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`Image' by Vivitar?
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:43 pm    Post subject: `Image' by Vivitar? Reply with quote

I've seen a few of these come up recently. Mainly an 80-200 zoom but I've just noticed a MC Vivitar 28-70/3.9-4.8 Macro Zoom Lens.

Any views on these lenses?


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Around 85-205 fix 3.8 macro lens is a pretty good one and dirt cheap.
http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/mfl_club_members/luisalegria/viv85205/

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/vivitar/


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Attila, but I was talking specifically about the ones that had the `Image' brand name.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I couldn't follow you.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The lens was labeled "IMAGE by Vivitar".

Maybe some kind of rebranding of another lens. There was one on ebay earlier. I just wondered if it was really a Vivitar or some cheap junk lens.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never seen any lens with this label, pretty good chance this one was crap or below average.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a boxed one earlier which showed the IMAGE logo but there's a listing on the auction site now item number 230301665614.

I thought it may be junk but sometimes there is a gem.

Are the all the Series 1 Vivitars decent quality?


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had many of them all was decent quality lenses, but not better than equivalent Nikkor lenses and not much weaker more less same but different a bit.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Martin, I have the MC Vivitar Image 28-70/1:3.9-4.8 zoom. It came with a K2 camera I bought. Attila is right - it's not exactly a Canon L! I wouldn't bother Smile


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys. Very helpful as ever.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't have a Series 1 Viv, but from what I've heard they're excellent quality if you like zooms, equivalent to Tamron SP.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the eBay merchant was North American then the lens may have been rebadged for one of the photoshop chains - in Canada I think Blacks / Astral Photo.
I have a 135 that I've always found decent.

Jim


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Viv Series 1 lenses are usually pretty good, but check out the monaghan listings on this forum for "cult" lenses. I have two of the Ser 1 macro lenses and both are fabulous, I also have the 135/2.8 close focus which is great. There is a strange "AF" 200/3.5 that is extremely sharp also. Check around, they can be pretty good


patrickh


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
I had many of them all was decent quality lenses, but not better than equivalent Nikkor lenses and not much weaker more less same but different a bit.


Maybe not better than Nikkor but most are cheaper. Very Happy
I like the Series 1 Vivitars, they are decent lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well know ones like 200mm f3, 135mm f2.3 , 28mm f1.9 etc prices are same than Nikkor not cheaper at all mostly higher.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check the serial number if you can. Vivitar didn't make their own lenses but the SN will tell you who did make it. Some are gmes, some aren't.

SN starting with 22 is Kiron, never had a bad "22" lens.

other numbers: http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Arlon wrote:
Check the serial number if you can. Vivitar didn't make their own lenses but the SN will tell you who did make it. Some are gmes, some aren't.

SN starting with 22 is Kiron, never had a bad "22" lens.

other numbers: http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm


Agreed about 22 and also 28 (Komine). But I think this only works for lenses made before around 1990. My Viv Image zoom is s/no 77700386 - it's not on the list, so I guess it was made after 1990 Smile


PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have great experience with serial started 37xxx


PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

peterqd wrote:
Arlon wrote:
Check the serial number if you can. Vivitar didn't make their own lenses but the SN will tell you who did make it. Some are gmes, some aren't.

SN starting with 22 is Kiron, never had a bad "22" lens.

other numbers: http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm


Agreed about 22 and also 28 (Komine). But I think this only works for lenses made before around 1990. My Viv Image zoom is s/no 77700386 - it's not on the list, so I guess it was made after 1990 Smile


Your serial/numbered 7770086 lens, was mady by Kobori. Kobori didn't make any of the Series 1 lenses. But, the Kobori models are usually decent in quality and well built. That Vivitar production code that is floating around the Internet is not entirely correct. There are some mistakes and missing #'s. I'll have to correct it sometime soon. I've attached a snap of the Kobori made Vivitar 28-105. A decent lens, but nowhere near the quality of the superb Kiron 28-105.




Russ (Kiron Kid & Mr.Viv.Series1)


Last edited by Russ on Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:52 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
I have great experience with serial started 37xxx


The #37xxxx lenses were made by Tokina, and are usually very good when in the Series 1 line.

Russ


PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

patrickh wrote:
There is a strange "AF" 200/3.5 that is extremely sharp also. Check around, they can be pretty good.

patrickh



Indeed. I agree. In one test, it bested the legendary Nikon 180mm prime. Here's a snap I made while handholding the Viv S-1 200mm f/3.5AF lens.

Russ