Vivitar 28mm F2.8 Questions

[MightyMike]

While on vacation i picked this lens up, MF with the "A" contacts and Ricoh pin, the manual in the box says 1990. The box had wrinkled plastic over the otherwise fine cardboard, the warranty and manual were glued shut, obvious water damage, the styrofoam encasing for the lens seemed fine and the lens looked as though it had never been touched by water or used much, i took the caps off and found a finger print on both front and rear elements, easily cleaned off, there was no dust, fungus, haze or any other problems with the lens and the aperture was like new.

I used it on my camera by putting a paper between the Ricoh pin and the mount for safety, to my surprise the lens was actually quite sharp at F2.8 at least as seen on the camera screen.

Does anybody have this lens or have used this lens and can you tell me you're experiences? i bought mine for $25+tax ($26.25) to me i think i got a good deal but i'd like to hear what others have experienced about this lens
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[audiobomber]

Vivitar didn't manufacture, I believe they rebadged Cosina and Komine 28mm lenses. I have a couple of A 28mm 2.8's made by Cosina. One is branded Image, the other Kalimar. One is labelled a Macro, but they're identical in every detail. Both had the Ricoh pin, one that I had to remove, the other was already modified. I paid $25 and $35 for them. I am very impressed with the bokeh for a short lens. Colour and contrast are good, resolution is soft but useable at 2.8, improves nicely and is very sharp at F8. Exposure is dead on at 2.8 but overexposes as you close down (app .3Ev/stop) . Photos of the lenses and samples here. Does your lens look like these?

http://picasaweb.google.ca/bonhommed/28mmLenses?authkey=Gv1sRgCM_TnvfApv3AFw#

--
Dan

 

[audiobomber]

My Image 28mm lens is labelled number A23 in the 28mm Bestiary.
http://photografica.robinparmar.com/vivitar.html
I believe A21 and A23 are actually the same lens. The "IMAGE by [make?]"
part should read "IMAGE by Cosina", and my Kalimar is the same lens.

Love the 28mm focal length. It's as wide as you can go and still have a normal perspective.
--
Dan

 

[MightyMike]

Well mine has different markings and a different shaped focus ring (rubber part), the serial number isn't printed on the front of the lens but its on the side, the serial number more closely resembles the Kalimar number, mine doesn't have a shiny green button to move the Aperture ring but a black plastic one and its located beside the "A", the text on it is in a different font and it doesn't show the 1:5* marking. On the mount mine doesn't have the red lettering nor does it have a groove opposite to the pin lock position that yours seem to have, it also has larger screws. Its also missing the 2 holes on the rear piece holding the element, however it has 2 notches at the side. My distance scale also shows F4, F11 and F22, not F5.6.

I guess this means that this was made in a different production year or when Vivitar made it they made a lot of cosmetic differences.

You also reported it was that sharp at F2.8, well i have to look closer but i was rather impressed with what i saw at F2.8 on the camera screen (zoomed in), maybe a lucky shot or wishful seeing.
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[audiobomber]

I guess this means that this was made in a different production year or when Vivitar made it they made a lot of cosmetic differences.

Vivitar never actually manufactured lenses, they only rebadged. I suspect with all the differences you related, you don't have a Cosina. The Komines seem to be a little stronger optically, maybe that's what you have. There are a couple of long threads at Pentax Forums with photos that could help you identify the maker. I won't try and link them because the links are prohibited, but the threads are called Vivitar 28mm As FA31mm Replacement? and The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary , both posted by rparmar.
--
Dan

 

[parallaxproblem]

If it's the Komine version then it's excellent: very sharp with nice colours (though slightly harsh bokeh), smooth focus movement and a really nice weight balance on my *ist DS (looks, works and feels just like a 'standard' 50mm prime on a 35mm manual SLR). I put it on my Katz-eye-equipped DS2 and have happy memories of 'better days' with my Minolta X700 and 50/1.7

If it's the Cosina version then stay clear

The Komine-manufactured versions have serial numbers starting 28....

If memory serves Kiron-manufactured versions have serial numbers starting 22... These have a good reputation but I don't think these came with a KA mount

Anything else in this lens means Cosina (yuk!)

$25 doesn't sound particularly cheap for this lens as they are normally 'bargain bucket' but it certainly is a nice lens to have

 

[MightyMike]

A21 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM" [Cosina]

From the "The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary" website, thats the one i have

http://photografica.robinparmar.com/vivitar.html
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[MightyMike]

I'm willing to bet that Cosina had good and bad copies, i think i got a very good copy

From this site its says its a Cosina
http://photografica.robinparmar.com/vivitar.html

A21 "Vivitar / 28MM 1:2.8 / MC / WIDE ANGLE / Ø49MM" [Cosina]

--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[Anastigmat]

Over at the Pentax forum they had a discussion and a picture. If the lens is as pictured below, then it was made by Cosina, known for good value for the money. Their design philosophy is to find the best lens design possible regardless of cost, then substitue cheaper glass for more expensive glass and see how far performance drops. They keep doing that until they come up with a fine balance between cost and performance. Then they finalize the design.

While on vacation i picked this lens up, MF with the "A" contacts and Ricoh pin, the manual in the box says 1990. The box had wrinkled plastic over the otherwise fine cardboard, the warranty and manual were glued shut, obvious water damage, the styrofoam encasing for the lens seemed fine and the lens looked as though it had never been touched by water or used much, i took the caps off and found a finger print on both front and rear elements, easily cleaned off, there was no dust, fungus, haze or any other problems with the lens and the aperture was like new.

I used it on my camera by putting a paper between the Ricoh pin and the mount for safety, to my surprise the lens was actually quite sharp at F2.8 at least as seen on the camera screen.

Does anybody have this lens or have used this lens and can you tell me you're experiences? i bought mine for $25+tax ($26.25) to me i think i got a good deal but i'd like to hear what others have experienced about this lens
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[LKeithR]

Up till a few years ago--when I dropped and broke it--I had a 28mm Vivitar lens. It wasn't a bad lens and when the Internet became useful I decided to try and trace it's lineage. What I found was quite surprising and often confusing. From the very late 60s till the mid 90s Vivitar sold a large number of lenses made by a bewildering array of manufacturers. The makers I found included: Asanuma, Bauer, Chinon, Cosina, Hoya, Kiron, Komine, Kyoe Schoji, Makinon, Olympus, Ozone Optical, Perkin Elmer, Polar, Schneider and Tokina. The list may be missing some names but you get the idea. Not all lenses were made by all manufacturers. An additional confusing aspect was the fact that many of these makers sold lenses in their own names and to other re-branders...

--
Keith...

Look at the picture, not the pixels...
http://www.lkeithr.zenfolio.com

 

[Stuart Dean]

If I remember correctly the Cameraquest web page has a section on identifing Vivitar lens makers by serial number.
Hope this helps.
S.D

 

[audiobomber]

I couldn't find it.
--
Dan

 

[Stuart Dean]

Do a search for Vivitar Lens Manufacturers
Should be top of the list.

 

[Stuart Dean]

Just checked.

It's on the Cameraquest site under Classic Camera Profiles/Classic and unusual 35mm Lenses.

 

[MusicDoctorDJ]

I have a Canon FD-mount Vivitar 28mm lens I bought back in the 80's . . .

It served me well for many years (along with a Canon FD 28mm) . . .

In many ways I thought it was better than the Canon lens.

But it died on me one day back in the 90's and I never did get it fixed.

--
J. D.
Colorado

• Who says you need a DSLR to get the shot? (from Olympus Tough 8000)

 

[moving_comfort]

I couldn't find it.

Dan:

---> http://www.cameraquest.com/VivLensManuf.htm

Some info pasted below also. FWIW, the Vivitar/Komine 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus (K02 and A02?) is the sharpest 28mm I've ever shot.

.
Vivitar Subcontracted Lens Makers

(1st two digits of serial number)

6 Olympus

9 Cosina

13 Schneider Optik

22 Kino (aka Kiron)

25 Ozone Optical

28 Komine

32 Makinon

33 Asanuma

37 Tokina

42 Bauer

44 Perkin Elmer (US)

47 Chinon

51 Tokyo Trading

56 Kyoe Schoji

75 Hoya Optical

81 Polar
..

 

[audiobomber]

Some info pasted below also. FWIW, the Vivitar/Komine 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus (K02 and A02?) is the sharpest 28mm I've ever shot.

Thanks Jay. Impressive photos. How's the metering? Have you tried any of the 2.0 versions?
--
Dan

 

[moving_comfort]

Some info pasted below also. FWIW, the Vivitar/Komine 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus (K02 and A02?) is the sharpest 28mm I've ever shot.

Thanks Jay. Impressive photos. How's the metering? Have you tried any of the 2.0 versions?

.

On the non-A version, green button brings very accurate results, generally don't need to dial-tweak it. I have not tried any of the f/2 versions, but would love to.

I love the fact that we still have these wonderful Tokina 28's around!

 

[MightyMike]

I sure wouldn't mind an F2 or F1.9
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

 

[JPWG1]

I think this is incorrect.

I have an "IMAGE by Vivitar" 28mm (albeit for Minolta MD) with a 97xxxxxxx serial no. which I guess would be the A23 and would indicate Cosina?

I assume maybe incorrectly that different mounts weren't contracted to different manufacturers for the same design.

It is different to the pics of your lenses and has minimum focussing distance of 23cm.

Mine was bought around 6 months ago for 5 GBP. I use it on a Minolta XG-M that was another ebay bargain £1.04, although I did have to go to work on the light seals.

It's a nice little lens, easy to use, especially for close-ups. It produced 3 keepers from my last developed film so I'd say I'm very happy with it.

My Image 28mm lens is labelled number A23 in the 28mm Bestiary.
http://photografica.robinparmar.com/vivitar.html
I believe A21 and A23 are actually the same lens. The "IMAGE by [make?]"
part should read "IMAGE by Cosina", and my Kalimar is the same lens.

Love the 28mm focal length. It's as wide as you can go and still have a normal perspective.
--
Dan