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invisible
![Level 2 Level 2](rating2.gif) Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Posts: 344
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:12 am Post subject: Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5 at the show and shine |
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invisible wrote:
Finally got me a clean Vivitar 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5. It looks like new, with no aperture problems (yet?).
Here are some images from today's show and shine.
1. f/4
1b. 100% crop
2. f/2.8
2b. 100% crop
3. f/5.6
3b. 100% crop
4. f/5.6
Love everything about this lens so far except that it's varifocal. Surprisingly sharp wide open, with more than pleasing bokeh, circular highlights, and with some nice pop to the images. I expected horrible CA but, despite this apparently being a knock on this lens, I thought it was pretty well controlled. |
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Alsatian2017
![Level 1 Level 1](rating1.gif) Joined: 05 Mar 2018 Posts: 238
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:15 am Post subject: |
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Alsatian2017 wrote:
It's quite an optical gem and your images bear witness to that. I've never observed any stronger than usual chromatic aberrations with my copy of the lens, so any claims regarding it might be just another internet myth. On the other hand, the lens suffers from one major flaw mentionned in contemporary magazine reviews which is only obvious with film and full frame sensor cameras : a very pronounced vignetting at the shorter focal lengths (especially at f = 28 mm ) which never disappears even stopped down to f/16. To correct it, I even created a dedicated lens correction profile for Camera Raw and Lightroom. |
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D1N0
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:28 am Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
You can see some vignetting here at 28mm 2.8
Widekeh by The lens profile, on Flickr
And distortion ![Wink](images/smiles/icon_wink.gif) _________________ pentaxian |
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Lloydy
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 7779 Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
It's a great walkabout lens, and I think the performance of this lens is way higher that any other zoom in this range that I've used. I have recently aquired a Pentax a 28-80 / 3.5-4.5 which I haven't tried yet, but I think the Vivitar will be a good competitor. _________________ LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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Alsatian2017
![Level 1 Level 1](rating1.gif) Joined: 05 Mar 2018 Posts: 238
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Alsatian2017 wrote:
Lloydy wrote: |
It's a great walkabout lens, and I think the performance of this lens is way higher that any other zoom in this range that I've used. I have recently aquired a Pentax a 28-80 / 3.5-4.5 which I haven't tried yet, but I think the Vivitar will be a good competitor. |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
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lumens pixel
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 Feb 2019 Posts: 854
Expire: 2021-06-25
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5 at the show and shine |
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lumens pixel wrote:
invisible wrote: |
Finally got me a clean Vivitar 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5. It looks like new, with no aperture problems (yet?).
Here are some images from today's show and shine.
Love everything about this lens so far except that it's varifocal. Surprisingly sharp wide open, with more than pleasing bokeh, circular highlights, and with some nice pop to the images. I expected horrible CA but, despite this apparently being a knock on this lens, I thought it was pretty well controlled. |
Nice! On what camera are you using the lens? _________________ Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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D1N0
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
There is also a Kiron version . Kiron 28-85mm f/2.8-3.8 macro also sold as Vivitar I think. Vivitar chose the Komine for Series 1. But the Kiron is ok too. Mine is stuck wide open with delaminated elements and fungus but still makes decent images (soft of course).
Blossemkeh by The lens profile, on Flickr _________________ pentaxian |
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lumens pixel
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 Feb 2019 Posts: 854
Expire: 2021-06-25
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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lumens pixel wrote:
Alsatian2017 wrote: |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
I never managed to obtain clear corners with the minolta 28-85 and Sony A7II except around 40-60mm. However central sharpness was always top notch. Part of the problem was field curvature, but not only.
The only Canon 28-85 I bought was decentered but looked promising.
If the Vivitar has good homogeneity to the corners it should be a good choice. (Except for the direction of the focus ring). _________________ Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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eggplant
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 May 2020 Posts: 517
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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eggplant wrote:
Some pretty nice images there, even at f2.8. Looks dependable. _________________ UK |
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PBFACTS
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 568
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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PBFACTS wrote:
Alsatian2017 wrote: |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
The Viv s1 28/90 exists in two versions : the first had excessive vignetting, the second not (but as far i know there ino way to check the version)
D1N0 wrote: |
If the Vivitar has good homogeneity to the corners it should be a good choice. (Except for the direction of the focus ring). |
The Kiron/Viv 28/85 has more central sharpness than the komine/viv s1 but less homogeneity around the frame _________________ OM USER .. I KEEP/USE:
Om2 sp + T32 (grip/filter/zoom) + T8
+ Zuiko 16mm 3.5 / 55mm 1.2 / 65-200 4/ x1.4
+ Sigma 8mm 4.0 / 14mm 3.5 / 18-35 3.5-4.5
+ Tamron 35/105 2.8
+Tokina 150/500 5.6
+ Kiron 105/2.8 macro 1:1
+ Vivitar S1 90/180 falst field macro
+ 2x Doubler HR7
>>I SELL: OM10 + OM4ti
+ i sell: OM Md1 + Md 2 + Grip PowerPack + charger
+ i sell: OM Zuiko 24mm 2.8 / 28mm 3.5 / 50mm 1.8 / 50mm 1.4 / 50mm 3.5 macro / 35-70 3.6 / 35-105 3.5-4.5 / 75-150 4 / 500mm / 2xA
+ i sell: OM Kiron 28/105 3.2-4.5 / 1.5 converter
+ i sell: OM Makinon reflex 5.6/300 + Spector reflex (makinon) 500mm
+ i sell: OM Macro panagor extender 1:1
+ i sell: OM Sigma 16mm 2.8 fisheye (last version) / 21-35 3.5-4.2 ot/ 28-70 2.8 /1000mm mirror
+ i sell: Tamron 28-70 3.5-4.5 / 28-80 sp 3.5-4.2 / 28-135 sp 4-4.5 / /28-200 3.5 / 35-135 3..5-4.5 / 90mm sp macro 1:1 2.8
+ i sell: OM Soligor 2x doubler / x3 converte
+ i sell: Soligor FisheEye x0.15
+ i sell: OM Tokina 28/135 4-4.6 / 70/210 3.5 (= vivitar S1 v2)
+ i sell: OM Vivitar 28-70 3.5-4.8 / 28-90 s1 2.8-3.5 / 35-70 2.8-3.8 / 55/2.8 Macro 1:1 (komine) / 70-150 3.8 ot (kiron) / 75-150 ot 3.8 (tokina + 2x matched)
+ i sell : OM cosina 100-500 5.6/8 |
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D1N0
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
This is bokeh compared:
Komine
Bubbles by The lens profile, on Flickr
Kiron
Bokeh balls by The lens profile, on Flickr
Shot at different times of course (actually just a day apart). The Kiron does look a bit sharper to my yes despite it's condition. Bokeh is very similar with soft edged bokeh balls. Must be inherent to the varifocal design of these types of zooms. _________________ pentaxian |
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PBFACTS
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 568
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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PBFACTS wrote:
D1N0 wrote: |
Shot at different times of course (actually just a day apart). The Kiron does look a bit sharper to my yes despite it's condition. Bokeh is very similar with soft edged bokeh balls. Must be inherent to the varifocal design of these types of zooms. |
The varifocal system has nothing to do with optical performance.
It's just a way for the manufacturer to simplify the mechanical design by avoiding a cam that picks up the point.
What is done by turning the focus ring could be done by a cam _________________ OM USER .. I KEEP/USE:
Om2 sp + T32 (grip/filter/zoom) + T8
+ Zuiko 16mm 3.5 / 55mm 1.2 / 65-200 4/ x1.4
+ Sigma 8mm 4.0 / 14mm 3.5 / 18-35 3.5-4.5
+ Tamron 35/105 2.8
+Tokina 150/500 5.6
+ Kiron 105/2.8 macro 1:1
+ Vivitar S1 90/180 falst field macro
+ 2x Doubler HR7
>>I SELL: OM10 + OM4ti
+ i sell: OM Md1 + Md 2 + Grip PowerPack + charger
+ i sell: OM Zuiko 24mm 2.8 / 28mm 3.5 / 50mm 1.8 / 50mm 1.4 / 50mm 3.5 macro / 35-70 3.6 / 35-105 3.5-4.5 / 75-150 4 / 500mm / 2xA
+ i sell: OM Kiron 28/105 3.2-4.5 / 1.5 converter
+ i sell: OM Makinon reflex 5.6/300 + Spector reflex (makinon) 500mm
+ i sell: OM Macro panagor extender 1:1
+ i sell: OM Sigma 16mm 2.8 fisheye (last version) / 21-35 3.5-4.2 ot/ 28-70 2.8 /1000mm mirror
+ i sell: Tamron 28-70 3.5-4.5 / 28-80 sp 3.5-4.2 / 28-135 sp 4-4.5 / /28-200 3.5 / 35-135 3..5-4.5 / 90mm sp macro 1:1 2.8
+ i sell: OM Soligor 2x doubler / x3 converte
+ i sell: Soligor FisheEye x0.15
+ i sell: OM Tokina 28/135 4-4.6 / 70/210 3.5 (= vivitar S1 v2)
+ i sell: OM Vivitar 28-70 3.5-4.8 / 28-90 s1 2.8-3.5 / 35-70 2.8-3.8 / 55/2.8 Macro 1:1 (komine) / 70-150 3.8 ot (kiron) / 75-150 ot 3.8 (tokina + 2x matched)
+ i sell : OM cosina 100-500 5.6/8 |
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invisible
![Level 2 Level 2](rating2.gif) Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Posts: 344
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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invisible wrote:
lumens pixel wrote: |
Nice! On what camera are you using the lens? |
Thank you! On a Nikon D700.
eggplant wrote: |
Some pretty nice images there, even at f2.8. Looks dependable. |
Thank you!
Speaking of f/2.8, it looks like I didn't shoot anything at 28mm wide open. I did a quick test a moment ago and the vignetting is horrific, like others mentioned above. What a disappointment. |
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Lloydy
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 7779 Location: Ironbridge. UK.
Expire: 2022-01-01
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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Lloydy wrote:
There are a LOT of lenses in roughly the same range as the Vivitar... but are we judging them on 'ultimate perfection' rather than being being very good allround lenses which I think the Vivitar is?
Personally I find this Vivitar to be one of the best short zooms I've got, and I'm a huge fan of the Minolta. MD.Zoom Macro 35-70mm f3.5 which for me sets the standard.
Lenses like these are what they are, and shouldn't be judged on ultimate performance which is judged on the performance of primes in a similar range. That's not fair on the lens in any respect, they weren't designed to compete with primes.
What they are is a great lens to use when you don't want the hassle of changing lenses, when you're wandering around a car show or out in bad weather. The Vivitar S1 28-90 is a winner, the range is better than most competitors, it's plenty sharp, the faults are easily corrected, and it's cheap. What's not to like? _________________ LENSES & CAMERAS FOR SALE.....
I have loads of stuff that I have to get rid of, if you see me commenting about something I have got and you want one, ask me.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mudplugga/
My ipernity -
http://www.ipernity.com/home/294337 |
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Ultrapix
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Posts: 565 Location: Italy
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Ultrapix wrote:
Lloydy wrote: |
What's not to like? |
I couldn't live with a manual focus / varifocal lens; when I take a zoom the quickness and comfort are my priority at 90 %.
Just my opinion of course |
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D1N0
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2530
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:24 am Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
Most vintage zooms don't have a 2.8 aperture at the wide end (because most are stopped down at the wide end to 3.5, probably to deal with excess softness and vignetting) Shooting wide open at 28mm where corners are critical is not a normal use case in photography, it is a far pissing contest for gearheads. _________________ pentaxian
Last edited by D1N0 on Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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caspert79
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3112 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:00 am Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
Image quality seems to be pretty good. I'm pretty sure it's better than the S1 35-85/2.8. |
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Alsatian2017
![Level 1 Level 1](rating1.gif) Joined: 05 Mar 2018 Posts: 238
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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Alsatian2017 wrote:
D1N0 wrote: |
Most vintage zooms don't have a 2.8 aperture at the wide end (because most are stopped down at the wide end to 3.5, probably to deal with excess softness and vignetting) Shooting wide open at 28mm where corners are critical is not a normal use case in photography, it is a far pissing contest for gearheads. |
True On my sample, the wide open setting at f = 28 mm produces sharper corners than with most of my fixed focal length 28 mm lenses. So sharpness wise, the Vivitar S1 28-90 mm f/2,8-3,5 is quite outstanding. Nethertheless, its weak points are the vignetting issue I mentionned earlier and the rather disappointing coating and baffling performance. |
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cooltouch
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
Back when I shot lots of film, I had reduced my walk-around kit to a camera and two lenses: an old Canon F-1 plus the Vivitar S1 28-90 and a Tamron SP 60-300. This kit took care of almost all my photographic needs. The Vivitar was a fantastic wide-to-short-tele zoom, still my favorite, although I have quite a few others in that range now. I've also owned a couple of the later S1 28-105s, which were made by Cosina and not Komine. They were decent lenses, but just not as good as the original.
I had the occasion to dismantle both. Even though they look the same on the outside, they were completely different structurally. I wouldn't say the Cosina wasn't as good as the Komine because the construction techniques were very similar. Ultimately it depends on the glass and the optical design, and that is where I think the Komine has it over the Cosina.
Here's one of my favorites taken with the Vivitar 28-90. Rocks on a beach, Ventura, California. Taken back during the mid-80s. Canon F-1, Kodachrome 64 film. Slide duped with my Sony NEX 7 and a Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor.
![](http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20228/1067_ventura_beach_rocks_2.jpg) _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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lumens pixel
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 Feb 2019 Posts: 854
Expire: 2021-06-25
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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lumens pixel wrote:
invisible wrote: |
lumens pixel wrote: |
Nice! On what camera are you using the lens? |
Thank you! On a Nikon D700.
eggplant wrote: |
Some pretty nice images there, even at f2.8. Looks dependable. |
Thank you!
Speaking of f/2.8, it looks like I didn't shoot anything at 28mm wide open. I did a quick test a moment ago and the vignetting is horrific, like others mentioned above. What a disappointment. |
I have red somewhere that this lens was not true 2,8 3,5 but close to 4 4,5. Not sure if it was only transmission or real aperture that was optimistic. For sure it was a highly regarded lens that did a lot for Vivitar and Komine reputation. I am still reluctant to buy a copy because of weight. I expect from a zoom to be lighter than the combination of the fixed focal lenses of the range (not talking about super large apertures primes). If this is not the case I prefer to carry the primes. _________________ Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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stevemark
![Level 4 Level 4](rating4.gif) Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 3908 Location: Switzerland
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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stevemark wrote:
lumens pixel wrote: |
Alsatian2017 wrote: |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
I never managed to obtain clear corners with the minolta 28-85 and Sony A7II except around 40-60mm. However central sharpness was always top notch. Part of the problem was field curvature, but not only.
...
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I recently bought a second copy of the venerable and rare Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM. A quick-and-dirty test on the A900 did not reveal any problems, the price was OK - so I got it. Not much later I was using it on the A7RII, relying on a cheap Chinese adapter. It was a mess. When (manually) focusing at f=200mm/2.8 and zooming to f=100mm or even f=70mm, the image became totally blurred. Obviously the adapter was slightly too short, and therefore the Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM has massive issues. Putting it bback to the A900 proved that the lens itself was OK.
Similar issues might have influenced your results with the MD 28-85mm.
S _________________ www.artaphot.ch |
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invisible
![Level 2 Level 2](rating2.gif) Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Posts: 344
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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invisible wrote:
lumens pixel wrote: |
I have red somewhere that this lens was not true 2,8 3,5 but close to 4 4,5. Not sure if it was only transmission or real aperture that was optimistic. For sure it was a highly regarded lens that did a lot for Vivitar and Komine reputation. I am still reluctant to buy a copy because of weight. I expect from a zoom to be lighter than the combination of the fixed focal lenses of the range (not talking about super large apertures primes). If this is not the case I prefer to carry the primes. |
That's a fair point. The lens is not all that heavy though (680 g) and is pretty compact for a fast vintage zoom. I bought it to use as a walkaround lens for non-critical work when I don't feel like carrying the Nikon 24-70 (900 g, and a much larger lens). I'll have to try it out in the field again, this time at 28mm to see if it's up to the task. Other than the vignetting, I'm stunned by its performance. |
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lumens pixel
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 Feb 2019 Posts: 854
Expire: 2021-06-25
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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lumens pixel wrote:
stevemark wrote: |
lumens pixel wrote: |
Alsatian2017 wrote: |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
I never managed to obtain clear corners with the minolta 28-85 and Sony A7II except around 40-60mm. However central sharpness was always top notch. Part of the problem was field curvature, but not only.
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I recently bought a second copy of the venerable and rare Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM. A quick-and-dirty test on the A900 did not reveal any problems, the price was OK - so I got it. Not much later I was using it on the A7RII, relying on a cheap Chinese adapter. It was a mess. When (manually) focusing at f=200mm/2.8 and zooming to f=100mm or even f=70mm, the image became totally blurred. Obviously the adapter was slightly too short, and therefore the Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM has massive issues. Putting it bback to the A900 proved that the lens itself was OK.
Similar issues might have influenced your results with the MD 28-85mm.
S |
That is for sure.
I was the owner of a Minolta MDIII 24mm that was bad in the corners. I red then about the impact of adapters on floating elements lenses and shimmed the adapter as good that I could. My unscientific reference was the average infinity stop of the many lenses I had and I stopped adding tape when most of my lenses hit the infinity stop correctly.
This improved somewhat the quality of the 24 but it was still not top notch and remained inferior to the Sigma Super Wide.
Same adapter was used on two copies of the zoom and the corners' problem was there.
So it is quite possible that the adapter is still off and I am interested by anyone who could claim good corners on this lens since I very much tried to like it and I was enthusiastic about central sharpness. _________________ Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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lumens pixel
![Level 3 Level 3](rating3.gif) Joined: 27 Feb 2019 Posts: 854
Expire: 2021-06-25
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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lumens pixel wrote:
Adding to last post and sorry about derailing the thread: any good experience on Alpha 900 of the A mount version of this lens would be probably conclusive since they seem to be optically the same lens. _________________ Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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Alsatian2017
![Level 1 Level 1](rating1.gif) Joined: 05 Mar 2018 Posts: 238
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Alsatian2017 wrote:
lumens pixel wrote: |
stevemark wrote: |
lumens pixel wrote: |
Alsatian2017 wrote: |
Among my lenses with similar range, the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3,3-4/28-85, Canon FD 28-85 mm f/4 and Minolta MD 28-85 mm f/3,5-4,5 are a least as good if not better (Zeiss) than the Vivitar and they don't suffer from excessive vignetting. But I would rate the Vivitar higher then the equivalent Tamron SP and Tokina AT-X lenses which places it at the top of the third party 28-85/28-90 mm lenses. As such it is a much underrated and undervalued lens. |
I never managed to obtain clear corners with the minolta 28-85 and Sony A7II except around 40-60mm. However central sharpness was always top notch. Part of the problem was field curvature, but not only.
...
|
I recently bought a second copy of the venerable and rare Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM. A quick-and-dirty test on the A900 did not reveal any problems, the price was OK - so I got it. Not much later I was using it on the A7RII, relying on a cheap Chinese adapter. It was a mess. When (manually) focusing at f=200mm/2.8 and zooming to f=100mm or even f=70mm, the image became totally blurred. Obviously the adapter was slightly too short, and therefore the Minolta AF 2.8/70-200mm APO G SSM has massive issues. Putting it bback to the A900 proved that the lens itself was OK.
Similar issues might have influenced your results with the MD 28-85mm.
S |
That is for sure.
I was the owner of a Minolta MDIII 24mm that was bad in the corners. I red then about the impact of adapters on floating elements lenses and shimmed the adapter as good that I could. My unscientific reference was the average infinity stop of the many lenses I had and I stopped adding tape when most of my lenses hit the infinity stop correctly.
This improved somewhat the quality of the 24 but it was still not top notch and remained inferior to the Sigma Super Wide.
Same adapter was used on two copies of the zoom and the corners' problem was there.
So it is quite possible that the adapter is still off and I am interested by anyone who could claim good corners on this lens since I very much tried to like it and I was enthusiastic about central sharpness. |
Hello,
as far as I could see with my own sample of the MD 28-85 mm, focusing the lens only moves the front group in a linear fashion so there are no floating elements involved - thus the adapter length registration shouldn't affect the image quality
Regarding the different MD 24 mm f/2,8 versions, there are a lot of users reporting about the lack of sharpness outside of the image center. I've got the same lens (MD III) and IQ is near perfect, even better than with my similar spec Nikkor AI-S and Canon nFD lenses so it has quickly become my favorite choice for 24 mm. With my adapter, registration is slightly off (but precise with my other MD lenses so I won't bother to correct it...) while the border and corner sharpness stays at high levels. So I guess, your problem was rather a less than perfect positionning of the floating elements relative to the others than an imperfect adapter length. |
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