Vivitar 200 f=3 , snip the tip?

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

Hello,

I have a dilemma, i bought an vivitar ( 200 f=3 ) for a small price and can't deside if it's worth cutting a part from the aperture pin.

( the pin hits my box inside an it wil not fit).

(it feels like ripping the mercedes logo from your car, still drives the same but.... it dousnt feel like a mercedes enymore).

But always wanted a fast tele lens.
Anyone any experience with this lens ?

( its to fit my olympus e-620)

Thanks Karel.

(MD minolta)

martyn_bannister · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 1151

Can you undo the screws holding the plate around the pin and remove the pin? Replace the plate and keep the pin safe somewhere in case you ever want to replace it.

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

first thing i tried ^^

But the pin is attached to a half circle whith springs that is a part off the apreture maganisem.

(ps it's hell to open this lens, they hide screws evrywere. Razz

)

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Netherlands

Probably you can make the pin a bit shorter without making it unusefull for Minolta MD. That pins are often somewhat longer than needed.

Laurentiu Cristofor · Joined: 23 Oct 2010 Posts: 524 Location: WA, USA

Is that the Vivitar Series 1 lens? Congratulations on acquiring a cult lens! Read more about it here (scroll down to the Vivitar section). Looks like it's in very nice condition too. That's a great buy.

Maybe you can open the mount and just temporarily remove the pin. But that's just a theory, I never had a Minolta lens.

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

yes it's a cult lens Sad

,

the mean reason i feel bad, if i would nip the tip.

And the pin is part of the aperture mechanism.
So only choice is cutting the pin, or my lightbox (camera).

on the other hand i only paid 15 euro ( about 21 usd). so im not losing alot.

but still. ( if it was an common minolta 200 f4 , The pin was already gone by now).

so i am in a bit in a pickle.

Thanks for your idee's and toughts.

Karel

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

This lens has an MD mount, right?

Now, what are the chances that this lens will ever be used again on a cam with MD mount?
There is no digital cam with that mount. Minolta film cameras can be bought for almost nothing and despite being wonderful cams in their days this shows their significance nowadays.

If you shorten that pin you can use it and it also can be used on a NEX, a µ4/3 and so so...

This lens is said to be one of the sharpest tele lenses ever, so it would be shame if it couldn't see any usage anymore. It will give you a 400mm equivalent with f/3!

I would cut it without hesitation.

And although it might a cult, it is not a classic Leitz or Zeiss glass which some would consider a sacrilege to cut things off. Wink

I say, do it and enjoy it!

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

What the others have said. Cut it and enjoy that lens. You won't regret it and you'll look back and laugh about this afterward. Go for it!!!!!

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

I'm with Lucis and Dawg. Don't allow the lens to become more important than the photography experience. It's your lens and you should use it to your advantage.

As I said in another related post, I have one in M42 mount for sale. I have two of them, otherwise would never part.

Laurentiu Cristofor · Joined: 23 Oct 2010 Posts: 524 Location: WA, USA

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

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

Thank u all for helping me make up my mind!

Today i did it, the pin is shortend.

Karel

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

Ok first thoughts.

Pros

sharp for an 200mm ( even at f=3)
verry close focusing range
accaptble weight
Beatiful collors ( for me '( green)
smooth bokeh ( agian personal)

cons

It hates white, blue hue al over the white parts of the Photo ( stops at f=5.6)
Somtimes hard to focus ( could be me, stil need to learn).

will test it more in the coming weeks

All pictures are straight out of the box (e-620)
(nothing special just shots).

F=3

100% crop ( above)

F=5.6

f=3 Blue hue on white spaces

100% crop

The more i will use it the more i will love it, im sure of it.

Karel

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

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

hello,

Just a little question, is there any kind of screw-on filter that would reduce the blue hue ?

Big Dawg · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2530 Location: Thach Alabama

edb · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

KarelDH · Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 169 Location: Belgium

Hi,

I have been testing my lens alot and beside it purks whit white,
If u hit the focus spot on, this lens is idd scharp. ( oh and i love it now !)
(moon picture i took are better croped than any 300 or 400 mm lens i have) ( do not have a real good one).

because it's so hard to focus. These af-chips are they usefull ?

thanks

Handheld at f=5.6

100% crop +2 sharp on camera and tone correction (phshop)

martyn_bannister · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 1151