Vivitar 400/5.6 Tokina made worth buying ?

dudu75

Hi there,

I have the opportunity to buy for 45â‚¬ this vivitar lens mase by Tokina according to
the 3xxxx serial number (8 Ã©lÃ©ments).

I've Seen si many average review of preset version (not Tokina built it seems) that I'm wondering if it is a good choice.

Any Idea ? Thanks.

Ultrapix · Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Posts: 575 Location: Italy

At that price I would consider it, especially now that the flaws of those lenses (CA essentially, and maybe not so high contrast) are easy to correct by software...

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 569

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1318 Location: Conwy N Wales

There are two versions of the tokina made (37xxxx serials) vivitars, a heavy 8 element version with a tripod mount and a 5 element one without that is more obviously derived from the equivalent tokina rmc nameplate lens. Both are swappable TX mount - check what mount it comes with otherwise factor in the cost of getting a mount (tend to be pricy when sold alone especially for PK, NAI).
TBH there's not much between the versions iq wise, I would tend towards the 8 element one, and the TM is a plus.
At the price cited I would say price/performance is good and you will be pretty happy as long as your expectations of this vintage lens are realistic. And the komine made one is classy construction and handling but certainly isn't better iq - bit of a fringing monster IME. There are some test pics here on mflenses for that lens actually (for some reason clicking the mflenses logo doesn't go to the front page with links to reviews of lenses, but to hqdesign .. ok googled it). That review by Tom de Nies is a bit over critical IMO, to my eye the test pics look pretty decent (the geese for example).

dudu75 · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2021 5:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all for your advices.

@MarcusBMG : I've just received a Soligor 400/6.3 with a T4 mount + a Soligor M42 adapter. According to what I read I should be able to put the latter on the Vivitar TX mount. Isn't it ?

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1318 Location: Conwy N Wales

Yes the M42 mounts are AFAIK interchangeable, work the same whether T4 or TX.
The one issue with them (feature rather than issue) is that the stop down A-M switch is spring loaded - you have to hold it when taking the pic. The mount can be modded to change this see:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/71852-question-regarding-m42-vivitar-300mm.html