Nikon mount Vivitar 28mm f1.9 for $20.00 worth it?

Thomas Smet

Thomas Smet

Veteran
I was just starting to get out of using older lenses since M4/3 lenses can be so much easier to use. I however have an option to buy a Nikon mount Vivitar 28mm f1.9 lens that seems to be in decent shape. I do love the look of older glass and for the money I'm thinking it is really worth the price.

On a GH2 and GH1 will a 28mm be all that useful or will I still find myself grabbing my 20mm f1.7 and watch this lens also eventually sit on a shelf and collect dust?
 
At that price, you have to ask?

Buy it, say: "thank you, I've heard so much about this lens!!!!" Then test it yourself. It is worth $50-100 and you can easily resell if it does not live up to the rep it has.

I'll buy it off you for cost and postage, OK?
 
If your on so tight a budget that you need to justify spending 20.00 bucks, You might want to pick a different hobby. Even if you were to buy it for a paper weight, it would still be worth 20.00 bucks. I think for most its a no brainer.
 
Not a tight budget at all. Just wasn't sure if I wanted any more older lenses since I have mostly been using M4/3 glass recently. I did buy it. In fact I actually did a trade for it. Just waiting for my Nikon adapter to arive to test it out. I currently only have a FD adapter. Held it up with my FD adapter however and it looked sexy so far. As soon as I get my adapter I will post some results. Maybe this lens will make me rethink older lenses. I love the way my 50mm f1.8 looks but it was never super practical except for interviews. Since buying a lot of native glass I sort of gave up on older lenses since on the wide fast end they can almost cost as much as native lenses. I may just change my mind. The focus ring is a bit stiff on one end but still smoother then Lumix lenses.
 
Initial report on the lens:

Wow Nikon adapters are so much easier to use then FD adapters. Both are Fotodiox. Kept wondering if I did it wrong since it just sort of slipped on.

This is a very dreamy looking lens. Focus is a bear right now but opened up to f1.9 has a very diffused soft focus dreamy feel. A lot more so then my 50mm FD f1.8. Outdoors stopped down it is very sharp for video at least. The stuff I shot was very bad because of the focus. Need to go out with my loupe later for some samples.

The focus ring does resist a lot more then it should but still more natural then native lenses.

I can see this as a great "effect" lens without having to use any other filters for indoor shoots.

Will post some samples as soon as I get a chance.
 
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