Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro

[cooltouch]

Dayum! The word is out on the Vivitar "Bokina" I guess. Was anybody here bidding on this one?

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=7481707

That's a cool looking extension tube it has. Reminds me of my Nikon PN-1.

[Attila]

I have this lens with extension tube I did try only once I did like all of my other macro lenses better. I couldn't get right focus easily with extension tube I did give it up.

[cantman]

I know, I spent more on this lens than I wanted, but I did not want to let it get away.

In the last week, I've received my Voigtlander Nokton 25/0.95 and now have won the Vivitar S1 90mm f/2.5 macro.

Looks like I'll have tons of fun while learning the personalities of these lenses.

I have a new GH2 and am excited to play!

[Attila]

Congrats! Please share your pictures here!

[cooltouch]

[uhoh7]

I'm too embarrased to say what I paid for this:



shipping wasn't cheap either--came from new zealand. and no tube

it is at least "as new"

[cantman]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! It's always nice to have great ambassadors helping the newbie!

uhoh7....Please tell us what kind of dime you dropped for the Tokina 90/2.5 macro AT-X!? It'll make me feel better!

[Mike Deep]

That's a fairly typical eBay price from what I've seen, maybe a little on the low side. Honestly I'm surprised it doesn't go for more. It's reputation is legendary and it still bests many current macros. Maybe the 1:1 adapter puts some folks off? I've heard a theory that the adapter approach allows for fewer optical compromises, but it's obviously less convenient.

Anyway, I can't wait for bugs to start coming back so I can put this lens back to use!

[uhoh7]

[cantman]

Thank You...uhoh7

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

[uhoh7]

[martinsmith99]

This price is due to its reputation. It's not a bad lens, but I'm not sure it's worth the expenditure over similar lenses.

My Komine & Tamron 90s together cost less than this one; are they half as good?

[AhamB]

[cooltouch]

[woodrim]

Great lens. Usually it's the M42 version that exceeds $200. I got my Minolta set for $100 about a year ago. I don't bother much with the 1:1 adapter as it's too close for my tastes and the DOF is too shallow. I prefer using the lens without adapter as with these shots from last week:

[uhoh7]

super shots

as far as sharpness, many lenses can match the tokina. Well maybe not many---it does have sick rez at distance--but a number of 90s can, I'm sure.

for oof rendering....that's another matter.

a few examples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/odderikgarcia/sets/72157605564009337/

Maybe the tamron can do that too: post up some links!

Mint copies going under 200----not often any more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-TOKINA-AT-X-90mm-f2-5-MACRO-LENS-w-1-1-EXTENDER-/290536805052?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item43a557d2bc

but this will be an interesting test:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260745334179&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT

@cooltouch: the 55 nikon f/3.5 has to be the best nikon value of any lens on today's market. Can be had for 45USD. In fact for shear sharpness, it may be the best value of any lens. It is beyond sharp. I know there are good 5 and 10 dollar lenses, but none can match the 55 I don't think---well I await correction anyway.

I was given one, but have not used it yet, instead using a good copy of the 2.8 55 I bought for 80USD.

phenomenonally sharp.

supposedly they are equal close to mid distance, but the 2.8 is a bit better at infinity. As you know, the 2.8 suffered from bad oil in the first 80,000 or so. Bjorn what's his name gave up on testing it for this reason.

I can say it kills his beloved 28 f/2 AI in resolution.

[woodrim]

uhoh7: Are those Flicker pictures yours? Excellent. As for many other lenses matching sharpness, really? Although I agree there comes a point where they are sharp enough without splitting hairs. Mine is the Vivitar Series 1 version. I've said before in this forum that it continues to surprise me that this lens, in either of its marketing forms, doesn't get more mention. Bring up the focal length (and this one is really 87mm from what I've read) and people will start talking about all the usual names; Jupiter, Helios, Takumar, etc. But I suppose the seling prices indicate that there are plenty of others that recognize this lens' quality.

[uhoh7]

[cooltouch]

Those are a couple of remarkable shots, Woodrim.

I don't usually promote my blog here, but you might want to take a look at the article I wrote on three macro lenses and a zoom with a decent macro setting a while back. I've posted the link here at the forum before, but in case you missed it, you might want to have a look. The article centers on the Vivitar (Kiron) 105mm f/2.5, the Tamron 90mm f/2.5, the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5, and the Tamron SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4. Be sure to click on the images twice to see them full size.

http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/?p=56

Also, I've posted these images here before, but I'll go ahead and do it again, since uhoh7 is asking.

This is one of the best photos I've managed to take in terms of image resolution with my Tamron 90:

Full frame:


100% crop:


And another -- the insect is about 2cm long, from head to toes:


And a 100% crop of the above:


The Micro Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 full frame:


Micro Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 100% crop:

[uhoh7]

check it out:

316USD

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=260745334179&si=Qiyw9Z%252BTcOQNzMHmoqkFTjFkjfY%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESINDXX%3AIT

[wilco]

I paid $465 for mint copy, comes with tube and case for nikon mount. I never regret that.

[cooltouch]

Hooboy!