Vivitar 300mm f5.6 by Tokina

[Oldhand]

Really wasn't expecting much from this lens as it has not received good internet reviews.
It is also - in the reviews tested - a lens with a poor mfd (supposedly around 6 metres/20 feet).
Except that this one is OK and has a respectable mfd of around 4.2 metres.
Here is the lens followed by some sample images.
OH

[mo]

Internet reviews can be helpful or not, I think sometimes you just have to try the lens and see for yourself. They look alright to me,although it looks like it struggles with the red in the first image.

[Oldhand]

Ta Mo.
It isn't a Zeiss that's for sure, but a surprise in just how good.
I bought it 'cause it was cheap, and to fill out a small collection of Tokina longish glass - most are Vivitars but there is one Soligor, and they are all good to very good lenses.
OH

[mo]

I find quite a few lenses struggle with reds so that is no biggie, I only notice because I take a lot of rose photos.Yellow is another color that can play havoc with some lenses....especially in our bright sunshine.

How is this lens for weight? possible to hold in the hand or just on a tripod? I only buy a lens because it is cheap...or within my budget range

[Oldhand]

[mo]

I disliked using tripods because you have to fiddle around with them, but I am finding more and more they are useful...but then you want something like a heavy tripod or one that can bend in a certain direction...I have too many distractions with chasing lenses without chasing tripods..

Do you use these longer lenses for birding,I am thinking how fast or easy is it to focus?

[Boris_Akunin]

I've had that lens for a while, it may be somewhat slow and and not as sharp as more expensive 300's but it's a fine lens.
If you find yourself using it a lot, you can still decide if a more expensive 300 makes sense for you.

It's well worth some beer. (how much exactly is a slab? I thought I knew my SI units...)


regards
Jan

[mo]

A slab is usually 24 bottles (stubbies) or cans of beer in a carton.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I'm very surprised at the performance of this lens. The Hoya (Tokina) 5.6/300 I had was awful, largely due to massive amounts of purple fringing.

[mo]

I guess it comes down to how and in what lighting conditions you use the lens.

[ForenSeil]

[Oldhand]

Here are a couple more goes at that red that was handled not so well in afternoon light.
Early morning light this time.
OH

[mo]

That is a lot better,Do you think it was it any easier in the early morning light capturing the flowers color?

[Oldhand]

[mo]

good choice

[Oldhand]

I mentioned that this 300mm by Tokina is the latest in my attempt to put together a small collection of longer/ish glass from this maker.
Here is the humble lot.
All Vivitars except for the sole Soligor.
Respectively, they are:
Vivitars 2.8/105, 2.8/135, 3.5/200, Soligor 4.5/250 and Vivitar 5.6/300
The first four are T4 type M42 mounts and the last is a fixed Nikon AI mount.
OH

[guardian]

[Phenix jc]

I used this Tokina during the film era. It was on the cheap side, like every third-party lenses, but not that cheap. It's a good lens, with a nice bokeh. Better stopped down. A little slow with a long mfd, but the same thing was true for, say, a Minolta 300/5.6 MD. Nowaday, it goes for peanuts...When it goes.

[Oldhand]

I have been watching some lovely little birds hovering around our back deck and this afternoon went to capture them armed with the trusty Vivitar 5.6/300
Of course, as soon as the camera appeared they went elsewhere - haha.
I must have waited over an our for them to re-appear - to no avail.
Here are a few time fillers from the waiting.
The last is of my grand-daughter who was bird spotting with me.
OH

[mo]

The birds always know when the camera comes out with the right lens attached! Nice capture of your grandaughter.

[Oldhand]

[kryss]

OH...like the Sun on Iris? plant and the one of your granddaughter is excellent,Regards.

[stevemark]