Vivitar 70-150 (Kiron vs Tokina?)

[nameBrandon]

Anyone have any information on the 70-150 /3.8 lenses? I know with the 70-210 there were a few version, of which Kiron and Tokina were a couple of the more desirable versions.. I'm trying to figure out if the same carries over onto the 70-150. From all accounts it appears the 70-150 is a great lens, on par with the 70-210 but just trying to get some more detailed info before making a purchase decision.

[Boris_Akunin]

Here are some resolution figures for the Tokina (compared to the Tamron 70-150/3.5):
http://adaptall-2.org/lenses/20A.html

[bernhardas]

Edited

[memetph]

I have this Vivitar which I bought because of its reputation.
It is extremly small and compact. Sharpness is OK but I don't like the coulours and contrasts it produces.
This lens is not. refined in my opinion .
(based on touch version)

[PhantomLord]

For Vivitar 70-150/3.8 lenses there were to versions, both of them made by Kiron as well as "third version" actually branded Kiron.
- Vivitar 70-150/3.8 - two touch zoom
- Vivitar 70-150/3.8 - one touch - push-pull zoom
- Kiron 70-150/4 - one touch - push-pull zoom

I've two of them, Kiron's own and Vivitar's two touch zoom. Kiron is fantastic lens, wide-open it's very comparable to Vivitar 70-210, stopped down it's indistinguishable. It's a great lens if you're going to travel light - I've used it on various occasions in the last summer during mountains trip.
As for Vivitar 70-150/3.8 - two touch zoom, I just bought it recently and didn't have time to check it but at first it seems a little bit softer then the Kiron's own version, although I have to admit that my copy of Vivitar has nasty fungus net on the whole of the one internal lens, which I didn't have time to clean yet.

Mateusz

[davev8app]

i beleve the vivitar one touch 70-150 f3.8 and the kiron 70-150 f4 are the same lens. i am speculating that its a vivitar design and the F stop discrepancy i believe is vivitar not wanting kino to compete directly withe thier own design ..another one i know of is the viv S1 28-90 f2.8-3.5 the kino branded one is a 28-85 f2.8 -f3.8
I have the kino 70-150 not tested it properly but 1st shots very promising


i was walking round with the camera and duggie my son toddled into the workshop and fetched on old Sony that i try to fit to a go cart.. its the wrong round way but close.....maybe a macro selfy

Kiron 70-150


and the crop...cannot say if the focus is spot on as he was moving at the time ..i not remember the F stop but was a dull day cumming up to dusk so maybe wide open

[nameBrandon]

Thanks all! I did manage to find some additional information, though no real determination on if the Vivitar sub-contracted manufacturers made such a large difference as they did for the Series 1 70-210 (which I also picked up on eBay last night!).

Flickr discussion from ~6-7 years ago - https://www.flickr.com/groups/365610@N21/discuss/72157607712069059/?search=Vivitar

Another smaller discussion - https://www.flickr.com/groups/365610@N21/discuss/72157637111233906/

I've never owned a non-modern zoom lens so I may wait to evaluate the Vivitar 70-210 before jumping onto the 70-150.

[JJB]

I have the Kiron one-touch version (the f4). I posted some sample shots as did another forum member for the the two ring version in the link below.

The 70/150 is very compact, about 2/3 the size of a beer can. I also have the Series 1 70/210 Kiron and it is huge and heavy. Also a reliable performer.

Both can be had fairly cheaply. I see them regularly on ebay for US $20-30.

http://forum.mflenses.com/kiron-70-150-f4-macro-focusing-zoom-some-test-shots-t68972.html

[nameBrandon]

[davev8app]

i would look for both a get the 1st bargain that cums along ..my kiron came with its hood that reverses, fits close to the body and the cap clips in the end oh it...very neat and compact

[dimitrygo]

There are both Kiron and Tokina made versions, the Tokina one is much more rare. https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidneal/4730621633 - this one is in T4 mount, I think I saw also in fixed mounts but not 100% sure.

[Oldhand]

[davev8app]