Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 vs Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 Macro

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3221 Location: The Netherlands

A comparison between these 2 great classics!
I tried to conduct this test as carefully as possible. Still, there is the chance of human error. However, similar differences were found at all tested focal distances. Camera used is a Lumix G1 (m4/3) so there is a significant crop. Properties like CA and distortion were not tested.

Close distance (approximately 1:2):

At wider apertures, the Micro-Nikkor shows better micro-contrast and sharpness. @f/8 there is virtually no difference. And @f/16 both lenses show a similar decline in image quality.

About 2 meters distance:

Here also, the Nikkor shows better micro-contrast @f/2.8. At f/4 however, the differences are small and @f/8 there is no significant difference to be found. Comparable decline @f/16.

@ long distance:

And again. Better micro contrast from the Nikkor @ f/2.8 and f/4. Color reproduction better @ f/2.8. @f/8 no significant differences.

Conclusion: considering that the Micro-Nikkor is considered one of the sharpest lenses in this focal range ever made, the Vivitar turns out to be a solid performer! Above f/8 (and possibly @f/5.6) you might grab the Vivitar because it goes down to 1:1 without the need of a macro-extension. Mechanical quality of both lenses is excellent. Nice feature of the Vivitar is the half-stop increments of the aperture ring.

Please feel free to comment.

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

Thanks..... tests like this or helpful and we need more comparing top lenses to others to see if it's worth paying out extra money when a close 2nd best would be good enough. My Vivitar is Komine made, did Kiron etc make it as well.

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3221 Location: The Netherlands

I believe it is only Komine made, but I'm not sure.

raay04 · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 340 Location: India

only Komine made this lens

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

Thanks for doing this, Casper. I had been wondering how that Vivitar 55mm stacks up against a Micro Nikkor. I think your comments are on target. Having the 1:1 ability is a nice feature and when out in the real world, the very slight differences between the two optics will be insignifcant. Good color and contrast displayed by that Vivitar, too.

Incidentally, I own a 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor, an old Pre-AI version made in the mid-60s. It too is an exceedingly sharp lens. I tested it against Vivitar's legendary Series 1 105mm f/2.5 macro, built by Kiron, that also goes down to 1:1. The Vivitar was clearly not as sharp as the Micro Nikkor. So I feel safe in extrapolating that if the Vivitar 105 were tested head-to-head against the Vivitar 55, the 55 would show superior resolution.

raay04 · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 340 Location: India

Ray Parkhurst · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:26 pm Post subject:

It's more than likely the Nikkor is limited more by mirror slap and shutter shake (if you're using a DSLR in normal mode) than by lens quality. I find that even at 1:3 or 1:4 magnification, mirror slap dominates macro sharpness at pixel level. Going to Live View mode if you are using a Nikon or Canon will help this. If you're using a NEX or other MILC, then only shutter shake will affect the image and this only seems to matter above 1:2...Ray

Edited to add...just saw the note on top of each pic...Lumix G1, a MILC. So minimal image degradation at all the magnifications shown here...well, maybe a little at 1:2...Ray

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3221 Location: The Netherlands