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Identifying Vivitar rebranded manual focus lenses
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:11 pm    Post subject: Identifying Vivitar rebranded manual focus lenses Reply with quote

Here's a list of nearly all Vivtar lenses with their manufacturers. It's not complete yet. But maybe it's helpful fore some people.

If you are missing a lens in the list or want to give a rating please post here or let me know.

In some cases it's possible to identify the lenses which were made between 1970 and about 1990 by their serial numbers

6 Olympus
9 Cosina
13 Schneider Kreuznach
22 Kino Precision (Kiron)
25 Ozone Optical
28 Komine
32 Makinon
33 Tokina ("Asanuma")
37 Tokina
42 Bauer
44 Perkin Elmer (US)
47 Chinon
51 Tokyo Trading
56 Kyoe Schoji
75 Hoya Optics
81 Polar

(thx ManualFocus-G for the info)

Manual focus prime lenses
Vivitar Series 1 7mm f/3.5 Fish-eye CS (Samyang, ****)
Vivitar Series 1 13mm f/2.8 (Samyang, ****)
Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 (Tokina, ****)
Vivitar 19mm f/3.8 (Cosina, ***)
Vivitar 20mm f/3.8 (82mm filter) (Kino, ***)
Vivitar 21mm f/3.8 T4 (made by Tokina, ***)
Vivitar 24mm f/2 (52mm filter version made by Komine, 55mm made by Kino)
Vivitar 24mm f/2 RL Edition (Komine)
Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 (Cosina)
Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 (Tokina, **)
Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 (Tokina, younger RMC Version, ***)
Vivitar Series 1 28mm f/1.9 (S/N 37...., made by Tokina, ***)
Vivitar 28mm f/2 (49mm filter version made by Komine, 55mm by Kino)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 (62mm or 67mm filter, made by Kiron, **)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 TX (58mm filter, made by Tokina)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 T4 (58mm filter) (?)
Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2.8 (Komine)
Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2 (Komine)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 (Komine)
Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 (52mm filter, made by Tokina, ***)
Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 35mm f/2.5 TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 35mm f/2.8 (?)
Vivitar 35mm f/2.8 (52mm filter, made by Tokina)
Vivitar 35mm f/2.8 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 50mm f/1.7 (Cosina)
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 (Cosina)
Vivitar 50mm f/1.9 (?)
Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 Macro (made by Komine)
Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 (49mm screw mount) (?) (**)
Vivitar Series 1 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF (Samyang, ****)
Vivitar 85mm f/1.8 T-mount (?)
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro (1:1 macro, made by Komine)
Vivitar 90mm f/2.8 Macro (made by Komine)
Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 1:2 Macro, 1:1 achieved with dedicated extender (Tokina)
Vivitar 100mm f/2.8 Macro (made by Kino)
Vivitar 100mm f/2.8 (S/N starts with 37, 55mm filter, made by Tokina)
Vivitar 100mm f/2.8 (S/N starts with 40, 52mm filter)
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 macro (1:1 macro, made by Kino, ****)
Vivitar 105mm f/2.8 T4 (Tokina)
Vivitar 135mm f/1.5 professional T-mount (?)
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (Komine)
Vivitar 135mm f/2.5 TX (Tokina)
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 close-focusing 1:2 Macro (Komine)
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 T4 & TX (Tokina)
Vivitar 135mm f/3.5 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar Auto Telephoto 135mm f/2.8 (55mm filter, serial #22xxxxxx) (Kino)
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 T-Mount, 18 blades (probably Kiron)
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 (early models made by Kino - later models which start with 28 in serial are made by Komine)
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 (made by Tokina, ***)
Vivitar Series 1 200mm f/3 (made by Komine)
Vivitar Series 1 200mm f/3.5 Auto Focus (made by Komine or Cosina)
Vivitar 250mm f/4.5 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 300mm f/5.5 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 300mm f/5.6 (made by Olympus)
Vivitar 300mm f/5.6 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 400mm f/5.6 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 400mm f/5.6 IF TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 400mm f/6.3 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar Series 1 450mm f/4.5 aspherical mirror T-mount
Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 mirror (?, **)
Vivitar 500mm f/8 (72mm filter, made by Cosina. ***)
Vivitar 500mm f/8 (67mm filter, probably made by Samyang, **)
Vivitar Series 1 500mm f/8 mirror T-mount (Samyang, **)
Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 T-mount (non-mirror) (?)
Vivitar 600mm f/8 T-mount (non-mirror) (?)
Vivitar Series 1 600mm f/8 "solid cat" T-mount (made by Perkin-Elmer, **)
Vivitar Series 1 800mm f/8 mirror T-mount (made by Samyang, **)
Vivitar Series 1 800mm f/11 solid cat T-mount (made by Perkin-Elmer, **)

Manual focus zoom lenses

Vivitar 17-28mm f/4-4.5 (Samyang, ***)
Vivitar 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (made by Cosina, ***)
Vivitar Series 1 24-48mm f/3.8 (made by Kino)
Vivitar Series 1 24-70 f/3.8-4.8 (made by Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8 (made by Cosina)
Vivitar 28-200mm f/3.5-5.3 Macro (?)
Vivitar 28-210mm f/3.5-5.6 (?, *)
Vivitar 28-50mm f/3.5-4.5 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 28-70mm f/3.5-4.8 (made by Cosina)
Vivitar 28-80 mm f/3.5-5.6 (?)
Vivitar 28-80 mm f/3.5-5.6 (Tokina, *)
Vivitar 28-85mm f/2.8-3.8 (vari-focal zoom, made by Kino)
Vivitar 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 (made by Kobori)
Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 35-70mm f/3.5 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 35-70mm f3.5-4.8 Macro (made by Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 (made by Kino)
Vivitar Series 1 35-105 f/3.5 (with close focus)
Vivitar 35-105mm f/3.5 TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 35-200mm f/3-4.5 Macro
Vivitar 55-135mm f/3.5 T4 (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 (1 and 2-touch, made by Kino)
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 (S/N starts with 09, made by Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/3.5 Macro (Kiron)
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/3.5 (?)
Vivitar 70-210mm f/4.5 (?)
Vivitar 70-210mm f/4.5 Macro (made by Kobori)
Vivitar 70-210 f/4-5.6 (Cosina, *)
Vivitar 75-205 f/3.8 (1 and 2-touch, made by Kino)
Vivitar 75-205 f/3.5-4.5 macro focusing (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 75-250mm f3.8-4.5 macro (made by Komine)
Vivitar 75-260mm f/4.5 T4 & TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 (?)
Vivitar 80-200mm f/4 TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 80-200mm f/4 macro, RL Edition (?)
Vivitar 80-200mm f/4.5 (made by Komine)
Vivitar 80-200mm f/4.5 (made by Kobori)
Vivitar 80-200mm f/4.5 (55mm filter, S/N starts with 22, made by Kino Precision)
Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 (made by Kino)
Vivitar 90-230mm f/4.5 T4 (made by Tokina, ***)
Vivitar Series 1 90-180mm F/4.5 Flat Field zoom (made by Kino)
Vivitar 100-200mm f/4.0 (?)
Vivitar 100-300mm f/5 TX (made by Tokina)
Vivitar 100-500mm f/5.6-8 (probably made by Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 120-600mm f/8 (made by Kobori, ****)
Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 T-mount (made by Samyang, * to **)

Approximate rating system:
* = Not recommended/Crap
** = Useable
*** = Good lens
**** = Highly recommended
***** = Outstanding good

I hope this list is not killing the good prices of vivitar lenses Smile


Last edited by ForenSeil on Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:48 pm; edited 77 times in total


PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good work Smile

Serial numbers can be looked up here to find the manufacturer (in most cases):

http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm

The other 400/5.6 is made by Komine, as I have it and its serial starts with a 28 Smile


PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Should we make a sticky of this info?


PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ManualFocus-G wrote:
Good work Smile

Serial numbers can be looked up here to find the manufacturer (in most cases):

http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm

The other 400/5.6 is made by Komine, as I have it and its serial starts with a 28 Smile

Thanks, I added the Info

Quote:
Should we make a sticky of this info?

Yes, I think we should make it sticky


Last edited by ForenSeil on Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:52 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro (1:1 macro, made by Komine)


Is that right? I don't remember that one, only the Series 1 version.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

woodrim wrote:
Quote:
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro (1:1 macro, made by Komine)


Is that right? I don't remember that one, only the Series 1 version.

According to a guy in another forum there were two 90mm F2.5 macro lenses sold by Vivitar
One has a "Series 1", one not.

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00C00V
Quote:
There is also a VIVITAR 90/2.5 macro of the same era; that is NOT a series 1 lens; that is decent; but has somewhat more corner darkness wide open. These lenses where made at the same time; and may not have been made by the same maker.


Last edited by ForenSeil on Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:56 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2.8 is Komine. And there is also an f/2 version.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

woodrim wrote:
Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2.8 is Komine. And there is also an f/2 version.
Thx! I've added:
Quote:
Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2.8 (Komine)
Vivitar Close Focus 28mm f/2 (?)


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I should have been more clear, the f/2 is also Komine.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, I have a 200mm f3.5 tele Vivitar preset ser#76578 T4 multi blade 18/20 blades any one heard of this? also Vivitar 75-250mm f3.8/4.5 macro focusing zoom by Komine 28400438 don't see this mentioned.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've added the 75-250, thx

Can you show a pic of your 200 F3.5?
Do you mean this lens as Vivitar T4 version: http://forum.mflenses.com/soligor-tele-auto-200mm-f3-5-for-konica-ar-surprise-t41490,highlight,%2Bsoligor+%2B200mm+%2Bf3+%2B5.html ?
If yes, it's already on the list (it's made by Tokina)


PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Identifying Vivitar rebranded manual focus lenses Reply with quote

ForenSeil wrote:
Here's a list of Vivtar lenses with their manufacturers. It's not complete. But maybe it's helpful fore some people


Thanks for posting, interesting list! Mind revealing your source for the info? Is it based on the Vivitar serial number lists, inside information, your own guesses, or something else?


PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or it could be experience and personal knowledge.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Source is German Wikipedia, the posts above this post and a little personal knowledge Smile


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a 75-200mm f/4.5 zoom for manual focus SLRs with built in auto focusing (I believe made by Cosina), and also apparently a 28-70mm version, though I've never seen one. Plus, a 100-500mm f/5.6-8, also probably made by Cosina.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a very helpful list you have put together...

I have a: Vivitar Auto Telephoto 135 f2.8 55mm filter serial # 22xxxxxx (Kino).

Smile


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

heritagecameras wrote:
There was a 75-200mm f/4.5 zoom for manual focus SLRs with built in auto focusing...

How does that work? Never heard of that technique.

I didn't add it because it's AF, but when it's really for MF Bodys(!?) I think we could make a little exception.
I've added the 100-500 so far.

Chayelle wrote:
This is a very helpful list you have put together...

I have a: Vivitar Auto Telephoto 135 f2.8 55mm filter serial # 22xxxxxx (Kino).

Smile

Thank you!
I've added the lens

Bye the way, we could start making a rating list.
For example I would give the
Vivitar Series 1 7mm f/3.5 Fish-eye CS (Samyang, ****)
Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 (Tokina, ****)
Vivitar Series 1 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF (Samyang, *****)
Vivitar Series 1 650-1300mm f/8-16 T-mount (Samyang, **)

* = Not recommended
** = Useable
*** = Good lens
**** = Highly recommended
***** = Outstanding good

What do you think about that?


Last edited by ForenSeil on Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:05 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That rating system could prove very helpful... Smile


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Questions and answer:

Q: I just received a lightweight (130g) M42 28/2.8, 49mm thread, serial U97101xxx -- any idea of the maker?
Q: My old heavy (640g) T2 200/3.5 with 67mm thread, serial 722cc -- Komine, or Kiron?
A: I have a 35/2.8 in OM mount, 52mm thread, serial 37402xxx, attributed to Tokina

Good start on the list!


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RioRico wrote:
Questions and answer:

Q: I just received a lightweight (130g) M42 28/2.8, 49mm thread, serial U97101xxx -- any idea of the maker?
Q: My old heavy (640g) T2 200/3.5 with 67mm thread, serial 722cc -- Komine, or Kiron?
A: I have a 35/2.8 in OM mount, 52mm thread, serial 37402xxx, attributed to Tokina

Good start on the list!


Q1: No idea without a photo of the lens
Q2: When it's made between 1970 and 1990 it's a Kiron lens because all Komine serials started with 28 at that time

Thanks for your answer! Smile


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ForenSeil wrote:
heritagecameras wrote:
There was a 75-200mm f/4.5 zoom for manual focus SLRs with built in auto focusing...

How does that work? Never heard of that technique.

The lens has a complete AF system built in, with its own sensors, motor and batteries. You press a button on the side of the lens, and the motor drives the lens to correct focus, and beeps to confirm it's locked. AF is carried out through the lens, and a beam splitter or semi-silvered mirror diverts some of the light for the sensors. This system was also used on the Vivitar Series 1 200mm f/3.5 AF, and a few other lenses from the time.

AF performance isn't great, but it does work, and because it's all performed within the lens it works on any camera you mount it on. A note of caution, though... if you adapt one of these lenses, the adapter must be exactly the right thickness for AF to be accurate. Many cheap adapters are slightly too thin (so allow focusing beyond infinity), and these will give inaccurate AF.

Here's a thread on another site with a picture of the lens:

http://photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/00PJ1r


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a 24mm F2.8 by Tokina.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

martinsmith99 wrote:
There is a 24mm F2.8 by Tokina.

Do you know the filter size?

I had the original Tokina 24mm F2.8; I would say a good lens but nothing special on it.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great Job, ForenSeil!

In your listings, you show the early 200mm f/3.5 as being made by Kino. I have two 200/3.5s that I consider to be early -- they have the grooved metal focusing ring -- no rubber covering. They're made by Komine, however, 28xxxx. Do you know how to tell apart the early and late ones other than serial number?

Also, I own a copy of the Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro. You don't have a rating associated with it. I would rate mine at four stars, ****. Not five -- my old 55 Micro Nikkor and Tamron 90mm macro are both sharper and have slightly less CA.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've added some more lenses and ratings on my own
The list is growing every day Smile
Please help me! If you know a Vivitar lens which is not in the list or want to rate a lens, please tell me!

cooltouch wrote:
Great Job, ForenSeil!

In your listings, you show the early 200mm f/3.5 as being made by Kino. I have two 200/3.5s that I consider to be early -- they have the grooved metal focusing ring -- no rubber covering. They're made by Komine, however, 28xxxx. Do you know how to tell apart the early and late ones other than serial number?

Also, I own a copy of the Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro. You don't have a rating associated with it. I would rate mine at four stars, ****. Not five -- my old 55 Micro Nikkor and Tamron 90mm macro are both sharper and have slightly less CA.

I guess when they have a 28 in the serial number they are not the "early ones" they are made by Komine.
But I'm not sure.

I've added your rating! Thank you!
Could you also give a rating for your 200mm/3.5 Komine lens?