Vivitar 2x macro focusing teleconverter

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Someone mentioned a Panagor Macro focussing converter.

I just found one I didn't know I had, came as part of a job lot of lenses.

It is labelled 'Panagor Auto Macro Converter' and inlike the Vivitar turning the focus moves the internal optical group back and forth.

It is in Konica bayonet mount so I can't use it on my EOS I think.

I have a Hexanon 3.5/135 and it fits the converter, but I suspect it needs to be used with a 50mm lens.

So I'm wondering, is it worth me getting a 50mm Hexanon to use with this converter and then modifying it to Canon EF to use on my EOS?

Or would it be better to sell it on to a Konica user?

dickb · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821

I wasn't too impressed with my Panagor Auto Macro Converter. It takes a lot of light and only with a 50mm did I have reasonable results. That was a long time ago though, search this forum for more positive comments.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Looking on ebay there are several listed in the 30-40ukp range, this one is almost mint so I think it would be better to pass it onto a Hexanon user than chop it up to modify it.

Anyone want an excellent condition Panagor Auto Macro Converter in Konica mount? Going cheap to the right home!

nixland · Expire: 2012-07-29

Thanks for the TC tips.

dickb · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821

nixland · Expire: 2012-07-29

I see. Thanks a lot for the complete explanation. Very useful guideline.

gaeger · Expire: 2021-03-09

After a few more sessions with the Vivitar macro, I'd say it's pretty darn good. It seems well matched with lenses 105mm and below. Not so impressed with those above that, but I'll need some more tests. The first image is with a 28mm Series E. The next two are with a 100mm Series E.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

Gaeger, I'd say your examples came out excellent. I find that I seldom use my Vivitar 2x macro for macro work -- more's the pity because it really does work well for this -- but typically I'm using mine with telephoto lenses to achieve even more reach. I've conducted extensive tests with my Vivitar 2x and my various telephotos and I've determined to my satisfaction that it does not deteriorate the images at all, and in some cases it clearly shows that the Vivitar 2x macro TC added to the resolution I was able to capture with my telephotos.

Ironfan · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 31 Location: Australia

After four pages of threads on the Vivitar I'm surprised that no one's mentioned the Teleplus which is also a 7 element macro focusing doubler looking virtually identical to the Vivitar branded version. It seems the Teleplus arrived in camera stores soon after the Vivitar disappeared from them. I'm fairly certain they came from the same manufacturer and I suspect that that was Tokina-Kenko.

I had both versions in Pentax K mount, so a shoot out ensued and I decided the Teleplus had the edge so off to eBay went the Vivitar.

I later picked up a 2x KAX macro Teleplus MC7 which is the KA version, while the manual aperture has 2x APK Macro TELEPLUS MC7 printed upon it.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

I have the Minolta mount Series 1 90mm and have converted the matched 1/1 adapter to Sony mount. It was very easy as the mount is quite thick. I took material off and then attached an M42 - Sony-A adapter. But I still can't use the lens for dstance because it still has the Minolta mount and I don't have a NEX yet.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

NikonD · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1922 Location: Slovenija

If someone is interested I'm selling my recently bought Vivitar macro focusing 2x teleconverter in NEW condition (nikon mount) Wink

PBFACTS · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 569

greg · Expire: 2012-12-03

In the past week I have purchased two of the Vivitar, one in Minolta MD and one in Canon FD. I received the Canon version yesterday. I have removed all the insides except the two helicoid guides and have male and female M42 adapters for it. Off to see an IndyCar Race this weekend. Tuesday I should be done with the work and giving it a test with my El Nikkor 135mm enlarger lens.

I paid $5US for each and S&H of $7.50US and $7.00US. A lot cheaper than the almost $100US + delivery for a new 14mm range helicoid from e*ay. The M42 adapters are simply cheap M42 macro tubes. The Vivitar has a range of ~20mm.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

I went and purchased a Hexanon AR 1.8/50 to use with my Panagor converter.

Instead of buying some Vivitar focussing TCs to use as helicoids I've stripped the optics from some broken lenses to remount my enlarger lenses.

walter g · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA

I have one of The Vivitar Macro Focusing Tele converters on the way. Looking foward to giving it a try.

ThKondak · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

Couple of days ago i was looking on ebay for some teleconverter for my Nikon D7000, and i hit on this item.The Vivitar 2x Macro teleconverter.I tried to get some info on the net, but i was unable to do so, and actually this is the best source of information i found around, so i decided to register and post on this thread.

So, i want to ask, if this item has more than one versions ( i think it is ) and what are the differences among them.

As far as i red this teleconv is also a fair choise for non macro work, and the samples posted above are fairly sharp i believe.

Also, if i use this teleconverter, on my D7000 (which is a DX Nikon camera) and the Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro (1:1) , is there a way to estimate the magnification gained?

I see NikonD was selling one, if it is still available please let me know about the price etc.

Thanks in advance,

Theo Kondak

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

Welcome to the club!

This TC was manufactured in many different mounts, including mount variations (e.g. Pentax K and Pentax K/A with contacts). It was also sold under the "Teleplus" brand: I have two of these in Olympus OM mount, one labeled Vivitar, another Teleplus MC7 (hence we know it's a 7-element TC); they are identical in everything except the markings. In Nikon, I've only seen a single version so far, labeled N/AI (which means Nikon Ai). One thing to be vary of: on some of these units the Ai lug gets sticky and won't work for aperture info transmission. You'd have to disassemble the unit, flush old grease and re-lube it. I did it to mine, works like a charm now.

ThKondak · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

Thanks for the welcome and for the quick reply.So according to your knowledge, for Nikon there is only one version of this kind of TC right?I know that the old times mostly an item could be in trade under various labels, and vivitar was one of the brands that used to do that.

So as far as i know the Nikon version is 7elements one (a guy was saying about it clearly on ebay). Does that mean that it delivers a higher image quality?

ThKondak · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

I just received the teleconverter, but i face a really mean problem :S the Teleconverter, has no contacts at all, so the camera body will not recognize the aperture of the lens, so it will shoot on minimum aperture which is way too dark usually.Is there a way to "hack" this issue?

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

ThKondak: This speaks to the very nature of using manual focus lenses adapted to our digital cameras. What camera are you using?

I use a Sony A200 and can only speak from knowledge of how that camera works best, but most other cameras are likely similar if not identical in operation. I can only use aperture mode auto-exposure with a chipped adapter, so I won't address that here. I shoot mainly in manual exposure mode, and in doing so the camera meters what it sees as you stop down the lens. I suggest setting the exposure for the picture first at the desired aperture, then open up again to focus, then stop back down and click. If by chance you are able to use aperture mode auto exposure, ensure that the camera aperture is set at the widest opening, i.e. f/1.4, and leave it there. Do not set the camera aperture to make it equal to the desired lens setting as that will create an over exposure.

ThKondak · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

My camera is Nikon D7000.The problem is that the camera, wont use the Aperture mechanism so it put diaphragm to lets say f11.I just did a small research, and found out, that N/AI means not AI which means that there are no electrical contacts at all on the TV which means that the camera has no info to see which is the current diaphragm value.

I can't really understand what you propose me to do, but i think that the chipped adapter is what i need in order to make it work somehow.Is that right?

eno789 · Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Posts: 159 Location: California

dickb · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821

Gurdie · Expire: 2013-02-20

An ad from Nov/1982 Camera Arts magazine (excuse me for a sloppy scan)