Vivitar Series 1
- Thread starter greeches
- Start date
greeches
Veteran
I've been getting them in Nikon mounts so mine focus like Nikons.
This one is still pretty cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-K-VIVITAR-28-90MM-2-8-3-5-ZOOM-CAMERA-LENS_W0QQitemZ280550380811QQcategoryZ3323QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D300455737583%26po%3DLLIW%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6170834394021794664
This one is still pretty cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-K-VIVITAR-28-90MM-2-8-3-5-ZOOM-CAMERA-LENS_W0QQitemZ280550380811QQcategoryZ3323QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D300455737583%26po%3DLLIW%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6170834394021794664
Jordan Scott Price
Veteran
I lifted a Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm 1:2.8-3.5 and an Albinar 80-200mm 1:3.5 today off a guy on Craigslist. They're FD mount, but it only cost me $60, plus it came with a camera bag, a Canon T-50, an external flash that works with my 7D, Canon 50mm 1:1.8 (I have the same in a Nikon, so no gain), and all the manuals and instructions from when he bought the camera and the lenses...
So needless to say, they were in immaculate shape. I bought an FD-EOS adapter from B&H. Altogether, I'll be out about $100 if the adapter just sucks and I can't use these lenses, but I figure it's worth the risk since some DVXusers have had success.
So needless to say, they were in immaculate shape. I bought an FD-EOS adapter from B&H. Altogether, I'll be out about $100 if the adapter just sucks and I can't use these lenses, but I figure it's worth the risk since some DVXusers have had success.
rogar-Smoke(DBG): we demand footage
greeches
Veteran
You got it! Quick and dirty 28-90 f2.8-3.5 on the cord and then 28-105 f3.2-4.5 on the rubber feet strip.
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Jordan Scott Price
Veteran
No, I know that.
I only bought them because I want to try out the adapter, and these lenses were stupid cheap. I have a 50mm, 28mm, and a 35mm in Nikon with the Kawa adapter off eBay for use on my 7D.
And I would not have taken even that small a risk if I hadn't seen footage from these forums that attested to the potential with an FD-EOS adapted lens.
I know nothing about old Vivitars, but that 70-210 looks almost identical to the legendary Nikon E-Series 75-150. I do seem to remember something about that Nikon E-Series 75-150 being manufactured by some third party maker -- so it's possible they are similar.
If you don't know -- the Nikon E-Series were lenses produced in the late seventies and early eighties designed to be quality lenses at affordable prices. They were all a complete disaster -- with one, very powerful exception -- the Nikon 75-150 E-Series. For some reason that no one has been able to perfectly explain, that lens is as sharp as the best of lenses, complete with a bokeh that shouldn't technically be possible with a F/3.5 lens.
So, if your Vivitar zoom is a variant of that Nikon -- you not only picked a winner -- you picked a legend. You can find those Nikon E-Series 75 - 150 lenses used, but it's very difficult to find them in mint condition without their notorious (very bad) lens creep -- that's more of a rapid slide than creep.
As a side note, if you're shopping used lenses -- the best advice in the world is to spend the extra twenty or so percent and buy them from reputable stores (like B&H) that professionally evaluate and warranty each used lens they sell. This is a different world from gambling on Ebay lenses being sold by someone clearing out recently deceased granddad's garage, that can often have problems that you don't even know exist.
If you don't know -- the Nikon E-Series were lenses produced in the late seventies and early eighties designed to be quality lenses at affordable prices. They were all a complete disaster -- with one, very powerful exception -- the Nikon 75-150 E-Series. For some reason that no one has been able to perfectly explain, that lens is as sharp as the best of lenses, complete with a bokeh that shouldn't technically be possible with a F/3.5 lens.
So, if your Vivitar zoom is a variant of that Nikon -- you not only picked a winner -- you picked a legend. You can find those Nikon E-Series 75 - 150 lenses used, but it's very difficult to find them in mint condition without their notorious (very bad) lens creep -- that's more of a rapid slide than creep.
As a side note, if you're shopping used lenses -- the best advice in the world is to spend the extra twenty or so percent and buy them from reputable stores (like B&H) that professionally evaluate and warranty each used lens they sell. This is a different world from gambling on Ebay lenses being sold by someone clearing out recently deceased granddad's garage, that can often have problems that you don't even know exist.
Chris Watson
Well-known member
So how you liking the macro? Pretty insane huh?
leteeci
Well-known member
I have 70-210 f/3.5 Series 1, MD mount..
I use my Minolta MD lenses on DOF adapter, but I find 70-210 f/3.5 to heavy, and inpractical.. I don't use it much..
I would advance against buying lens with MD mount, because it is impossible to adopt them on EOS..go for Pentax PK or M42 versions..
from old lenses I like Tokina AT-X 60 - 120 mm f2.8..sharp as hell .. but no macro
and also; winner lens.. Vivitar Series 1, 35 - 85 mm, f2.8 push-pull.. for fast actions, good close focusing..
cheers..
I use my Minolta MD lenses on DOF adapter, but I find 70-210 f/3.5 to heavy, and inpractical.. I don't use it much..
I would advance against buying lens with MD mount, because it is impossible to adopt them on EOS..go for Pentax PK or M42 versions..
from old lenses I like Tokina AT-X 60 - 120 mm f2.8..sharp as hell .. but no macro
and also; winner lens.. Vivitar Series 1, 35 - 85 mm, f2.8 push-pull.. for fast actions, good close focusing..
cheers..
Jordan Scott Price
Veteran
Just figured I'd provide input, since I got my FD-EOS adapter today.
I bought a Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm 1:2.8-3.5 and an Albinar 80-200mm 1:3.5 earlier in the week for less than $70, among other things. I tried out the adapter on them today.
Beautiful image.
Wide open, both lenses handled low light/ambient light really well; outdoors they both did great. There were no ghosts, haze, or color aberration with the lenses at max apertures.
Just taking video in my kitchen (7D), both lenses were really clear. I won't know about sharpness, detail of bokeh, or aliasing until I download the footage to my laptop, but I would say, from my little experience today, this adapter is kickass.
Another plus to this adapter is its build. It appears to be mostly metal with the obvious exception of the central glass. Also, it fits snugly on to the lenses and the camera body.
What I really liked was that the adapter can also stay on the camera, should you decide to change FD lenses: Instead of pressing the lens release button on the body, twist the FD lens lock ring until the lens comes off. The adapter stays on the body until you want to remove it, which, for me, then comes off with the last FD lens I use. This is more than handy for me, as it means I don't need to buy $50 adapters for each FD lens like most do with Kawa adapters for their Nikon's/Nikkor's.
I have not tried to remove the interior glass element. I'm happy with the adapter's current functionality, but I'm sure I'll have more to report after I shoot something worthwhile with the lenses.
I have not tried the adapter on my Canon FD 50mm 1.8 yet (I've had no desire, since I have a Nikon 50mm 1.8). I will try it later, though, just for my own curiosity as it seems haze/ghosting issues emerge when the aperture is opened wider than 2/2.8.
For the sake of clarity, this is the $50 Bower FD-EOS adapter, which I bought from B&H.
I bought a Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm 1:2.8-3.5 and an Albinar 80-200mm 1:3.5 earlier in the week for less than $70, among other things. I tried out the adapter on them today.
Beautiful image.
Wide open, both lenses handled low light/ambient light really well; outdoors they both did great. There were no ghosts, haze, or color aberration with the lenses at max apertures.
Just taking video in my kitchen (7D), both lenses were really clear. I won't know about sharpness, detail of bokeh, or aliasing until I download the footage to my laptop, but I would say, from my little experience today, this adapter is kickass.
Another plus to this adapter is its build. It appears to be mostly metal with the obvious exception of the central glass. Also, it fits snugly on to the lenses and the camera body.
What I really liked was that the adapter can also stay on the camera, should you decide to change FD lenses: Instead of pressing the lens release button on the body, twist the FD lens lock ring until the lens comes off. The adapter stays on the body until you want to remove it, which, for me, then comes off with the last FD lens I use. This is more than handy for me, as it means I don't need to buy $50 adapters for each FD lens like most do with Kawa adapters for their Nikon's/Nikkor's.
I have not tried to remove the interior glass element. I'm happy with the adapter's current functionality, but I'm sure I'll have more to report after I shoot something worthwhile with the lenses.
I have not tried the adapter on my Canon FD 50mm 1.8 yet (I've had no desire, since I have a Nikon 50mm 1.8). I will try it later, though, just for my own curiosity as it seems haze/ghosting issues emerge when the aperture is opened wider than 2/2.8.
For the sake of clarity, this is the $50 Bower FD-EOS adapter, which I bought from B&H.
greeches
Veteran
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28-90 f2.8-3.2
28-105 f3.2-4.5
70-210 f3.5 Macro
Canon T2i
200 ISO
Longest to shortest in each lens shot.
Okay I just snagged this from ebay last night...it's a canon mount so I figured it would fit right on my T2i but after reading this thread apparently not. So I'll need an FD-EOS mount now correct? Would i be better off with a nikon mount?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150483970716&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:CA:1123
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150483970716&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:CA:1123