Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

I'm amazed at the Vivitar, Quantaray and Promaster lenses for Pentax K mount cameras that are for sale on eBay at ridiculously cheap prices! Some of them are wonderful, well-made, sharp focusing, high contrast lenses. What a lot of folks don't know is that these lenses were made by some very reputable, high-end lens makers such as Ricoh, Kiron, Komine and other well-respected Japanese lens makers.

I have a 70-300mm Promaster lens that has a 1:2 macro feature that is amazingly sharp, even wide open. It was made by Tamron.... and I paid $40.00 for it! Also, I have several Vivitar lenses that I've paid little or nothing for that are superb pieces of glass. You have to pay attention to the serial numbers of Vivitar lenses and buy only the ones made by the more reputable companies. Vivitar DID NOT make their own lenses, but sub-contracted them out to various companies like Kiron, Komine, Tokina and Kobori. One of my best lenses is an 80-200mm Vivitar made by Kobori. It's all manual, but a "hidden gem," and is a real cult classic in the Pentax world.

The mailman brought me an absolutely pristine, flawless 70-210mm Vivitar (Kobori-made) lens today. I paid the princely sum of $5.95 for it! The shipping was more than the lens! :oops: :thumbup:

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I'm usually amused, too. ;)

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I have the Vivitar Series 1 70-200 Kiron and a wonderfully sharp 135 f/2.8 Chrome Nose....

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Sonny, you weren't even referring to the post were you? ;-)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Over the last few years I've picked up a number of manual lenses for unbelievably low prices on eBay as well. Patience is key. Knowing exactly what you're getting is also important. With Vivitar and Quantaray branded lenses, you have to do a little research on the specific version - some are excellent, while others are just okay. I think most fall somewhere in between.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

do they still make Pentax cameras

tlittlefieid Loc: Manchester, NH

They make plenty...
http://www.pentaxwebstore.com/home.do?promoCode=PTXFGS99WEBPAYPC

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's the final image that counts, not the name on the lens or the price you paid. Have you taken any shots with that 70-210mm yet? If the alternative is a $2,000 name-brand lens, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I own two Vivitar MF lenses, one is the 70-210 mm f3.5 Series-1 version-1,zoom and the 100mm f2.8 MF macro. Both were made by Kiron, great lenses and using them on my Nikon Df and D200. I use the 70-210mm mostly on close up flower shot, because it's 1:2X reproduction ratio.
I don't know the quality of the other brand you mention!

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Most of the Quantaray and Promaster lenses were made either by Tamron or Sigma.... identical in almost every respect other than the name on the barrel. Identical optics and performance at 1/10th the price! I too have the Vivitar like yours and love it for flowers. Sharp as the proverbial tack.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Post some images with the download so we can see what you mean by superb glass. I think many would be interested in picking up one of these oldies. :thumbup:

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

:thumbdown:

Plenty, and they sell well in Japan. Not much advertising in the USA however. So mostly what we see are the endless Canikon threads in all the photo forums.
If you want to see a nice APS-C camera, check out the Pentax K-3. Ricoh is doing a good job of slowly bringing the Pentax brand back from obscurity. The 645Z is a top notch MF camera that has received almost universal praise.

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Here's a photo taken with a Pentax K-50 using a Vivitar 80-200mm manual lens. If I remember correctly, I paid $12.00 for it. The photo of the leaf was taken with a Vivitar 75-205mm lens I paid $8.00 for. To my old, tired eyes, this is some pretty nice old glass!

(Download)


(Download)

RichardQ Loc: Colorado

Gorgeous work, Dewman. No question, those lenses helped you to produce top-grade images.

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

nope - not even one...