Vivitar Series 1 f:2.8-4.0/70-210 with Canon FD mount

[Rolf]

Hi,

got this lens few years ago from the seller of my Canon F-1 I bought as a gift. The lens has some scratches on the front lens. So I never used it digital. This afternoon I tried it out with a FD > EOS glass adapter.

Below a sample pic with 1DsMkIII



For a gift not too bad

[djmike]

It's great as a gift. Good luck.
Mike

[Russ]

Left to right:
Vivitar Series 1 (Kiron model), f/3.5
Vivitar Series 1 (Tokina model), f/3.5
Vivitar Series 1 (Komine model), f/2.8-4
Kiron 70-210. f/4 with Zoom-lock

Regarding Viv S-1 glass. There are numerous ( Series 1, 70-210 lenses. However, for the sake of discussion, we will deal with the first three. The following editions are nothing to seriously consider, so we will concentrate on the first three editions, which are the good one's. The 4th & 5th editions are also 2.8-4 variable aperture model's, but lacking in construction quality (Cosina built). Due to the fact that the third one is a variable aperture lens, (2.8-4) it will be somewhat sharper than a fixed aperture lenses. It is much easier to design and build a quality variable aperture lens.

The first edition was designed by Vivitar (Ellis Betensky of NASA Optics fame), had a hand in it, and it was built by Kiron. (67mm filter) It is a professional caliber lens, with a 1:2 macro feature built into it. It was the first zoom, designed with the aid of computers, that truly rivaled the OEM lenses of the time. That was in "76."

The second edition (my personal favorite) was built by Tokina, per, Vivitars specs. It too, is a fixed 3.5 aperture, but smaller, lighter and sharper. (62mm filter size). I really like it because of the fixed 3.5 aperture which is nice for focusing in dim light and long range flash work. However, not a true macro, 1:4 life size.

The third edition was made by Komine, and like the first two, is very well built. It is a 2.8-4 variable aperture lens, and the sharpest of the bunch. It has 1:2.5 life size macro from 100-210mm's, with a working distance of about two feet. Which can be quite useful. Can you see a discernible difference in slides taken with either one of them? No! Don't get caught up in bench tests. Any of the first three editions will give you professional-publishable images. I really like this lens, and over time, has become my favorite of the line.

Personally, I recommend the second or third edition of the line. I have and use all three of the first editions, and can highly recommend any one of them. Superb optics and construction.

Also, the Kiron 70-210 f/4, is a splendid performer.

QLP (Kiron Kid & MrVivSeries1)

[Rolf]

It´s the Komine (3rd one) Serial No. 28xxxxx

[poilu]

look great result for a glass adapter

[Rolf]

I have added a new thread about the FD glass adapter.

Please look here

http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1001029.html#1001029

[Russ]

Rolf

How do you like your Series 1, 28-90 glass? (they were all made by Komine). It's my favorite lens. The attached snap was made with the S-1 28-90, handheld at a marginal shutter speed. I had it Drum scanned, and the very LARGE prints look great (Velvia 50 film). People that see it, assume that it was shot with a medium format rig. The scan shows the incredible detail that the lens recorded, that you can't see on the slide alone.



Kiron Kid

[Rolf]

Hi Russ,

it´s my standard lens with the F-1. Never tried it out with a digital body until I bought few days an adapter. The weather is actually not very good so at the moment only few samples. I will wait with a final judgement until the weather will be better.

You samples looks really super.

[cooltouch]

I too own a Vivitar S1 28-90. For years, it was one of my most favorite lenses. Some of the best 35mm photos I've ever taken were with my 28-90. That was back in my Canon FD days. Recently I bought one in Nikon mount, so now I can use it on both my Nikon F2 and my EOS DSLR. I'm in love all over again.

Nikon F2, S1 28-90, Ektar 100


Canon F-1, S1 28-90, Kodachrome 64

[Big Dawg]

Love my Series 1 Vivs and for those that do not want to spend for a Series 1 70-210, there is the Kiron made 75-205 one touch lens. A close performer to the Series 1 70-210's but slightly lower quality build...mainly in the finish and not in the quality of construction.

75-205 and two series1 vivs grp. 2&3.