++ excellent color rendition
++ high contrast
++ full metal / glass constuction
9.7 points for the first 3.5 version with macro 1:2
ps. with a 36 mm macro ring and focal reductor (2/1 elements of a 8x30 binocular fitted into a small macro ring !!!) I've got an excellent macro les 2.8/50-150 with exorbitant sharpness  
(very low price because of a small fungus at the edge of the front lens - not remarcable with APS-C.)
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2006 Location: New England Posts: 1,286 1 user found this helpful | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2016 Posts: 1 2 users found this helpful | Lens Review Date: June 4, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $65.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Very inexpensive | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D50
| | Look...I am just an amateur. In fact I put it on and love using the instant screen output of "what do I need to adjust next" It is completely manual and it does not take long to understand the moment. Lets face it , we do not need to take notes and develop the film now. It is a Fantastic lens with INSTANT feedback from the DSLR. The other day I took it out and had my boy stand for a few seconds, he was wanting to get on with skateboarding. I took the following in one take after a prior adjusting for light. I was 12 feet away with a hand held D50 Nikon and this is what I got...no editing...simple , pure result from a camera moron (actually i am intelligent) with no training or education in film.Thank you.
40 Year old Lens!! | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2015 Location: Toulon, South of France Posts: 302 | Lens Review Date: September 11, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $70.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | build quality, sharp, bright colors | Cons: | very heavy, has to be mod for dslr | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 10
| | I've not bought it yet but the seller lent it to me for testing, I have tested it on sea-side and will probably buy this 1st version (with the 67mm filter thread). This lens can produce fantastic photos for the price. The only bad thing is there is no tripod screw-mount on it as it is much heavier than the camera body, and it may take some training to realy master this beast, maybe more hours spent at the gym 
Also the model I have tested needs a mod to be mounted on a KAF2 mount, the aperture lever shield must be trimed or removed (3 screws to remove it).
Here are some photos taken this afternoon (I missed a lot of my shots because move blur comes very fast when you don't want to go over ISO 200). Found best results between f/5.6 - f/8 but it is still sharp wider, only focusing becomes harder at wide and the huge focusing cylinder is a bit to smooth. https://flic.kr/p/xxy42M https://flic.kr/p/ycY5AQ https://flic.kr/p/xxHL1T | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2013 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 118 4 users found this helpful | Lens Review Date: October 7, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $70.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Great contrast, sharpness, price, macro, colors, superb bokeh, quality of construction, constant f/3.5 | Cons: | heavy, no tripod collar, takes time to master | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | This is lens is so great that I own 4 copies of the lens it's self. The lens takes time to master the sliding and turning to focus. It is heavy and will make you want to go to the gym just so your arms won't be so tired.
This is lens is highly under estimated by newer photographer just because it doesn't have auto-focus. Their lost and my gain in this matter. The lens is really sharp when stopped down. It is one of my sharpest lens that I have and I take it everywhere. When used when used with the lens hood the aberrations is almost non-existent, what little is there can easily be removed in PP.
The bokeh is buttery and smooth wide open and still holds that value when stopped down. It can completely make the background look like a painting if used correctly.  JAH_2042_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr  JAH_2112_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr  JAH_2210_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr
| | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Posts: 257 | Lens Review Date: March 24, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Good output when done right | Cons: | Muted contrast at default settings | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| | I have the series 1 version.
Overall this is a really nice lens and performs rather well. Aberrations are a problem for this lens in my view, but LR4 cleans these up nicely.
Since this is the heaviest (and longest) lens I own, I don't pack it much. When I have used it, however, it has performed well.
I was bored the other day so I took some test shots. On a tripod with 2s mirror up, LV focused, default lightroom settings.
1:2 crop of this lens at about 100mm f5.6: 
And here is a 1:2 crop of my Pentax D FA 100mm Macro at f5.6: 
As you can tell not exactly at the same focal length.
| | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 38 1 user found this helpful | Lens Review Date: June 2, 2012 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
| | I very recently took Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/2.8-4 (third edition-Komine model) out for a shoot this last Memorial Day (2012). I had forgotten how very good this lens is. Yes, it's a tad heavy, compared to modern lenses, but the optical quality and build construction is superb. I burned a roll of Portra 400 with it. The neg's and scans are great! No post processing on the snaps. This is one very sharp and well built zoom.   | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 1 user found this helpful | Lens Review Date: May 12, 2012 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | GREAT IQ | Cons: | WEIGHT? | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
| | I have the Kiron (ver. 1) and the Komine (ver. 3), both lenses are very good and I recommend them. The Komine is easier to use because of the PkA. The Kiron is probably a better lens, but it is heavier, and to use the macro, you have to push a button and rotate it. The Kiron requires stopping down with the green button (or with the on/off switch on the K5). It is easier to use on the K5 because of that. I paid four times what I paid for the Kiron to get the Komine. Here are couple of photos:
These ones were taken with the Kiron, my first shot with it. Not to bad for chasing a bee:  VivitarS170-210-3.5(KironV1)-Bee-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr  VivitarS170-210mmf3.5(Ver.1-Kiron)-LemonsToBe1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
These ones were taken with the Komine:  Dredging by Palenquero, on Flickr  Train by Palenquero, on Flickr  VivitarDana2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr  VivitarDana9-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr  VivSeries170-210-f2.8-4-Dana7-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | New Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 8 | Lens Review Date: May 12, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $185.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Well built, Image Quality, Great macro (for a zoom), f/2.8 | Cons: | some aberation on the Kx toward the long end of the zoom | | Very pleased with this lens. Very sharp. I have the third version (Kommie) with no "A" switch. The focus feels as smooth as any of the good Pentax lenses I have used over the years. This one is a keeper!  | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Posts: 2,902 1 user found this helpful | Lens Review Date: April 21, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp!!!, Build Quality, 2.8 | Cons: | Prone to aberration mid~long on Digital Bodies | | Konime Version w/ A setting
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Can't say enough about this lens, it is a great performer. I have noticed a mention or two about the color rendition of the images being off, THAT IS 100% INACCURATE, this lens produces spot on color, on every single shot taken with this lens. Other users of this lens compares the color accuracy compared to newer lenses that do not produce accurate color renditions on digital cameras.
The only downside of this lens is the aberration, typically when shooting on the long end, and not present when I use this lens to shoot film on my ME Super or Super Program. I give it a 9.5 rating, since there is no 1/2 increments on the ratings system, I will bump it to a 10. | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: Sacramento Posts: 131 1 user found this helpful | Lens Review Date: April 10, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | sharp, multiple uses, built like a tank | Cons: | heavy, zoom creep. | | I just received this lens and will add to the review as I gain experience. First, it is one of the lenses that was built to last. Solid construction throughout means that if it's dropped, check your floor for damage before you check the lens. It benefits from the use of a tripod as the lens weighs enough that it is really difficult to maintain a steady focus. I'll be adding a hood to lessen flare which has not actually been a big problem (so far). The zoom has a tendency to creep down if the lens is angled to the ground, which, as the lens is "of a size", is fairly often. I'm so far impressed with the contrast and the versatility of this lens. Shots below were handheld in full sunlight. | | |