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Spotmatic
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 4045
Location: Netherlands
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 Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject: Vivitar 20mm f/3.8 M42 |
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Spotmatic wrote:
Got the lens today for the enormous sum of... 15 euros.
I compared it with Pentax's kit lens (18-55mm version 1) with the Vivitar 20mm f/3.8, both at f/8:
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm @ 20mm f/8:
Vivitar 20mm f/3.8 @ f/8:
Conclusion: the 20mm Vivitar is not so good at the corners (CA). The Kit lens has a better contrast too. But then the Vivitar is FF, the Kit lens isn't. Still not bad for 15 euros. Would be fun to try this on a FF camera.
The Vivitar on the K20D:
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Peter - Moderator
Pentax K-5 + Pentax 645 + Canon 5D + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar, and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.
My fast 80s: Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 83mm f/1.9 - Super-Takumar 85mm f/1.9 - FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited - Cyclop 85/1.5 (Helios-40 innards) - Komura 80mm f/1.8 - Meyer Görlitz Primoplan 7,5cm 1:1.9 - Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar - Canon 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. - Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6603
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
You got a very good deal. This lens usually goes for $60-100 in US ebay.
Thats the Kiron make. There is a little older Tokina-made 21/3.8 also. I think the Kiron may be better.
Thanks for comparing vs the kit lens. I have more respect for the Pentax kit lens now (I don't have one).
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I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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Spotmatic
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 4045
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Spotmatic wrote:
| luisalegria wrote: |
Thanks for comparing vs the kit lens. I have more respect for the Pentax kit lens now (I don't have one). |
So you don't know how good it really is. On Dpreview it was touted as the best kit lens of all brands. And the II version (bundled with the K20D) is even better.
A message to everyone planning to buy a Pentax dSLR: by all means get the kit lens! It's very good and super cheap.
_________________
Peter - Moderator
Pentax K-5 + Pentax 645 + Canon 5D + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar, and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.
My fast 80s: Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 83mm f/1.9 - Super-Takumar 85mm f/1.9 - FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited - Cyclop 85/1.5 (Helios-40 innards) - Komura 80mm f/1.8 - Meyer Görlitz Primoplan 7,5cm 1:1.9 - Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar - Canon 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. - Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6603
Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I was wondering whether I should pick up one of these kit lenses.
Its a big question for me, because although they are cheap, as Pentax-brand AF lenses go, its still expensive compared to collectible lenses. and I am not collecting AF lenses. I am mostly just collecting lenses after all.
Photographically speaking, my shortest FL is a Vivitar 19mm, which seems to be very close to 18mm, which makes the kit lens seem redundant. I would be willing to spend money to go really wide, with my next DSLR, maybe the cheap Pentax 10-17mm Fisheye.
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I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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orly_andico
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 253
Location: Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:41 am Post subject: |
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orly_andico wrote:
I don't have the kit lens, but I have the 16-45 f4 (constant) ED aspherical.
For giggles, I mounted it on a $13 P3 film body which I got on ebay. Guess what... even without an aperture ring, it works! albeit only in program mode, and there is no aperture display in the viewfinder. And of course it's manual focus.
Above around 21mm, there is no vignetting. Of course at 16mm there is lots of vignetting (looks like something out of a Lomo).
Haven't had the film processed yet but to tell the truth having a "real" 21mm perspective is huge fun! (at 16mm on the K10D it's only equivalent to a 24.5mm on FF). |
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Nesster
Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 5883
Location: NJ, USA
Expire: 2014-02-20
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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Nesster wrote:
| Quote: |
| For giggles, I mounted it on a $13 P3 film body which I got on ebay. Guess what... even without an aperture ring, it works! albeit only in program mode, and there is no aperture display in the viewfinder. And of course it's manual focus. |
Seriously, I bought the 16-45/4 before I ever had a dSLR. I use/d it with a ZX-10 and a Program Plus, in program mode. And I think it's a better lens on film than on digital. I use it a lot in this way.
I'd suspect the kit lens would shine on film as well.
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-Jussi
Camera photos
Print Photographica
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 6943
Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
That kit lens looks really good.
Anyway, back to the real subject. That Vivitar looks ok, but the thing I noticed is how the contrast and saturation is lacking. If using on digital a tweak in PP would probably make it look as good as any other.
Thanks for sharing. I'm after a WA/UWA in M42 mount.
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Casual attendance these days |
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KhanX
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 430
Location: Bangkok, Thailand, München, Göttingen, Germany
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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KhanX wrote:
WOW, great deal, I like your pictures.
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Camera : Leica M8, Sony Nex5, Sigma SD14, Canon 5D, Olympus E-1, Panasonic DMC L1, Pentax K10D Grand Prix, Nikon D1X, Contax RTS III, Contax 167MT, Exakta RTL1000, Minolta X-700, Canon T90, Canon F-1, Pentacon Six TL
Lens :
Tele : Canon FD 300mm f2.8 s.s.c. fluorite, Mamiya 645 500mm f5.6, Pentacon 500mm f5.6, Sigma APO 300mm f4 macro, Nikkor Reflex C 500mm f8, Canon FD 200mm f2.8 s.s.c., Rubinar 300mm f4.5 mirror
Macro : Vivitar Series 1 90mm f2.8, Vivitar VMC 100mm f2.8 Macro, Panagor PMC 90mm f2.8, Edicar 90mm f2.8 Macro, Nikon Micro 55mm f3.5, Takumar 50mm f4 Macro, Nikon Non AI 55mm f3.5 Micro, SMC Takumar 100mm f4 macro, Canon FD 100mm f4 Macro, Canon FD 200mm f4 Macro, Volna-9 50mm f2.8
Short tele : Pentacon Six 120mm f2.8, Carl Zeiss Contax T* 100mm f2, Meyer optik Trioplan 100MM F2.8, Porst 135mm f1.8, Sigmatel ys 135mm f1.8, Schneider 135mm f3.5, Makinon 135mm f3.5, Komura 135mm f3.5, Hexanon 100mm f2.8, Schneider Variogon 80-240mm 4.5, Schneider 135mm f4
Normal : Canon 50mm f0.95, Schneider 50mm f0.95, Hexanon 57mm f1.2, Hexanon 40mm f1.8, Taylor hobson 50mm f1.8, Cooke Kinetal 50mm f1.8, Canon EF 28mm f2.8, Leica 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 Mega O.I.S., Carl Zeiss Contax Distagon 18mm f4, Carl Zeiss Contax Planar T* 50mm f1.4, Carl Zeiss Contax 35mm f1.4, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 Macro, Yashica 35mm f2.8, Helios 44-2/58, Helios 85mm f1.5, Pentax SMC-M 50mm f1.4, Pentax SMC-F 28mm f2.8, Minolta MD Rokkor 28mm f2.8, Minolta MD Rokkor 35mm f2.8, Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f1.7, Minolta MC PF Rokkor 50mm f1.4, Porst 28mm f2.8, Meyer - Optik Lydith 30mm f3.5, Nikon AIS 50mm f1.2, Tamron SP 28mm f2.8 adaptall, Pentax SMC Takumar 85mm f1.8, Vivitar Series 1 55mm f1.2, Canon FD 85mm f1.2L, Canon FD 55mm f1.2L, Angenieux 135mm f3.5, Cooke Kinetal 75mm f2.6, Steinheil 85mm f2.8, Leica M 50mm f2, Zeiss flextogon 35mm f2.4, Pancolar 50mm f1.8, Schneider Xenar 85mm f4
Wide : Leica Elmerit M 28mm f2.8 asph, Zeiss Contax 21mm f2.8, Zeiss Flextogon 20mm f2.8, Exakta 24mm f2.8 macro, Tokina 17mm f4 |
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Spotmatic
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 4045
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Spotmatic wrote:
Thanks everyone. I thought that the Vivitar was a little sharper in the center than the kit lens, but I'll check tonight. Unfortunately, I have to work overtime today 
_________________
Peter - Moderator
Pentax K-5 + Pentax 645 + Canon 5D + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar, and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.
My fast 80s: Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 83mm f/1.9 - Super-Takumar 85mm f/1.9 - FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited - Cyclop 85/1.5 (Helios-40 innards) - Komura 80mm f/1.8 - Meyer Görlitz Primoplan 7,5cm 1:1.9 - Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar - Canon 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. - Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical |
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mdogan83
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:24 am Post subject: Re: Vivitar 20mm f/3.8 M42 |
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mdogan83 wrote:
| Spotmatic wrote: |
Got the lens today for the enormous sum of... 15 euros.
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I got it yesterday for the sum of 9,20 € 
Lucky me also had a working Minolta 700 AF Body to use the lense on.
Compared to other ultra wides its a perfect bargain.
Now i cant wait to see the performance of my "mega cheap ultra wide"
_________________
Canon A-1 + MC Mir-20M 3.5/20mm + RMC Tokina 2.8/24mm + Porst 2.8/28mm + Sigma-Z Pantel 2.8/ 135mm + Petri 3.5/135mm + Soligor MC 3.5/70-210mm + ((Canon EOS 300D)) |
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Gus Helios
Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 144
Location: Cali
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: A quick question |
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Gus Helios wrote:
Thanks for this post... I have a version of this lens that I feel it a bit lacking in contrast and mine requires some series stopping down to sharpen up... I also have the pentax kit verII, and for a kit lens it is worth the little extra it cost me in the package deal. I dont really use it, but I would trust it if I did.
But something if bugging me about the test shots. In the reflection above the plants on the left side of the pic... in the kit lens shot there appears to be a brick wall, but in the vivi shot it is all smooth there with no hint of bricks.
My old mind can't figure out what is happening exactly... can you clear it up?
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Nothing a shot a jack and some George Jones can't fix - Gus |
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Spotmatic
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 4045
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:19 am Post subject: Re: A quick question |
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Spotmatic wrote:
| Gus Helios wrote: |
But something if bugging me about the test shots. In the reflection above the plants on the left side of the pic... in the kit lens shot there appears to be a brick wall, but in the vivi shot it is all smooth there with no hint of bricks.
My old mind can't figure out what is happening exactly... can you clear it up? |
Yes! I did not notice it at all, but now that you mentioned it... in that exact spot, outside, there's a lamp with a sensor. I remember getting my tripod from the garage, so I walked past the lamp which then automatically switched on. After 10 minutes or so it switches itself off automatically. So in the first shot the lamp is on, in the Vivitar shot the lamp is off.
_________________
Peter - Moderator
Pentax K-5 + Pentax 645 + Canon 5D + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar, and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.
My fast 80s: Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 83mm f/1.9 - Super-Takumar 85mm f/1.9 - FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited - Cyclop 85/1.5 (Helios-40 innards) - Komura 80mm f/1.8 - Meyer Görlitz Primoplan 7,5cm 1:1.9 - Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar - Canon 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. - Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical |
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Gus Helios
Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 144
Location: Cali
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: Thanks for the explanation |
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Gus Helios wrote:
I could not wrap my mind around that level of selective smoothing of details by the vivitar
I am always amazed by what others see in my shots when I post them... I will PP the shot to get it how I like it, post the shot and someone will say " I like it, except for ____________." And I look and sure enough there is something there I just did not see! Then of course I can not 'not' see it... so I have to try and fix it!
The brick reflection and lack of in the second shot, pulled my minds eye right in...
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Nothing a shot a jack and some George Jones can't fix - Gus |
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