Vivitar 200mm F3.5

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Hi

I tried to find Series one for a reasonable prize, but they were quite wanted. So have to manage with that. First impression were easy to focus and enormous close focus distance. I have to buy bigger flat...

Pictures here:
http://zeieizh.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Vivitar+200mm+f3,5/

There are full 15mpix picture under the link "näytä alkuperäinen kuva". It's Finnish and means "show original picture".

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

I have several Vivitar 200 f/3.5's and they are all good performers. Very well built and quite sharp from 4.0 and up.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

I were outside and took lot's of pictures with it. Solid performer. Not top, but easy and feels good in hand. I may suffer from EOS adapter.

Every image ISO400 and F8

As a compairing, Sigma 28mm EF DG 1:2 macro f1.8. ISO400, f5

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

Very nice indeed.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Thank you, Big Dawg.

Two more, with 50mm adding.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

I have a Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 almost identical to the one in your first photo -- even Canon FD mount. It is a very well made lens, big and heavy. I've tested it out and compared it with my Canon New FD 200mm f/4 -- a tack-sharp optic that often goes overlooked cuz it's "only" an f/4 -- and it is on par with the Canon.

I see you have it mounted to an EOS with the FD-EOS adapter. Does your adapter have the glass element? Were these pics taken with that adapter? i have one with the element, and I've found it actually works quite well with lenses that are at least f/2.8 and slower. Not very well at all with fast lenses -- lots of flare. My adapter's glass element is removable, but I haven't yet used it without the glass. Probably should give it a try, cuz I'll likely be able to do some nice macro work with it.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Hi cooltouch

Yes, It does have a glass element. And pictures were taken with it.

I have to find and try that Canon prime also.

RioRico · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject:

A rather different Tele Vivitar 200/3.5, T1 mount with M42 adapter, preset aperture with 18 iris blades, weighs 640g, a solid chunk of steel and glass:

Those 18 blades give it bookoo bokeh, but if the OOF background contains point lights or reflections, they turn into glowing circles. Oh yeah, close focus is about 3.5m / 11 feet. Filter diameter is 67mm.

Anyway, I've seen references to many varieties of Vivitar 200/3.5 glass, but none to this particular version. Does anyone here know about its vintage and make?

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

I'll have to gatherr my 200 3.5's up and photograph them. The jury is still out on who made the 200mm preset ones. Some with a serial number starting with 6 are thought to be Olympus made. Some of the others may be made by any of the many lens makers of the day.

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

Hello. ZeiEizh.
That serial number is your lens? Or if you know fact that factory?

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

A few of my 200mm f/3.5 Vivitars.

Out of time. More to come later.

Blue · Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 304

I have a Kino/Kiron made Auto Tele 200mm/3.5 that is a nice lens. My lens was likely made in 1979 or 1989. The only thing is it has 6 blades.

Blue · Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 304

This will help on Vivitar 35mm slr lenses manufactured from 1970-1990.

http://cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm

It won't help much on the older T stuff and the presets.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Hi Francotirador

I don't know the maker, but serial is... 28823157. 62mm thread.

I were shooting planes at EFHK. Weather was very sunny and warm. My pictures wend somehow hazy and had very much flare. Sharpness were acceptable, but whole outcome was very odd.

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Blue · Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 304

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

[quote="ZeiEizh"]Hi Francotirador

I don't know the maker, but serial is... 28823157. 62mm thread.

I were shooting planes at EFHK. Weather was very sunny and warm. My pictures wend somehow hazy and had very much flare. Sharpness were acceptable, but whole outcome was very odd.

Those who begin with 28, are made by Komine. They say that it is the best of all.
You lose quality lens on the adapter with glass.
A 200mm should enable the change of mount, removing 2mm.

Congrats.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

Hello, you can not buy one without glass.
You must replace the mount. Canon FD, has a separation of 42mm, mount sensor. EOS works at 44mm distance, sensor mount
It is a job to do with a lathe. But I think that will have great difference.
Greetings

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Hi

I can buy it without lense and loose infinity until I figure out how to drop lens 2mm.

FEX=
http://www.enjoyyourcamera.com/Canon-Accessories/Lens-Mount-Adapter-Ring-without-compensation-lens-for-Canon-FD-on-Canon-EOS::652.html

Have to think it first.

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

But you can never approach infinity, Macro you can only do.
Anyway to test the quality, if you can get the glass to your adapter will be the same.
Greetings.

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

Hi

I'll test and go to buy a body cap, from where I start modification. Smile

I'll put photos here, let's see then.

Thanks.

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

Try out backlit, to see if there is less chromatic aberration and better highlights.
Greetings

ZeiEizh · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 223 Location: Helsinki

This is how much MY adapter affects. Both pictures from same distance, but hand held, and same apertures etc. F5,6; ISO400; 1/40sek.

With adapter on:

Without adapter:

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

Big difference, right?
Explore if there is less chromatic aberration, I think there should be less.
Good luck with the tests.