Viv series 1 versus MC Tele Rokkor

[nikkortorokkor]

Anybody had any experience with the Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3?

One in MC/MD mount is up for auction down here and it sounds very tasty: floating internal elements give a close focus of 90cm; portrait-friendly softness at 2.3 but sharp from 2.8.

On the other hand, a there is also a 135/2.8 MC Tele-Rokkor going too. I can't afford both.

I know that the Tele-Rokkor is a solid performer, but the Viv sounds rather exciting. Either would be more versatile than my current 135: a Tele-Rokkor 135/4 pre-set from the dark ages. It works fine on the SRT but will be a bit of an anachronism on the XE-1 I have coming ;D ;D ;D ;D ad infinitum

[kiev4a]

Most of the Series 1 lenses perform well. I have the 35-85mm f2.8 zoom in Nikon mount that is outstanding--built by Kiron. The only reason I don't use it more is its weight.

[olroy2044]

Mike--I'm sure you are already familiar with the info available about the Series 1 lenses, but in case ypu're not, here is a very informative link. www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm I have Series 1 lenses by Kiron, Tokina, and Komine, and am very impressed by them all. I have posted numerous pix on other threads taken with these lenses. The fire bomber series posted in "learn to use what you've got" was taken with a Komine-built 200mm w/ 2x Viv converter. Here's one taken with a Tokina built Series 1 70-210 at 210mm

SRT202 Superia 400

These cliffs were about 3/4 mile away.
It appears that the secret is out regarding these lenses as the prices have been climbing recently. I keep them on my watch list on "da 'bay" all the time. Regards, Roy

[nikkortorokkor]

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. Confident endorsements, indeed.

Roy, I've been learning about the Series One reputation, but have not experienced one 1st hand yet. The link is much appreciated, & I'll be keeping an eagle eye out for the 70-210 too.

As it turns out, I've bid up to my budget on the Viv and it still hasn't hit reserve, so it's Hobson's choice for me. One other punter has bid on the Tele-Rokkor so it's the old nervous twitch time again!

I'll keep you posted how I fare.

[kiev4a]

Here's a shot taken tonight with the 35-85mm f2.8 Series 1 zoom on a D300 Nikon. Not much depth of field on this one.

[kiev4a]

Just about any lens you can find made by Kiron is on par with the Series 1 lenses. Kiron made a 105mm f2.8 macro lens that is considered about as good as it gets at that focal length and fetches more than the manufacturer's leneses at that focal length.

[olroy2044]

Wayne is absolutely correct about the Kiron lenses. I have two non-Series 1 Viv zooms that were built by Kiron, and have had excellent results from both. One is a 75-150 K-mount, and the other is an 85-205 M42. Both are heavy and well-built.

Wayne-Nice shot of the kitty. Very impressed by your D-300 results! Roy

[nikkortorokkor]

Thanks for the useful info and pics. I'll be looking for Kiron made lenses too, but probably not for a while now.

I just won the Tele-Rokkor and an MC W.Rokkor 35/2.8 wide-angle (NZ$ 66 and 75 respectively) both from the same vendor who'll ship 'em for free. Add these to the XE-1 with 50/1.4 and MD W.Rokkor 28/3.5 that should be winging there way to me right now and I'm starting to get a usable little kit. No more dodgy Chinese zooms for me! Now I gotta sell sell sell other assorted bits and pieces before my wife sees the bank statement.

BTW, the Viv Series 1 went for NZ$ 100, which is still pretty durned good for the quality of glass. Reviews seem to suggest that the Series 1 would out-perform the MC Tele Rokkor in its old PF version, but I don't think I'll be disappointed with my $66 Tele-Rokkor.

[nikonbob]

I have not heard a bad word about any of the original Series 1 Vivitar lenses. A friend had a 70-210/3.5 that was just great. The only Kiron I've had was a 24/2 that was just blazing sharp and well built. Boy, do I regret giving that one to my cousin.

Micheal

Looks like you have gathered a nice kit covering all the really useful focal lengths for 90% of what most people will shoot.

Bob

[kiev4a]

I also have the Kiron 80-200mm f4 zoom with the zoom lock. Haven't tried it on the new camera yet but it was great on the F3HP. I also like the fact it's a constant f4.

I read somewhere that the reason Kiron dropped out of the lens race was they made 'em so well they had to charge almost as much as the manufacturers charged for their lenses. And even if they are good lenses most buyers will go for the brand name--all other things being equal.

[nikkortorokkor]

Wayne, this is all fascinating stuff. If I look back at my camera and lens buying history, I see myself following a convoluted path towards enlightenment. It is too easy to go with the flow/fashion and believe that all third party lenses - especially zooms - are inferior to their elite, body-making brethren. I've probably missed decent lenses because I've only had my eyes peeled for 'genuine glass'. I would like a 200 tele or constant zoom to 'finish' my kit (are they ever really finished?) and was thinking a Tele Rokkor 200/4. You've now convinced me to cast my net a little wider.

My heart goes out to the people running Kiron. It's a sad truism that excellence does not necessarily equal commercial success.

[kiev4a]

Here's and example of what the Kiron 80-200 macro zoom can do--the first is the full frame on a DSLR equiv. (300mm) and second photo is a blowup of a section of the photo. I shot this handheld at 1/500 sec, ISO 200. Not too bad for a lens that's about 30 years old being used on technology that wasn't invented at the time it was introduced. I think this lens is very similiar to the Series 1 Ver. 1 Vivitar.

[Peter S.]

Michael,

sorry, I noticed the thread too late. And besides I only have second hand information on the fast
Vivitar 135mm lens. But what I heared about it was not too encouraging. But for only something
in the order of 50 € this is an excellent price (my fast 2/135 Minolta did cost me about ten times
that money :-( ). And I am sure, it would sell for considerably more money here in Germany.

But that is not the point. If You got a late MC Tele Rokkor (the one with the diamond mark
indicating both aperture and focus distance - the older PF had separate triangle and dot for this)
then You won one of the finest 135mm lenses available. It is fully usable wide open - You won't
regret not owning the Vivitar.

The older (Tele Rokkor-PF) is a bit less sharp, but has a better bokeh. Nevertheless the later
version got the best reputation of all Minolta 2.8/135 lenses.


Wayne,

You showed us a vivid example explaining the fame that lens has got amongst many photographers.
The cam will sharpen it a bit, but nonetheless it is very good. The only issue with Vivitar is
that they sold crap even under the S1 label only a few years after their heyday. Thus I think
Michael is fully right to ask here prior before investing. On the other hand I would recommend
any Kiron made Vivitar without any hesitation.

Michael,

have You checked the manufacturerer (buy asking for the series number)??

Best regards
Peter

[kiev4a]

Peter:

You are correct. In latter days Vivitar put out a lot of crap under the Series 1 name. That name only meant something during the first few years.

[nikkortorokkor]

Peter, Serial numbers? Oh. I've just done a web search and got the lowdown on Vivitar serial numbers. Thanks for the heads up.

The Tele-Rokkor I have coming is a PF, so I get the nice Bokkeh not the ultimate sharpness of the 4/4 design.

Wayne, stunning results. Is your Kiron lens an AI mounted straight onto the digital body?

I now have a Vivitar zoom on the way, an 85 - 205. I have yet to see the serial number, but I've snuck around looking at photos of identical lenses (with the leatherette rather than diamond finish) and they all seem to havve the 22 serial number, which means it will hopefull be a Kiron lens.

In a week of purchasing fever, I've managed to get an XE-1 body; Rokkor 28/3.5, 35/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8; Vivitar 85-205/3.8 and something called a Capro FL7 flash, complete with charger. This has set me back NZ$277 (just about US$220). Looking at the total (under a quarter of the cost of a Nikon D40X with 18 -55 lens of unspecified speed, advertised in our local paper as a 'Perfect camera for students') I feel reasonably happy. Still, I now need to sell every other camera in sight in order to maintain domestic bliss.

The 85 - 205 will be high on my list of lenses to test when all this kit arrives. If my reseults match Wayne's, I'll be more than happy.