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My first true macro lens: vivitar 55/2.8 Auto Macro
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 5:54 pm    Post subject: My first true macro lens: vivitar 55/2.8 Auto Macro Reply with quote
This is my first true macro lens , just received it today evening ,payed around 75 dollars(current exchange rate wise) for this lens ,lens is in near mint condition and by god it is sharp Shocked Surprised ,just two shots in the fading evening light with the pop up flash diffuser ,camera is Sony Nex-3







I know ,i know dirty sensor!!!
I have one question though ,will the vivitar macro focusing TC or the kenko MC7 TC work well with this lens???


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Vivitar 7-element Macro Focusing TC will work with any lens that shares its mount. If your 55/2.8 goes down to a 1:2 magnification ratio, using this TC will get you to 1:1. It is an excellent TC, one of the best I've ever used.

I don't know anything about the Kenko TC, but chances are it will work also. Usually there is only a problem with a TC if it has a protruding element, restricting its use to certain telephotos.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cooltouch wrote:
The Vivitar 7-element Macro Focusing TC will work with any lens that shares its mount. If your 55/2.8 goes down to a 1:2 magnification ratio, using this TC will get you to 1:1. It is an excellent TC, one of the best I've ever used.

I don't know anything about the Kenko TC, but chances are it will work also. Usually there is only a problem with a TC if it has a protruding element, restricting its use to certain telephotos.

well this lens goes 1:1 natively without any TC ,i just want to increase the working distance !! I heard a lot about the vivitar 2x macrofocusing TC , i will probably never us e the macro ring on the TC with this lens ,but the & element design seems to be better than other TCs!!! Any way Thanks for your comments!!


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lovely lens. I think I had about 5 of them, and still use one regularly!

If you like a longer working distance, why don't look for the Vivitar 90mm f/2.8? Also made by Komine, and a kind of a sleeper in my opinion! Don't know about the prices right now, but I found them cheap in the past.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There are at least two different Vivitar 90mm macros, both of which are good lenses. There is the Komine-made 90mm f/2.8, which can usually be found on eBay for less than $200US, and then there is the Tokina-made Vivitar S1 90mm f/2.5, which is the same lens basically as the legendary "Bokina." The only real difference between the Bokina and the Vivitar is the coatings. It is said that the Bokina's coatings are better, but folks who have compared the two say that the differences are negligible. This Tokina-made Vivitar goes for about the same as the Bokina does, which can be $300 and higher.

One of the nice things about either of these lenses is they both focus down to 1:1.

So the word is out on both lenses, really, especially the Tokina-made one. If you can find the Komine-made 90/2.8 for under $150, that's a good deal these days.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice pictures. Gratz on the new purchase.

What was the aperture on these shots? Looks like DoF was super thin.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
drjs wrote:
Nice pictures. Gratz on the new purchase.

What was the aperture on these shots? Looks like DoF was super thin.


I think it was f4 of 5.6 !! was just testing so didt worry much about aperture ,maybe in daylight i will take a few more ,but first i have gotta get the sensor
@ cooltouch -the vivitar 90mm is also a great lens if i can find in our local Ebay i will definitely snap it ,but FYI -the "bokian" dosent go 1:1 natively ,you will need a specially made matched adapter for that lens to go 1:1 or a TC ,but its the best macro lens sold under vivitar brand!!! Anyway thanks for your suggestions!!


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
raay04 wrote:
FYI -the "bokian" dosent go 1:1 natively ,you will need a specially made matched adapter for that lens to go 1:1 or a TC ,but its the best macro lens sold under vivitar brand!!! Anyway thanks for your suggestions!!


Sorry, you're right. I mis-read the description on one eBay listing. So, in a way, then, that makes the 90/2.8 rather useful, doesn't it? Since it does go to 1:1.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cooltouch wrote:
There are at least two different Vivitar 90mm macros, both of which are good lenses. There is the Komine-made 90mm f/2.8, which can usually be found on eBay for less than $200US, and then there is the Tokina-made Vivitar S1 90mm f/2.5, which is the same lens basically as the legendary "Bokina." The only real difference between the Bokina and the Vivitar is the coatings. It is said that the Bokina's coatings are better, but folks who have compared the two say that the differences are negligible. This Tokina-made Vivitar goes for about the same as the Bokina does, which can be $300 and higher.

One of the nice things about either of these lenses is they both focus down to 1:1.

So the word is out on both lenses, really, especially the Tokina-made one. If you can find the Komine-made 90/2.8 for under $150, that's a good deal these days.


Gosh, I used to buy them for around 30
or 40 € a few years ago.
The Tokina i used to have as well, was stupid enough
To sell it later (didnt do much macros back then). The Tokina is as good as people say, but overpriced if you asked me. Particularly because most modern macros are fabulous.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
raay04 wrote:
drjs wrote:
Nice pictures. Gratz on the new purchase.

What was the aperture on these shots? Looks like DoF was super thin.


I think it was f4 of 5.6 !! was just testing so didt worry much about aperture ,maybe in daylight i will take a few more ,but first i have gotta get the sensor
@ cooltouch -the vivitar 90mm is also a great lens if i can find in our local Ebay i will definitely snap it ,but FYI -the "bokian" dosent go 1:1 natively ,you will need a specially made matched adapter for that lens to go 1:1 or a TC ,but its the best macro lens sold under vivitar brand!!! Anyway thanks for your suggestions!!


I would certainly try to keep it at F/8 or smaller for very close shots like these. The DoF on macro mode will be super thin and you often won't be able to keep the entire object in focus unless you focus stack or use very small aperture.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Back when I bought my Panagor 55/3 Macro, I read somewhere that the same lens was marketed under different names and the apertures were just labeled differently to give the appearance of being different lenses. It's a good lens. I find it's colors to be on the cool side.

You're right about the S1 90/2.5 requiring an adapter to reach 1:1. I rarely if ever use it, preferring close-up to macro. The price used to vary greatly depending on mount type with M42 commanding the highest prices. However, today with all the mirrorless cameras, I suspect they are all more expensive. I paid $100 for mine at B&H, in great condition and complete with adapter in Minolta MC/MD mount.

I have just posted some images from last evening with the 90/2.5
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1347350.html#1347350


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats! why do you like to increase working distance to get better light ? macro creatures are little, closer distance give better result and much less expensive than longer focal length lenses.Key I think in macro work lighting, macro stack software and how to catch fast subject. A reverse mount lens give you extreme magnification.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
Back when I bought my Panagor 55/3 Macro, I read somewhere that the same lens was marketed under different names and the apertures were just labeled differently to give the appearance of being different lenses. It's a good lens. I find it's colors to be on the cool side.

You're right about the S1 90/2.5 requiring an adapter to reach 1:1. I rarely if ever use it, preferring close-up to macro. The price used to vary greatly depending on mount type with M42 commanding the highest prices. However, today with all the mirrorless cameras, I suspect they are all more expensive. I paid $100 for mine at B&H, in great condition and complete with adapter in Minolta MC/MD mount.

I have just posted some images from last evening with the 90/2.5
http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1347350.html#1347350


100 dollar is a great deal for that lens.


PostPosted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
drjs wrote:
raay04 wrote:
drjs wrote:
Nice pictures. Gratz on the new purchase.

What was the aperture on these shots? Looks like DoF was super thin.


I think it was f4 of 5.6 !! was just testing so didt worry much about aperture ,maybe in daylight i will take a few more ,but first i have gotta get the sensor
@ cooltouch -the vivitar 90mm is also a great lens if i can find in our local Ebay i will definitely snap it ,but FYI -the "bokian" dosent go 1:1 natively ,you will need a specially made matched adapter for that lens to go 1:1 or a TC ,but its the best macro lens sold under vivitar brand!!! Anyway thanks for your suggestions!!


I would certainly try to keep it at F/8 or smaller for very close shots like these. The DoF on macro mode will be super thin and you often won't be able to keep the entire object in focus unless you focus stack or use very small aperture.


yes .i will do that but yesterday was not using small F stop due to dust on sensor!!!! Embarassed


PostPosted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
Congrats! why do you like to increase working distance to get better light ? macro creatures are little, closer distance give better result and much less expensive than longer focal length lenses.Key I think in macro work lighting, macro stack software and how to catch fast subject. A reverse mount lens give you extreme magnification.


Catching insects would be more easier( still really tough though) with greater working distance ,but for small plants this is More than enough!!!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
a few more---








Illuminated with built in flas diffused through a tube ,something like
http://renseblog.stellaria.nl/#post42

by fellow forum member Rense


PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice to see your happiness, RenseH is best what I know was wise to follow him!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
Nice to see your happiness, RenseH is best what I know was wise to follow him!

yes , and I think i will use this lens more than any other MF lens Smile Smile Smile
Few macro by me with a Helios 58 reverse mounted on a Powershot A550/A590


http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekray/sets/72157625290840218/
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