testing my lenses - part 88 - Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm/3.5

WolverineX

Kiron made version

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

And thus its great reputation.

WolverineX · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:10 pm Post subject:

yes, i got it yesterday and it's already one of lenses that i really like

ilguercio · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:35 pm Post subject:

Sweet optics, what's the aperture in the first picture?

WolverineX · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:39 pm Post subject:

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

A LOT better than the Tokina made v2, the one of those I had was nowhere near this level.

WolverineX · Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 8:57 pm Post subject:

new samples made with Olympus E-M5

Smoli4 · Expire: 2013-06-07

WOW snail orgy for the win! Laughing

great capture.
im really hoping to own this lens some day... i think it is on par with modern zooms (like the canon 70-200 2.8 L) of that focal range only its a stop slower, but either way you get an awesome piece of glass!

WolverineX · Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject:

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

one of my favorites, also a Kiron. And I only paid �10 for it because PK lenses are not that saleable, the guy at the camera fair had two on sale, the Nikon was �20 Laughing

The only thing it lacks is a tripod bush, otherwise it has to be the best in its price range ?

WolverineX · Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 11:21 pm Post subject:

i got mine in OM mount for 400 kuna at local photo fair. that's about 44-45 �

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I think they sold really well back in the day, so there's still a lot around to keep prices sensible, especially in the 'less favored' mounts.

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

I won a Kiron made version in Olympus OM mount on ebay at the weekend for �17. I hope mine performs as well as yours! Very Happy

WolverineX · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:12 am Post subject:

kryss · Expire: 2017-09-18

I have a Kiron one in Minolta MD mount in EX+ condition I will sell for $50.00 + shipping if anyone interested pm me.Reason for sale I have 2 Tamron 19AH which I use most of the time but the Vivitar is still a fine lens.

heartcat · Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 371

Nice samples! And the close focusing feature is really nice.

I had the Kiron version and it performed well, but I ended up selling it because I felt that it was too heavy.

Ghost2501 · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 102 Location: Belgium

There's an auction for one in my country :

It seems that the grey part is a EOS adapter.
How to know if it's a Kiron one ?
Seller price starts at 45�.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

This list is generally accepted as being accurate,

So how do you know which factory really made which Vivitar lens? I have it on good authority from a proverbial "reliable source" that Vivitar used the same lens numbering coding system from at least 1970 to 1990, perhaps earlier and later, for all their 35mm lenses.

The 1st TWO digits generally indicate lens manufacturer, except serial numbers starting with 6 or 9, which are single digit lens maker codes

The 3rd digit indicates the year of manufacture. This is a bit confusing, as you have to know which decade a particular style and type of lens was made. 8 as the third digit might mean 1978, or 1988, or even 1998. Hopefully you know enough about your lens to guess its decade.

the 4th and 5th digits indicate the week of the year of manufacture, from 01 to 52

the digits thereafter indicate the manufacturing serial number

Vivitar Subcontracted Lens Makers
(1st two digits of serial number)
6 Olympus
9 Cosina
13 Schneider Optik
22 Kino (aka Kiron)
25 Ozone Optical
28 Komine
32 Makinon
33 Asanuma
37 Tokina
42 Bauer
44 Perkin Elmer (US)
47 Chinon
51 Tokyo Trading
56 Kyoe Schoji
61 Samyang (?)
75 Hoya Optical
77 Kobori
81 Polar

Ghost2501 · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 102 Location: Belgium

Thank you Lloydy Wink

WolverineX · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:36 pm Post subject:

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3462 Location: Northern Ireland

It seems that the grey part is a EOS adapter.

The 'grey part' as you call it looks to me like a Canon FD mount.

pooschey · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 21

I have the 19AH as well. How does it compare to the Vivitar?

kryss · Expire: 2017-09-18

The Vivitar is more robust and heavier than the Tamron and I think better made but I have found very little difference in the optical performance between the two but then I am a retired pro.I am sure someone will post and provide a lengthy technical post with why one is better than the other.I have about 80 + Tamron lenses and 6or 7 mounts for the various cameras I own so my basic lens selection is easy and I can use them on any of the cameras I am using that Day,the lens is in excellent shape optically,mechanically and cosmetically,it may have some zoom creep,nearly all do but is easily fixed by rolling back the grip and tightening the screws.Regards.

pooschey · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 21

Thanks, I need to take my 19AH out more often. I use the 35-80/2.8-3.5 01A more as it's a more comfortable walkabout range. The images from the 01A is really great.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

I did miss this thread, due to location, but #4 and #6 are two great portraits, with perfect lighting, they would deserve to be in the Galleries.