Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f3.5 Kiron - no VMC - misadventure

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes the game is rained out.

This one I lost. Won't say I got my butt kicked . . . but I did perceive a definite nudge back there:

Bought a copy of the subject lens while breaking several rules at the same time:

*bought sight unseen (except for photo) with no written description or opportunity to examine
*did inadequate research
*had too much enthusiasm

So guess I got what I richly deserved.

This is a really early Series 1 . . too early for my own good. Despite a decent superficial appearance, it turned out to be dirty inside and out. The "out" part I can handle. But every element appears to have some kind of coating, maybe fungus, perhaps just some sort of serious "haze".

The lens is not a catastrophe aside from being dirty. The filter ring has a very minor ding which is easily repairable. The lens does not appear to have been dropped. It remains mechanically possible to put the unit into macro mode and take it out. There are no scratches on either front or rear elements . . a good thing.

But without total disassembly, cleaning, and rehabilitation this lens cannot be used to take photos. And I don't have the skill or knowledge to tear this puppy down. Also, next time, if there ever is a next time, I will for certain buy the VMC (coated) version. My lens, with S/N beginning "22403..." appears to have been manufactured very nearly forty years ago, in 1973.

The lens came inside an old leather case. Am betting that did not mitigate favorably. I'm not upset because not a great deal of dough was on the line. Live and learn.

Having now looked into this a bit, I've been surprised by how inexpensive this Series 1 lens is. Even the newer Tokina version is affordable . . . and newer is better, offering less opportunity for wear and tear. So I've learned my lesson . . . I hope. Wink

ETA

Darn it. I forgot to ask my question:

The lens came with a Konica AR mount, which seems less common in this model lens. Does anyone think that is an especially good thing . . or bad thing?

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

I had the V2 Tokina version, not as good as the V1 imho, judging by samples I've seen from other people.

On ebay UK, the Series 1 70-210 is very common and cheap, in the less popular mounts it can be had for 10-20ukp.

I bought a Canon FD 4/80-200 for 99p the other day.

What camera do you need to mount it on? There are some excellent but cheap 80-200 lenses, Konica UC 80-200 is fantastic if you can mount it on your camera.

elliott · Joined: 16 May 2011 Posts: 170

I lucked into my Komine made Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm, I got it in a lot of stuff because I wanted the Pentax M 35mm and 28mm, didn't realize until I got it home how great the Vivitar is. They are definitely worth going for if you find a good one.

I have learned to be really cautious about lenses in those old leather cases, I bought a dirt cheap Rexatar 135mm and Super Lentar 21mm together, both were in those cases and they smelled like a musty attic. The Super Lentar was clean, but the Rexatar was full of fungus and haze.

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

SXR_Mark · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 506 Location: England

Well, you are certainly not the first to go for a pig in the poke and end up with singed digits. When I'm in the mood, I look for something unusual but with such a poor description that it is likely to go cheap. It's just like gambling, and sometimes it does work out well. And if it doesn't, then no harm done.

elliott · Joined: 16 May 2011 Posts: 170

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I bought one with the '22' Kiron serial number in M42 mount a while back to use on my Pentax K10, I think I paid about £25 for it in very good condition. I liked it so much that when I saw a Canon FD mount one for £10 I bought even though it has slight fungus, I have an adapter to use M42 on the Canon's, but I still bought it. I like these lenses that much. This one is a '28' serial number Komine.
On the Canon with film I defy anyone to notice any degradation in the image and say "that lens has fungus". I think that it would take serious pixel peeping at huge magnification to become apparent, not a problem, "apparent".
These are very good lenses, just use it and see if you think the images are poor. My guess is that unless the fungus is really bad it will have a negligible effect on the image.

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

Eros · Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 1

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, this is a great page for some help with servicing the old vivitar series 1 lenses depennding on the version,

I have two of the version 1, one in good shape, bit of dust and oil but otherwise is in great condition optically, externally has the odd knock though. I have another that is in superb condition externally, and surprisingly great condition internally almost no dust and no evaporated oil on the optics.... BUUUUUUT has a couple of spots of fungus (boooo)

Since i have two of these, one of them will be getting a service following the service manual i found online... will let you know how i get on...

(also i had an issue trying to link it, guessed it would be spam protection as a new forum user?)

WolverineX · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:54 am Post subject:

yes, in first post of the new member links and photos don't show up, anti-spam measure. from now on all should work as it should

welcome to the forum

any thread about lens repair is better to be started in "Equipment care and repair" part of the forum. then you can make a link in this thread to that thread

hifisapi · Joined: 25 Sep 2012 Posts: 941 Location: USA

I hates fungus!