My newest GAS acquisition

480sparky · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 355 Location: Iowa

Started looking into a Nikon 75-150/3.5 Series E as a low-cost alternative lens for shooting head-n-shoulders portraits. But found that the zoom/focus ring of it tends to creep given the age of the lens these days.

I did find, however, that the Kiron 70-150/4 was the same lens (optically), only a bit different on the outside. So I started to search for that, or the Vivitar version. All 3 were apparently made by Kino Precision Industries in Japan.

Last weekend, I scored a Kiron........ $30 shipped........ with a matching Vivitar 2x TC. Package arrived today.

So far, it's about what I expected. Both lens & TC are in pristine condition, even after the USPS dropped the box and dented the filter thread of the lens (easily corrected). And you'll notice....... the zoom/focus ring is still at the top; NO CREEP!

MartinCrabtree · Joined: 10 Jan 2015 Posts: 121

I have a Nikkor 50-135 f3.5 that practically fell to the low side. Had a CLA done and they replaced a felt gasket. No more creep. But the CLA cost twice what you paid for that. Nice.

480sparky · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 355 Location: Iowa

DIY fix:

http://photo.net/bboard/uploaded-file?bboard_upload_id=32348784

PhantomLord · Joined: 08 Apr 2013 Posts: 476 Location: Szczecin, Poland

Hi Sparky,

Good acquisition. I'm really fond of my Kiron 70-150 and it's a stunning performer. I found it almost on par with Vivitar Series 1 70-210 while wide open, when stopped they're indistinguishable and provides great quality.
I got myself two touch and one touch Vivitar as well and two touch was miles behind the Kiron, while one touch was a little bit worse wide open, but that's maybe due to sample variation.
I'm wondering about this TC you have. I had Vivitar's 70-150 Matched 2X TC and it looked completely different. It was rubbish in terms of sharpness and overall performance, but still it was a lot bigger than presented on photo above.

Although I paid for my copy about �6 shipped (without TC and with a bit of fungus - easily cleanable) I think your $30 was very well spend. This is my favourite tele lens for travelling light.

In this thread I've posted some samples made with my copy of Kiron: http://forum.mflenses.com/question-about-tamron-20a-70-150-f-3-5-t69615.html#1422615

Mateusz

EDIT:
My matched multiplier for 70-150 looked like this:

(photo found on:
https://www.keh.com/239193/olympus-manual-focus-2x-matched-multiplier-70-150-vivitar)