Vivitar Series 1 24-70 or 24-48?

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

First of all, the verdict has not been delivered on the Tamron 24-48, I used a polarizer in bright daylight with snow on the ground. No ghost no glare issues.....but it seemed lacking in color rendition and uneven sharpness on a DX (D300s). I used it this summer and the color rendition greatly improved, the polarizer does not seem to work good with this lens outdoors daylight. I'm not a fast lens guy doing indoor stuff or much night. I say if you need wide open performance? You get what you pay for. Don't expect it for less than $500 used or without CZ, L, words on them .......maybe we might with new under $1000 for the Sigma 18-35/1.8 Art? The latest greatest fabulous next best thing since they invented fire so far they say? Time will only tell....

A great indicator for a great lens is someone like Russ......they find a lens they like and years later ...there they are still fascinated and devoted to using it....

(I'm always grateful whenever someone provides B&W shots involving a lens...btw)

I have a Tokina 28-70/2.8 and depth and color pop from 28 to 50mm on this lens more than the Tamron but in reality the Tamron 24-48 has more natural color when setup properly and is no less sharp for the apertures I use....maybe a little more defined contrast as well. So it competes with good company. Neither comes close to the Nikkor 28-70/2.8 but neither do their prices either.....on a computer screen you almost could not tell a difference.....on large prints you will for sure....

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

I found the Tamron SP 20-40 AF and the Vivitar Series 1, 24-48, to perform rather decently wide open.

The above snap is a straight scan from the Neopan 400CN negative. No post processing. Orange filter on lens when shot.

Russ

barryreid · Expire: 2015-11-04

I have a Tamron 24-48SP and I really like it! I basically got it free as it came as part of a big ebay bundle along with my 139 and a 50/1.7 (which I sold on for more than the bundle Very Happy

).

Visually it was well worn but optically very clean, possibly a clue that this is a lens someone really liked?

After looking at it's page on Adaptall-2.org - "one of our favourite lenses" - I decided to give it a shot as the 24-48mm range and reasonably compact design appealed as an ideal urban walkaround partner to a compact SLR like my Contax 139/159 bodies, with a short tele in the bag to compliment it.

So loaded some film into the 139 and went out with this pairing. I found it a nice lump of glass and the sharpness and colour are plenty good enough for my film work, even without the, supposedly, essential 27fh hood. If the hood really does improve it significantly I'll need to get one.

I suppose it may just be a good copy and I've not tested it against a 24-70L or any other modern lens but I'm more than satisfied with it.

There are a couple of shots on my flickr photo-stream with the Tamron.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/asfound/9358633078/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/asfound/9355812809/

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:26 am Post subject:

I have owned a Tamron SP 24-48 in the past and was very pleased with the results from it.
Of course images in those days were film - Agfapan 100 and Kodak Ektachrome (E-6)
If you can find one in good condition, it is an excellent lens.
If I can find some old slide images I'll attempt to scan them, but don't hold your breath.
Cheers
OH

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I'm still a big fan of my Vivitar 24-48, it's big and heavy, but reliable. I know that I can get get good pictures from it.

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

I walked out on the dock this morning to take this one......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7756379@N08/6235074211/in/photolist-auYokv/lightbox/?q=tamron%2024-48mm&w=7756379@N08

Just kidding.... The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Biloxi complete with shrimp boats, charter boats, and oyster rigs. With a circular polarizer...without could be even sharper I believe.

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:00 am Post subject:

I have just listed a Vivitar Series 1 24-70mm lens in the Lenses for sale section of the forum if anyone is interested.
It is for Canon FD mount.
See:
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1339385.html#1339385
Cheers
OH

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Damn..........that Tamron is good! Cool

Yet another lens on the list. Laughing

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:03 am Post subject:

A few images from the Viv Series 1 24-70mm
These are scanned from postcard sized 6X4 inch photos, so please allow for loss of quality in the scanning process.
All images were taken in Vietnam.

OH

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

tamron 24-48 by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

Nikkor 25-50mm by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

I took tripod mounted shots using a Nikkor 25-50mm and the Tamron 24-48mm both at F8 (but on the Tamron I had a CP filter). One is at 24mm and the other at 25mm. Both were done in RAW and resized only to jpeg for uploading. No sharpening, no high pass, nothing..... camera setting as displayed and saved. The Nikkor appears better at distances and closer up....but? I used a polarizer on the Tamron and I should have removed it for this test....even so green fringing appears in the back ground on the Tamron.

I have dismissed the following Tokina 25-50mm not as sharp, fringes, and distorts more than the Tamron.

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 485 Location: USA

wildlight images · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 56

Just for fun I added some others from same viewpoint, Nikon D300s all the same camera settings.

Nikkor 20mm 3 by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

Nikkor 20mm F3.5 AI-s

sig 15-30mm by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

Sigma 15-30mm

sig 10-20mm by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

Sigma 10-20mm (4-5.6 version that doesn't like the shade mounted like I did)

nikkor 35mm f2 by Wildlight Images, on Flickr

Nikkor 35 F2

I like the Nikkor 35mm F2 and there are about a dozen Turkey Vultures in the sky of this image. That doesn't mean it's better or better than anything here...it means I like the colors ...it pops and the sharpness is tack sharp on my sample. I like the 10-20mm too. I never liked my 15-30mm at 15mm, but in the woods among the trees I love this lens. Now I have to do another comparison without the CP on the Tamron 24-48mm because as of right now....the Nikkor 25-50mm does posses some very interesting qualities when I compare these two that would lead me to favor it ....not better...just more suited to what appeals to me....

Rorslett's comments on the 25-50mm was not about science, sharpness levels, or anything measurable. Rorslett commented on the immeasurable quality the 25-50mm offers as in feeling or specail appeal it has or contains. He expressed his inner non-logical side that an old comfortable thing has this quality that makes it this old comfortable thing he likes

Point? Never be afraid to truthfully express what you see to yourself. Close out those words used that are intended to sway you. You know what you like and if you hesiate for one moment to think ? What are you thinking about; the opinions, the rules, the review, the guidelines, and what the "authorites" say? Or is it the one truth your eyes deliver to your mind unfiltered ? .... Anyone can say anything to anyone regarding anything .... but if you lie to yourself?

Paul · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Hamburg-Germany

The finish of the Vivitar S 1 24-48 looks a lot like the Tamron-style.... (and I know only Tamron to make a lens 24-48....).

I once had the Vivitar S 1 24-70, because the "fotomagazin" tested it "super" - but it couldn't stand my needs and couldn't compete in build and optical quality with my other Series 1-lenses.
In fact it was nearly always a bit too soft unless stopped down dramatically.

Tokina made a fine AT-X 2.8/24-40 though...

The Sigma 21-35 was really a fine lens (better than the Viv 24-70) with such a focal length (in those days).

Oldhand · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 8:10 am Post subject:

I have found one of these Vivitar S1 24-48 lenses in Canon FD mount, and on Lloyd's recommendation I purchased it - very cheaply I might add.
My intention is to use it with film on my Canon film bodies.
A quick run on the digital Fujifilm X-E1 to see how it handles and I am impressed.
I only shoot B&W film so here is a taste in digital mono.
T

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

I'm glad to see this thread has legs some 8 years after I started it. Yes, I still have the S1 24-48, but no I haven't used it in quite a while. Last time I took it out of the cabinet, I found out its iris blades are stuck again, and I've been putting off servicing it again. I should take care of that.

I have the Tamron 24-48 now, which I've been using on my Pentax MX, so I've got some rolls I need to develop. I did develop a couple using that lens, but the film was really grainy, so I'm in the middle of a do-over. But that's the Tamron.

What I'd really like to do once I get my Vivitar's iris blades squared away (again) will be to do a head to head test with the two lenses. Using my NEX 7, though, which means the corners won't be there. I suppose I could use an FD Canon to test the two -- and then get around to developing the firm. Another thing I've been procrastinating over.

I've got a stack of cameras and lenses that need my attention. I need to get busy doing those repairs I can.

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:25 am Post subject:

I shot some TMAX 100 on the Canon T90 with this wonderful lens.
Here are a couple of samples.
Tom
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