vivitar 105/2.8 opinions?

rbelyell · Expire: 2014-01-31

i came across a viv 105/2.8 serial # starting w 37xxxx ('Auto Vivitar') and was wondering if its the same as the kiron 105/2.8 or just a piece of junk.

i had come across this older thread:
http://forum.mflenses.com/kiron-2-8-105-macro-life-size11-ratio-t9578,highlight,vivitar+105mm.html
that mentioned viv=kiron at serial # starting 22xxxxx, so was wondering if anyone knows anything about the one i'm interested in.

thanks!!!!

Screamin Scott · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject:

That's a Tokina made Vivitar & is not in the same league as the the Kiron (which is a macro lens)....Likely not a bad performer, although I have no experience with this particular lens, I do have a Tokina made Vivitar 100mm F2.8 which gives nice results...

rbelyell · Expire: 2014-01-31

thanks scott--perhaps i should hold out for a super tak, it wont be that much more expensive, you think?

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Thats a Tokina-made lens, as Scott says.

I'm guessing its in a T4 mount as these tend to be, and dates to the early-mid 1970's.

This is mine -

http://forum.mflenses.com/vivitar-tokina-t4-105-2-8-t9180,highlight,105.html

It should go cheap, pay no more than $30. It should go for much, much less than the Super Tak, which usually go for over $100 these days.

That said, its a very sharp lens wide open.

rbelyell · Expire: 2014-01-31

thanks luis, i was looking for a bargain in this lens; its about $45usd and i wanted to compare it to the kiron and tak in terms of IQ. certainly, your shots are very sharp and the lens seems to have a character in your photos, yes?

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Scott is correct. It's not even in the same league as the Kiron 105 macro wonderlens.

Kiron Kid

ramiller500 · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:16 pm Post subject:

Maybe the Tokina Kid would differ?

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

If it is the T4 mount version, I recommend it (I have the Soligor version). Roughly on par with the SMC Takumar, with my samples. Of course it won't have the close focus or macro ability of those other lenses...