Neg Post about zooms got me thinking-Vivitar 35-70mm 2.8-3.8

[saffersteve]

I always get the feeling that zooms get a bad rap.....in the posts.

So I dug out a few zooms.......some are bad....but some not.

The Series 1 Vivitar 70-210mm I put to one side......this already has a good name.

The smaller 35-70 stepped up to the plate. I think it is ok..on the nex-5n

F2.8 35mm range.

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[SonicScot]

Apart from a touch of under-exposure I'd say you've proved a point well. I have the 70-210 and have thought about the 35-70, shots like this push me further towards buying one.
Thanks for the example.

[Excalibur]

In my tests:- some zooms, at their sweet spots and stopped down, can equal an average prime from well known makes i.e. you cannot see a difference in sharpness in a normal sized print. And would also add some zooms give a nice bokeh as well.

[std]

No offense but I'm not convinced by the image you have posted.
Even average 35mm primes will do it better.

[saffersteve]

Hi

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that zooms are equal or better than primes.
(the 30+ primes in my collection are proof which is best)

Just that they get a negitive almost don't pick one up they a waste reputation and I would like to give this lens a bit of limelight.
Well done manufacturer for Vivitar. Thank you for this lens.

They are what they are a compromise in optics to get different focal lengths.

They are fun. Give IMHO a good picture and teach users how to frame without moving.


And for the price welll I'll just say value for money....

Try one

[LucisPictor]

I agree. Some zoom lenses are really good. I especially like several Tamron zooms and that Vivitar that you mention is also a really good lens - and pretty fast!

[Lloydy]

The wide Vivitar S1's are good, and I believe under rated. I have a 24-48 3.8 which is a terrific performer on my Pentax K10.

I keep looking at this 35-70 when I see it for sale, but I resist because I have it pretty much covered by the 24-48 and the 70-210.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I tried lots of zooms and most were not good, but some were very good.

All the Konica zooms I have are very good indeed, as good as primes from lesser makers, in fact, they are better than a lot of cheap third party primes.

MC Rolleinar 4/80-200 was very good, it's a Mamiya

Soligor 70-150 made by Tamron was very good too, at f8 and distance, it was very sharp.

Panagor (Kiron) 70-150 was also very good, it's also sold as a Yashica ML, Nikon E and others.

But there were many that were bad, distortion, CA, bad bokeh, softness, low contrast, often all present at same time.

[Webwalker]

Speaking about zoom vs prime, I recently read a discussion of Sony NEX users about Minolta MD 35-70mm f/3,5. They say it shows very good results. Here copied comparison with primes. (OKC 35/2 is a cinecamera lens)
It is simple resolution test. Left upper corner.