gessman Loc: Colorado

Yesterday and the day before while I appeared to be MIA, I was busy doing some lens testing. A couple of years ago, I bought several lens of a certain kind when everyone was nearly offering you to take their film cameras off their hands, I took a few, especially lens.

Yesterday, needing a break from this, I tested some of those lens and I want to share the results with you and suggest a way that my effort can benefit some of you, especially those wanting to add some inexpensive lens to their bag, perhaps to add some versatility to their kit.

These lens I'm about to talk are not new to those who have been around for awhile so those of you who know the lens, I would invite you to chime in and give a testimony to those less experienced who might be interested in using one of them. These lens have a macro capability good for 1/4th life size or as it is expressed 1:4. To make them 1:1 or life size, you would have to add a extension tube, preferable, or perhaps a macro filter, less preferable. They are all manual focus which is what you normally want for macro shots anyway which makes 'em perfect for that. They are a slide zoom which mostly maintains focus as you zoom, with minor adjustments here and there because often you will turn the zoom slightly as you move it forward.

The set of 3 pics at the bottom are for you to see the capability of the lens. I tested two of the lens against my Canon EOS 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens which cost in the region of $1600.00. This was not a rigorously scientific test throughout the entire focal range or f-stop range. I shot all three lens at f8 and these are not macro shots - simply a shot of a hex wrench set on our breakfast table. The first two were shot with lens I paid $10 and $15 for. You will be able to see if it is something that you could get interest in.

Below is a little more information about the lens and some examples on ebay that you can look at to see how interested you are in getting one. I will say further that I had one of these lens new for my Nikon non-auto cameras back in the '70s and '80s before I switched over to Canon at which time I also got one for my Canon gear. These lens tested to be the best rated of all after-market manufacturers lens and near or as good as Canon and Nikon but at a fraction of the price.

In the early 1970s, Vivitar decided it was not going to take a back seat to the big camera manufacturers when it came to quality lens so they ramped up and produced a line they called "Series 1." They used very good components and produced some very fine lens. A couple of years ago people would pay you to take them off their hands. Now, there are some folks who are still willing to part with them for a very low price and some folks are trying to push the prices up for obvious reasons. Mostly, due to a lack of knowledge and understanding about those lens and what's going on generally, people aren't buying those lens that the owners are wanting a good price for. For anyone who wants to get a good lens for their Nikon or Canon camera, to use for such things as closeups or any other thing that they might use manual focusing for or just for general purpose use, these are inexpensive, good glass lens.

Below are a few examples I picked out for you to look at and consider.

Minolta mount Vivitar Ser 1 70-210 f2.8 - f4 $35 buy it now w/$10 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MD-Vivitar-Series-1-70-210mm-F2-8-4-/150673208319?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2314d2b3ff#ht_707wt_1163

? Mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 $19.99 min bid 5 days to go - Have to call seller to see what camera it fits (can't tell from pics)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-Series-1-Lens-w-Case-70-210mm-1-35-Macro-Focusing-Auto-Zoom-/230684095951?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item35b5d7f5cf#ht_1478wt_1396

Canon FD Mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 $39.99 min bid 3 days to go - no bids so far - $7 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-SERIES-1-CANON-FD-MOUNT-70-210MM-F3-5-ZOOM-/200660549796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb84d00a4#ht_500wt_1413

Canon FD Mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 $19.99 min bid 6 days to go - no bids so far - $12.95 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-Series-1-70-210mm-1-3-5-VMC-Breech-lock-mount-2-Caps-Tiffen-UV-/160661946861?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item256832c1ed#ht_1765wt_1396

Canon FD Mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 $39.99 min bid 3 days to go - no bids so far - $7.00 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-Series-1-70-210mm-1-3-5-VMC-Breech-lock-mount-2-Caps-Tiffen-UV-/160661946861?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item256832c1ed#ht_1765wt_1396

Nikon Mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 $9.99 min bid 3 days to go - no bids so far - $15.15 for expedited shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-Series-1-70-210mm-f3-5-Lens-Nikon-Mount-/290616814719?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43aa1cac7f#ht_768wt_1396

There are several more Canon mount, a few Nikon mount, Minolta, Konica, screw mount M42 for Pentax, etc., some in about this same price range and going on up to "why, they're out of their freakin' minds" amounts.

In addition to the above, there are two Minolta film cameras being offered with these 70-200mm lens with them. The first one also has a 50mm f1.4 lens on it and a flash. This is a chance for a person with a digital camera, Sony, or Canon and Nikon with adapters to have a good manual film camera to go with their digital and the lens would be universal, just in case they get brave and have a few extra bucks. This is a steal:

Minolta SRTMCII, 50 f1.4, Vivitar Ser 1 70-210 f3.5, Viv Flash 283 1 bid, 20 hours to go $9.99 high bid so far
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-6-SERIES-1-50-70-210-62-mm-ZOOM-LENS-283-PHOTOFLASH-MINOLTA-CAMERA-/190584041488?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2c5fb1b010#ht_500wt_1413

MINOLTA SRT102 35MM SLR METAL CAMERA WITH vivitar SERIES 1 70-210 F=2.8-4 NICE - Buy it Now - $10 for expedited shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-SRT102-35MM-SLR-METAL-CAMERA-vivitar-SERIES-1-70-210-F-2-8-4-NICE-/370549011387?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item56467133bb#ht_1742wt_1396

Taken with a Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 lens shot at f8 that cost $10.00


Taken with a Vivitar 70-210mm f3.5 lens shot at f8 that cost $15.00


Taken with a Canon EOS 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens shot at f8 that cost $1600.00+

SQUIRL033 Loc: Chehalis, WA

many old film camera lenses will take amazingly good pictures when mounted on a modern digital camera. in many cases, they don't auto-focus or communicate data to the camera, but if you can shoot in manual mode, they often provide excellent image quality for cheap.

my most-used lens - my "money" lens, in fact - is a Tamron SP24-135 f/3.5-5.6 that was designed for the AF film cameras. it's not stabilized, and it's not as fast and quiet as the closest Canon equivalent (24-105L), but the images it captures are just as sharp and clear, and the color and contrast are excellent. it's a shame Tamron quit making this fine lens about 3 years ago...

gessman Loc: Colorado

I also meant to mention that there are several other "Series 1" lens but this is probably the most popular one, and probably the most sold one. I mostly set my camera on AV, set the aperture on the lens, and the camera will still set the shutter speed for you. It's semi-auto from that perspective and then you focus manually. I would also suggest for Canon users that you get a Nikon or Minolta mount and then search ebay for an adapter that'll allow you to use the Nikon lens on your EOS camera. The FD to EOS Canon adapter has glass in it and it causes problems in that it softens the focus on these lens. The two lens I tested were Nikon AI mounts. I'd keep an eye out for the Nikon mount lens if you're interested because of what I just mentioned as well as the fact that there probably aren't all that many Nikon users looking for these lens.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Gessman,
Thanks for the info. I shoot Nikon and will keep an eye out for a bargain. I do have several Minolta quality lenses with an old SRT 101, an X700, and a XG-7...maybe I can work a deal of some kind.
Thanks for doing the leg work
Rocco

gessman Loc: Colorado

Rocco, you probably don't need to but you can get a Minolta to Nikon adapter for $20 to $25 bucks on ebay. Just a thought.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Thanks.
Another thought is that I just bought my daughter a new Sony for a volunteer "vacation" she's doing at a Montana reservation. i might see if they fit her Sony.
I appreciate you and your posts.

Dria Loc: Ohio

Interesting-- now I have to go play with the old lens(s) I found in my "box of junk" and see what I get.
Thanks!

Greg Loc: Maryland

I have one of these lenses from my film days and still use it, especially for macro/close-up shots. They can be very good lenses, but you also want to watch which version you get. There were 5 different versions of the lifespan of the lens. The later iterations didn't have as good optical quality as the initial offerings, and some versions didn't have the fixed aperature of 3.5. Some floated as is seen more frequently in lenses today. When I got mine, they went for ballpark of $300 or so. Calculating the rate of inflation, is about $1000 in today's dollars. So these were expensive lenses at the time. Most definately, if you can get one cheap, get one. One caveat, for any older used lens, if you can't inspect it when you buy it, make sure there is a return policy. Many old lenses were not store properly and potentially have mold in them. This can be repaired, but are you really going to spend $100-$150 repairing a lens you bought for $25?

dpumehana Loc: unknown

Yes I agree, I too recently bought a om lens for my olympus camera and it works great. Just love it I am still learning to use my prime 50mm lens. It is the 1.8 I bought and got it at $26.00. Just bought one for my cannon mainly taking pictures of the grandchildren it was from amazon.com. The first two is from my Cannon.The last two is from my olympus E-510. I also have a extenstion tube I bought for my cannon which I use with my 300mm lens.

Taken with my Cannon


Cannon




taken with my olympus E-510


Taken with my Cannon

dpumehana Loc: unknown

Will the Milolta work on my olympus camera? I just love ebay,and amazon.com

dpumehana Loc: unknown

I am also looking@ a nikkon 4500 for my scope, it is now at $31.00. Great deals are what I am looking for. I like to shoot birds so this will be great.

Mickey88 Loc: Central Florida

the Minolta md lenses will not work on the sony dslr, without an adapter, and even with the adapter, I'm not sure metering will work

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Checking the nikon mount macro out right now. Thank you for posting this.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Should I be concerned that it states in the description that there is light dust inside the lens. Is that cleanable?

sparky192 Loc: Manitoba, Canada

Hey Gessman
Great writeup! ! ! Right up my alley. I found a Canon made fd to ef adaptor on ebay,for the new Rebel XSi, dont have it yet but looking forward to some comparison with my "film" lenses.
One of my favorites is a Soligor-macro focus super telephoto C/D f=100-500 1:5.6-7.5 72MM that I have used many times on the Canon AE1 with 2X teleconv.
What are you thoughts on Soligor???
Looking through the darkroom stuff I found my Panasonic Palm Cam PV-SD4090 - I liked it because not only pretty good stills but also video with sound.

My regular shooter was usually the Vivitar Series 1 70=200 zoom 1:2.8-4.0 macro zoom.... Wow the pictures it has taken, slide, colour and b/w. I think I bought it in Germany around 1970. also have vivitar series 1 28-105 mm f 1:2.8-3.8....50 mm canon FD,and the Kenko 2X TELEPLUS mc4.

On another note, I see Cokin filters are making a big comeback. I have an assortment of these for B/W and looking for some graduated colour filters.

Sparky