Information about a Viv 135 2.8

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

Hi guys, first post on forum,
I've bought for 10 bucks a Vivitar 135 mm 2.8 (not close focusing) with an o/om mount and waiting it to be delivered. I've read every post about it on this forum, but they are all really old, so waiting to use it, i would be glad if you can share some opinions on it and most of all, some other photos. Mine it's a Komine one, so i hope it would be a keeper.
Thank you everyone, have a nice day

Sorry mine isn't a fluent english

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

Well I'll start the ball rolling and say....it's a good lens on a film camera and if I didn't have a CZJ Sonnar 135mm would probably use it more.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4745 Location: Cheshire, England

ha ha old posts, there are a few, but the lens it self was very old when they were made. Any comments or tests would still be valid now.
Congratulations on getting this bargain. Most 3rd party 135's are pretty good anyway but a Komine made Vivitar will be better than most.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I agree with Excalibur, it's a good lens - I have two, a Canon FD and a Pentax PK, and I like them. But I also have some other 135's I like a bit more so I don't use the Vivitars.

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

I posted about one a couple years back. I liked it, but like others, I have the Series 1, Tair-11, Meyer, and Komura, so it would not get much use. Reluctantly sold it. Here are three examples using a short extension tube...

Mir · Expire: 2017-09-30

@pandakoala,

I wouldn't rely to much on woodrim's opinion....

He as a tendency to make just about any lens look good.... Rolling Eyes

bernhardas · Expire: 2017-05-23

Edited

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

Here's the secret... Point, focus, click. Looking back through my folder of images from that lens, it really was quite good. It was near mint and I too paid only $10 for M42 mount. It just gets down to how many lenses do we really need - or even want. I'll always first pick up one of the others I mentioned, so I try (as hard as it is) to be (semi) practical about it. And even after saying this, I'd buy the elusive Trioplan if I found one for a good price.

pandakoala: You have stumbled upon a very good lens for cheap. That's good, but my advice is to try to resist buying lenses on price alone. This is advice that has been repeated many times in this forum to many people. Those people then offer the same advice after buying many lenses on price. The exception would be if the hunt and subsequent discovery is what gives you pleasure. Still, I suggest making a short list for each focal length you would like to have. There is plenty here to help make that list, you just have to sort through it all. After knowing what you want, then buy when the deal is good.

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

"lens whisperer" was so funny!!!!!
Thank you all for the answers.
@woodrim, thank you so much for your shots, i've seen some of them in the topics i read.
I was looking for some cheap 135 mm for portraits and macro (with tubes) and i searched among the cheap lenses with a good ratio money/value, so i read more than one considered this a nice lens, and for 10 bucks i thought it could be a deal, so not so blind search!

I'm not a compulsive buyer and i hope this Vivitar could give me some interesting shots.
When i'll find a deal i would like to pick up a 44-m helios, which is common and cheap, and as i saw around the internet, relatively sharp , (love the bokeh)

Sorry to bother you, have you still some pics without the tubes, merely with the 135?

Ps, Am i able to suscribe this post? I thougt i did it but never received the notifications

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

Having looked through my photos, I have very little to offer that wasn't a close-up, either with or without tubes. Sorry.

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

it doesn't matter, you were really kind, i just have to wait to receive this lens and make some tests

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I just came across these taken with my Vivitar 135, this was without tubes and is straight out of the camera ( Pentax K10 )

It's a lens I used a lot, and got good results from it.

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

@Lloydy
Thank you so much, good results Cool

!!!!!
I Hope mine would arrive soon to test it! Can't wait

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

arrived today!!!
Just did some test shots, it seems to me very very sharp, with almost no ca even wide open.
So happy!!!,
Tomorrow if I can, i would upload some shots Very Happy

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

all wide open, not bad, I have to find some spare time to really test it

only some test shot

first should be 5.6

norland · Joined: 10 Aug 2013 Posts: 165

I have a Vivitar 135mm f2.8 (serial number 28319217) which was used with a Canon FTbn in pre-digital days.
It 's a good lens, that one day will come back into infinity-focus use on a slimmer camera than my present Sony A57.

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

At least the first image is not likely to be wide open since it shows the octagonal shape of the diaphragm. Good images. Hope you enjoy.

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

yes, for sure, i should have messed up while uploading,
the others are 2.8, the first, should be at 5.6, but i have to check it.
Hope to use it soon

pentaxpete · Joined: 02 Dec 2011 Posts: 651 Location: BRENTWOOD England

is THIS the Vivitar 135mm f2.8 ? this is Pentax K fit and it was free with a Cosina camera

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

yes it is!!!!
I find it very interesting lens!!! You have to try it

Oldhand · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 8:46 pm Post subject:

Congratulations on your fortuitous find.
The Vivitars in 135mm made by Komine are splendid lenses.
Here is mine:

and a sample:

Happy snaps
OH

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10

this was really stunning!!!! Congrats!!!!
I'm now in love with this lens. Wanna do some portraits,I just have to wait a while

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4745 Location: Cheshire, England

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:38 am Post subject:

pandakoala · Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 10