Vivitar Series 1 24-48 zoom problem

glasslover · Expire: 2013-10-19

Hi!

I have a new-to-me Vivitar Series 1 24-48 f3.8 zoom in Nikon mount. It's heavy and lovely, the glass is very good and the aperture and focus work well.

What doesn't work so well is the zoom--it operates from 24-30 or so, but then stops. I'd much prefer a 24-48 zoom to the 24-30 zoom I seem to have now, any ideas or suggestions? Is this a common problem with this lens?

Thanks!

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

Moved to the appropriate forum Smile

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

I've not seen that on the three copies I've owned. May be that someone has taken it apart and messed with the Focus helical. They can be put back together out of time. A good lens tech could correct that.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

I own this lens in Canon mount. I pretty much agree with BD. If it comes to a hard stop at 30mm, this sounds to me like it was disassembled and the put back together wrong. You can look for clues that it's been taken apart in the past. Inspect all the small screws you can find along the barrel and rings and look for wear or chipped or missing paint. Unless you've disassembled zoom lenses before, I wouldn't really recommend you try with this one.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

It's worth repairing, I have one in PK mount and love it.

I would try Big Dog's suggestion, he knows his way around Vivitars.

glasslover · Expire: 2013-10-19

Hi!

To all: thanks for your help, I guess I got a lens with "issues". I will have someone more qualified than I take a look at it.

Thanks!