JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I'm sure I didn't need another macro lens. But this Vivitar 135mm f2.8 Close Focusing Lens (made by Komine) is certainly fun to use. But it is only 1:2, so perhaps it doesn't count as another macro lens. Totally manual focus, and the focus rotates 540 degrees in going from infinity to 1:2. Incredibly easy to get a good focus.

Attached is a handheld shot at 1:2 of a Hibiscus flower bud that is not yet opened. These buds are quite fuzzy which can be seen if you hit the download button, and then click again.

There were several spider web threads running from the tip of the bud down to the leaves for which I used the Photoshop Remove Tool to make them go away.

(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Somewhere I think I remember seeing that this is only a 4 element lens ! For some reason, it was never very popular - I have never had one - which somewhat speaks to their rarity ....

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

There are lots of reviews on this lens. And lots of individuals stating that it is one lens that they won't be selling. And you are correct. 4 elements ( in 4 groups). Was built from 1975 to 1981. Supposedly, it can be suscepable to purple fringing.

I find this to be a very easy and fun lens to use. At 1:2, the focus distance is probably 20 inches.

I have 5 Vivitar lenses made by Komine, and I like 4 of them. The 4 I like are the 55mm f2.8 1:1 macro, and the same thing in 90mm and a non-macro 135mm f2.8, as well as this 135mm close focusing lens.

The one I do not like is the 28-90mm Series 1 also made by Komine. I find older zooms tend to be inferior to modern zooms, and I don't find this one to be very sharp, plus the edges just don't look good at all. I hear good things about other Series 1 lenses. But not this one.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Gorgeous shot 💚✨🌿✨💚

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

How does one determine what entity manufactured a Vivitar lens? And which of those manufacturers produced the best lenses for the Vivitar brand?

Stan

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

You look at the serial number. For this particular lens, the lenses made by Komine started with the digits "28". You can usually find this information with a Google search.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

👍🤩👍

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I agree, nice lens