Lester/Kiron 105mm 2.8 - Sharper than Vivitar 135mm CF?

[Coyote23]

So, ya'll know that rare Vivtar 135mm Close Focusing by Komine?
I wanted to ask if the Kiron is superior in resolution for non-macro work.

I only want one in the range,to minimize mind clutter when I work.
So if you say Viv, I am selling the Kiron. If you say Kiron, I won't bother with the Viv.

EXPERTS?

[eggplant]

Well the Kiron 105mm has a lot more elements, goes down to 1:1, and follows a more symmetrical design. And is designed to follow in the field of macro lenses.

Nevertheless, the reviews seem impressive for Vivitar's otherwise simple 135mm Ernostar design that goes down to 1:2. Clearly something is performant about it.

But I would still go with the Kiron, which is actually a 'macro' rather than 'close focus' - despite the Vivitar going down to 1:2, which is meaningfully macro, I would go by what they called it. Close focus is always used as a lesser version of macro.

[Coyote23]

That's reasonable! Thanks for your input! Love this forum, you guys are great

[vivaldibow]

[caspert79]

For non-macro I would prefer the Vivitar, for macro the Kiron. I didn't like the Kiron for other purposes than macro.
Better alround lenses are IMO the Tamron 90/2.5 macro or Tokina AT-X 90/2.5 macro. The Tamron can be found very cheap.
There's also a Vivitar 90/2.8 macro by the way, not bad either.