Vivitar Series 1 in comparison

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Speaking of Vivitar Series 1....I know you don't need another lens to drool over....but the 90-180mm flat field zoom may not have the image quality of a prime macro,but it's quite close...as Robert Monaghan says,"this macro zoom is designed to provide the highest possible quality continuously down to its closest macro settings"....and the zoom gives you more framing options.

Screamin Scott · Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 7:00 pm Post subject:

Now that's one I'd like to have, but they are seldom seen on eBay or in the used dept of camera shops.....Plus, it goes for more $$$ than I'm willing to spend

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

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

I can recommend the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 macro (52B or 52BB) as well. A very sharp optic, even wide open.

If you click on my blog link below, you can read an evaluation of it I conducted just a few days ago. Rather long, but there are lots of photos. It's currently the second post from the top.

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Love my "Dine" Kiron 105's. Very Happy

Kiron Kid

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

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

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Sorry, a short question to the experts here.

does anyone know the f:11/800 mirror Ser. 1? Should be manufactured by Perkin-Elmer around 1980. Any solutions regarding this lens ?

Thanks for your assistance.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

cooltouch: I looked at your site on the Tamron; nice job. Using your lead, here's a couple of currency pictures from my Series 1 90mm f/2.5...
I didn't have a Jackson, so used a Lincoln...

25% crop:

33% crop:

The Vivitar uses an adapter to accomplish 1:1. It has three elements and while it was match mated for the 90mm, I've experimented by using other Minolta MC or MD mount lenses. One arrangement I like is the adapter paired with my 200mm. This gives a good working distance of approximately three to four feet. Doesn't give 1:1, but I will like this for flowers and such that don't need to be that close. It essentially makes the 200mm a close focus lens.Here's a few shots:

and this one at full open f/3.5

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

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Having most of Vivitars Super Telephotos and preset long focal length lens from the 70's including the 1979 600 and 800 preset Vivitars,the 120-600 is a cheap solution versus the modern moderate super telephoto.

Vivitar 120-600/5.6 (and yes the horizon isn't level)That's five miles across the mouth of Admiralty Inlet

Vivitar 120-600

Vivitar 800/8 preset Tokina built (crop)

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Boomer: I'm aware of the 90-180mm Series 1 and I've been tempted, but I'm trying to be restrained.... at least somewhat. I had thought I would determine what my core lens holdings should be and target those only. Well, I've managed to collect a few more than anticipated, but I still have an idea of what I'd like - or I should say what I need - no, that doesn't work either. I have most of the line up now and am only seeking a very few more. I don't see myself needing the 90-180mm. The Series 1 200 f/3 is on its way to me, as is a 24mm Vivitar. I've somehow managed to acquire (story for another time) another Series 1 200mm and that too is on way to me. I'll have a M42 version and an OM version. I'll probably sell one of them. I also have one or two too many Close Focus 28mm lenses.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Boomer, I forgot to ask, do you have the Vivitar 200-400mm ?

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Hi Boomer,

many thanks for the info.

regards

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

oops, make that 100-400mm. A later Vivitar - even with auto focus.

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

I would recommend shooting the lens first before you buy it....

I prefer late 70's & early 80's Vivitars and am not familiar with the lens.I would suggest the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L or similar modern 3rd party lens with this range....

If you don't want to put out that much $$$,then I would suggest a good 3rd party 300 or 400mm manual focus prime.Some good lens listed below.There is a lot of good glass missing from that list,primarily much long tele Nikkor ED and Canon glass from the FD days.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/top_lenses/long+tele/

Can't forget the Tamron SP's
http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/65B.html
http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/60B.html

Can't over look this one with the spherical aberration compensator group
http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/54B.html

More then a few good Nikkors here
http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_tele.html

Good Canon FD to EOS primer here
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/

Interesting ELEFOTO Canon FD to EOS adapter here
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/canon_fd_eos_adapters.html

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

I'll look those over. My camera is a Sony. I suppose this is one of the more modern Vivitars?
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/90179-sale-%5Bsold%5D-%5Bworldwide%5D-vivitar-24mm-f-2-8-auto-aperture-mc-close-focusing-lens.html

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

The more modern Vivitars are Cosina made. Optical and build quality can vary... Sad

KK

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

One of my daughters shot Minolta....but I recently converted her by giving her an old camera bag with an F2,FE and FM2n and five of the best AI and AI-S Nikkors....although Minolta made more then a few excellent lenses....you can never have enough light boxes and lenses of various makes.

That said...if you haven't read it already....here is a good write up on Sony Alpha DSLR & M42 lenses and adapters....

http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/discuss/72157608288010526/

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Yes, Arkku is a frequent poster on the Dyxum (Minolta/Sony) forum. I'm familiar with what is needed for Sony or Minolta mount adaptation or conversion. It is true what he said about converting old Minolta MC/MD lenses; they have a registration distance (RD) shorter than the AF versions and Sony by 1mm. Some of those lenses can be adapted while others are very difficult - all depending on the particular mount. If the removable mount has enough meat, it can be done. The Vivitar Series 1 90mm Minolta mount that I have happens to have very thick mounts which have allowed me to replace the mount with a spacer 2mm less in thickness, then mount a M42 adapter which is 1mm, resulting in the desired 1mm reduction in RD. Basically, almost any lens equal to or greater than 45.5mm RD is a candidate for easy adaptation. I have several lenses lined up for conversion, including Olympus mount and Minolta MD mount. This particular MD mount is thicker than normal, allowing for a reduction. The Olympus is 46mm RD, so I still have an extra .5mm to work with. I'll likely trim off the actual bayonet raised portion of the mount, add a .5mm shim (or washer), and then mount the M42 Sony adapter on top. If all works out well, I should not have to adjust infinity.

Boomer Depp · Expire: 2011-12-04

Another suggestion would be the TX 300 & 400mm lenses with an M42/TX mount.The TX 400 is an improvement over the earlier fixed mount Vivitar 400mm,which were sharp but some had noticeable color fringing.I have one copy of the TX 300mm and two of the TX 400mm lenses,if you're trying to fill the frame closeup out to about a 100' they do surprisingly well,further out they deliver acceptable images wide open,stopping down to f8 or f11 improves the images.Modern Photography did a review in '78 in a publication the Photo Buying Guide 78 of the Vivitar 400/5.6 TX....a few highlights were...

-red spherical flare at 5.6 but gone by f8.
-considerable secondary color aberration
-over-corrected green spherical aberration and under-correct red spherical aberration.
-this lens is better than average
-in filed tests image sharpness was acceptable
-color fringing visible

Res(Cont)..Center......Corner
5.6...........37(53).......26 (42)
8.............42(62)........29 (40)
11............47(64).......33 (36)
16............47(53).......37 (32)
22............47(46).......42 (29)