View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 6:10 pm Post subject: Vivitar Series 1 17mm f/3.5 - Didn't Know This Existed |
|
|
justtorchit wrote:
I've long been a fan and collector of this older Vivitar Series 1 glass. If you had asked me before today about Vivitar's "Series 1 17mm f/3.5", I would have told you that you are mistakenly talking about Vivitar's 17mm f/3.5 manufactured by Tokina, but which was not part of their series 1 collection...there never was a 17mm in the Series 1 line....
But then I would be wrong!
See for yourself:
The manufacturer code is Tokina so if I had to guess, I would assume this is still that same lens albeit with the Series 1 treatment, matching cosmetics, VMC coating, and that's that. Again, I have no evidence, just my guess at this time. The seller says, with broken english so some of my questions may be lost in translation, he came across this in Japan and did find some evidence of it in some Vivitar literature. I asked if he might be able to share as I'm now extremely intrigued!
Here is the listing, for your reference, though I realize, down the road, this will disappear: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-Series-1-VMC-17-mm-3-5-Nikon-Very-Rare/253950393331?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Here is the listing and while super rare, I think $500 is quite steep. I personally believe rarity to be the only driver of price here as I don't imagine this 17mm outperforming the Tokina 17/3.5 RMC of that era - I think it's in fact the same thing. But I could be wrong. Any way, just one more reason I love the hunt! Something new all the time![/url] _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
|
Back to top |
|
|
luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
luisalegria wrote:
Rarity is a good explanation, because it is indeed rare.
It would be interesting to check Vivitar advertising for it through the late 70's - 1980s. Offhand I don't recall it. _________________ 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. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
marcusBMG
Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1312 Location: Conwy N Wales
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
marcusBMG wrote:
Mine is just "vivitar" (though it did come with a "series 1" cap). The modelling is distinct from yours - it doesn't have those windows for the f number for example, aperture ring is thinner. Front end looks identical.
Quick google search for images doesn't pull up any like the one your post.
Based on common understanding of the viv serial numbers this would be #18, 1978... looks authentic but it is from Russia... _________________ pentax ME super (retired)
Pentax K3-ii; pentax K-S2; Samsung NX 20; Lumix G1 + adapters;
Adaptall collection (proliferating!) inc 200-500mm 31A, 300mm f2.8, 400mm f4.
Primes: takumar 55mm; smc 28mm, 50mm; kino/komine 28mm f2's, helios 58mm, Tamron Nestar 400mm, novoflex 400mm, Vivitar 135mm close focus, 105mm macro; Jupiter 11A; CZJ 135mm.
A classic zoom or two: VS1 (komine), Kiron Zoomlock... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vivaldibow
Joined: 23 Jun 2018 Posts: 841
Expire: 2021-03-09
|
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 1:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
vivaldibow wrote:
Indeed very rare. Don't see it in old ads. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
55
Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 710 Location: U.S.
Expire: 2022-06-15
|
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 1:59 am Post subject: Re: Vivitar Series 1 17mm f/3.5 - Didn't Know This Existed |
|
|
55 wrote:
justtorchit wrote: |
. . .
The manufacturer code is Tokina so if I had to guess, I would assume this is still that same lens albeit with the Series 1 treatment, matching cosmetics, VMC coating, and that's that. Again, I have no evidence, just my guess at this time. The seller says, with broken english so some of my questions may be lost in translation, he came across this in Japan and did find some evidence of it in some Vivitar literature. I asked if he might be able to share as I'm now extremely intrigued!
. . . |
Fascinating! Thanks for alerting us.
I don't own either of the Vivitar 17s, but I have a book called The Vivitar Guide which includes some information about the Series 1.
(Copyright 1980 by John C. Wolf):
As far as differences between the two 17s, elsewhere in the book the normal 17mm is said to have a 22cm minimum focus distance, to be 80mm long and weigh 380g.
And I wonder if the Series 1 originally came with a lens hood? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
|
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 12:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
cooltouch wrote:
Please note that that $500 isn't an asking price. The eBay listing is an auction with an opening bid of $500. The guy is being inordinately hopeful, seems to me.
There is actually a third iteration of the Tokina-made Vivitar 17mm f/3.5. I have one. I've owned it for almost 30 years. Mine's in Canon FD mount, so I've only been able to take advantage of its ultra-wideness with my film Canons. I don't have an FF digital that'll work with Canon FD yet.
Here are a couple of pics of mine. Note the vestigial tulip blades of a built-in hood. It is these little suggestions of a hood that make mine different from the other two. Also note that mine focuses substantially closer than that S1 17mm above, and while closer than 22cm, is close enough, I reckon. Another difference between mine and the above S1 lens is that mine has a front filter diameter of 72mm, whereas the S1's is 67mm. Again, I don't know offhand if this is unique to my version, or if this is shared with the other regular 17mm or the Tokina 17mm.
Another observation: looking at both serial numbers, they both start with 3780 . . . And that S1 has all those zeros -- I can't help but wonder if that S1 17mm might be the 18th one made. Which means, if true, that mine would have been the 4,781st made. Just a bit of idle speculation. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/
Last edited by cooltouch on Sun Oct 28, 2018 12:54 am; edited 5 times in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
justtorchit
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO
|
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 12:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
justtorchit wrote:
cooltouch wrote: |
There is actually a third iteration of the Tokina-made Vivitar 17mm f/3.5. I have one. I've owned it for almost 30 years. Mine's in Canon FD mount, so I've only been able to take advantage of its ultra-wideness with my film Canons. I don't have an FF digital that'll work with Canon FD yet.
Here area a couple of pics of mine. Note the vestigial tulip blades of a built-in hood. It is these little suggestions of a hood that make mine different from the other two. Also note that mine focuses substantially closer than that S1 17mm above. I don't know offhand whether the close focusing distance on mine is the same as the other regular Vivitar 17mm or its Tokina counterpart.
|
Yeah, I have had one of these myself which was labeled '18mm' and branded 'Spiratone'. I have seen this lens as Soligor, Tokina, Vivitar, and Spiratone. I believe they are all the same Tokina-made lens. It was a lovely little piece of glass that I somewhat regret letting go. But they seem to be plentiful on the market. _________________ David
www.davidkovaluk.com - personal website
www.instagram.com/davidkovaluk
http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/ - photoblog |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|