Author: | Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-13 of 13 | Otis Memorial Pentaxian Registered:March,2007 Location:Vancouver (USA) Posts:42,007 | Review Date: December 13, 2021 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:N/A | | Version 1 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-3-5-version1.html Version 2 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-3-5-ver...de-tokina.html Version 3 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-70-210mm-f2-8-4-version-3.html Version 4 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f28-4-version-4-cosina.html Version 5 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-2-8-4-0-q-dos.html Version 6 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f28-4-v6-apochromatic.html IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ~NO~ FURTHER REVIEWS BE PLACED ON THIS LEGACY PAGE, AND THAT ANY NEW REVIEW OF A SPECIFIC VERSION BE PLACED ON ITS OWN RELEVANT REVIEW PAGE - Please use the links above to add any new lens review for any of the manual focus Vivitar Series 1 (VS1) 70-210 zoom lenses. [This review page will continue to exist as an introductory page to the VS1 70-210 lens series, with its legacy lens reviews (not all of which specify exactly which version is being reviewed) being allowed to remain as originally written. | | | | | New Member Registered:March,2021 Location:Castellón de la plana Posts:1 | Review Date: April 9, 2021 | Recommended |Price:$25.00 |Rating:8 | Pros: | zoom range, aperture, macro, price | Cons: | heavy | Sharpness: 8 Aberrations: 6 Bokeh: 9 Handling: 7 Value: 9 Camera Used: Nikon D2X | | This is first version of Vivitar 70-210mm 3.5 nicely done, as my unit was made more than fourty years ago! and still work and give good shots in 2021. My unit focus ring is a bit stiff on macro mode on 180-210mm range, the only flaw. Sharpness is good overall, but a bit soft at f/3.5. It has some ca's and purple fringing on bright focus and a really good bokeh, even if this lens has only six diaphragm blades. There are no significant flares (see the shot), no really need for a hood. my Vivitar on a D2X (Kiron - serial nº 22130402) F/9.50 and the bokeh is still pleasant f/6.50 on macro mode closest 1.7m at 70mm f/3.5 closest 1.7m at 210mm f/3.5, strong CA's on bright lights The sun in the image, no big deal | | | | New Member Registered:November,2013 Posts:14 | Review Date: September 14, 2019 | Recommended |Price:$10.00 |Rating:10 | Pros: | very sharp, excellent lens, no CA's | Cons: | none | Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 10 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 9 Value: 10 Camera Used: K-S1 k-x k200d Mz 5 sfx z20p | | what a wonderfull lens !!! I've got the 15/10 elements version of Vivitar Serie 1 ++ excellent sharpness ++ nice bokeh +/++ wide open scarecely visible CAs - with f 8-11 none ++ excellent color rendition ++ high contrast ++ full metal / glass constuction 9.7 points for the first 3.5 version with macro 1:2 ps. with a 36 mm macro ring and focal reductor (2/1 elements of a 8x30 binocular fitted into a small macro ring !!!) I've got an excellent macro les 2.8/50-150 with exorbitant sharpness (very low price because of a small fungus at the edge of the front lens - not remarcable with APS-C.) | | | | Site Supporter Registered:September,2006 Location:New England Posts:1,286 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: May 31, 2017 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:N/A | | PLEASE POST ~NO~ FURTHER REVIEWS ON THIS LEGACY PAGE, AND INSTEAD POST ANY NEW REVIEW OF A SPECIFIC VERSION ON ITS OWN RELEVANT REVIEW PAGE - Please use these specific links to add any new review for any of the manual focus Vivitar Series 1 (VS1) 70-210 zoom lenses: Version 1 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-3-5-version1.html Version 2 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-3-5-ver...de-tokina.html Version 3 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-70-210mm-f2-8-4-version-3.html Version 4 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f28-4-version-4-cosina.html Version 5 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f-2-8-4-0-q-dos.html Version 6 Lens Reviews - https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-70-210mm-f28-4-v6-apochromatic.html | | | | | New Member Registered:June,2016 Posts:1 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: June 4, 2016 | Recommended |Price:$65.00 |Rating:9 | Pros: | Very inexpensive | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 8 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 8 Value: 10 Camera Used: Nikon D50 | | Look...I am just an amateur. In fact I put it on and love using the instant screen output of "what do I need to adjust next" It is completely manual and it does not take long to understand the moment. Lets face it , we do not need to take notes and develop the film now. It is a Fantastic lens with INSTANT feedback from the DSLR. The other day I took it out and had my boy stand for a few seconds, he was wanting to get on with skateboarding. I took the following in one take after a prior adjusting for light. I was 12 feet away with a hand held D50 Nikon and this is what I got...no editing...simple , pure result from a camera moron (actually i am intelligent) with no training or education in film.Thank you. 40 Year old Lens!! | | | | Veteran Member Registered:August,2015 Location:Toulon, South of France Posts:357 | Review Date: September 11, 2015 | Recommended |Price:$70.00 |Rating:10 | Pros: | build quality, sharp, bright colors | Cons: | very heavy, has to be mod for dslr | Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 10 Bokeh: 9 Handling: 6 Value: 10 | | I've not bought it yet but the seller lent it to me for testing, I have tested it on sea-side and will probably buy this 1st version (with the 67mm filter thread). This lens can produce fantastic photos for the price. The only bad thing is there is no tripod screw-mount on it as it is much heavier than the camera body, and it may take some training to realy master this beast, maybe more hours spent at the gym Also the model I have tested needs a mod to be mounted on a KAF2 mount, the aperture lever shield must be trimed or removed (3 screws to remove it). Here are some photos taken this afternoon (I missed a lot of my shots because move blur comes very fast when you don't want to go over ISO 200). Found best results between f/5.6 - f/8 but it is still sharp wider, only focusing becomes harder at wide and the huge focusing cylinder is a bit to smooth. https://flic.kr/p/xxy42M https://flic.kr/p/ycY5AQ https://flic.kr/p/xxHL1T | | | | Senior Member Registered:February,2013 Location:Spokane, WA Posts:118 4 users found this helpful | Review Date: October 7, 2013 | Recommended |Price:$70.00 |Rating:10 | Pros: | Great contrast, sharpness, price, macro, colors, superb bokeh, quality of construction, constant f/3.5 | Cons: | heavy, no tripod collar, takes time to master | Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 8 Value: 10 | | This is lens is so great that I own 4 copies of the lens it's self. The lens takes time to master the sliding and turning to focus. It is heavy and will make you want to go to the gym just so your arms won't be so tired. This is lens is highly under estimated by newer photographer just because it doesn't have auto-focus. Their lost and my gain in this matter. The lens is really sharp when stopped down. It is one of my sharpest lens that I have and I take it everywhere. When used when used with the lens hood the aberrations is almost non-existent, what little is there can easily be removed in PP. The bokeh is buttery and smooth wide open and still holds that value when stopped down. It can completely make the background look like a painting if used correctly. JAH_2042_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr JAH_2112_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr JAH_2210_01 by Jarrett_Hunt, on Flickr | | | | Senior Member Registered:January,2011 Location:Detroit suburbs Posts:259 | Review Date: March 24, 2013 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:8 | Pros: | Good output when done right | Cons: | Muted contrast at default settings | Sharpness: 8 Aberrations: 6 Bokeh: 8 Handling: 7 Value: 10 | | I have the series 1 version. Overall this is a really nice lens and performs rather well. Aberrations are a problem for this lens in my view, but LR4 cleans these up nicely. Since this is the heaviest (and longest) lens I own, I don't pack it much. When I have used it, however, it has performed well. I was bored the other day so I took some test shots. On a tripod with 2s mirror up, LV focused, default lightroom settings. 1:2 crop of this lens at about 100mm f5.6: And here is a 1:2 crop of my Pentax D FA 100mm Macro at f5.6: As you can tell not exactly at the same focal length. | | | | Junior Member Registered:November,2009 Location:Portland, OR Posts:42 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: June 2, 2012 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:10 | Pros: | | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 8 Handling: 9 Value: 10 | | I very recently took Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/2.8-4 (third edition-Komine model) out for a shoot this last Memorial Day (2012). I had forgotten how very good this lens is. Yes, it's a tad heavy, compared to modern lenses, but the optical quality and build construction is superb. I burned a roll of Portra 400 with it. The neg's and scans are great! No post processing on the snaps. This is one very sharp and well built zoom. | | | | Site Supporter Registered:November,2010 Location:California Posts:2,223 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: May 12, 2012 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:10 | Pros: | GREAT IQ | Cons: | WEIGHT? | Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 10 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 9 Value: 9 | | I have the Kiron (ver. 1) and the Komine (ver. 3), both lenses are very good and I recommend them. The Komine is easier to use because of the PkA. The Kiron is probably a better lens, but it is heavier, and to use the macro, you have to push a button and rotate it. The Kiron requires stopping down with the green button (or with the on/off switch on the K5). It is easier to use on the K5 because of that. I paid four times what I paid for the Kiron to get the Komine. Here are couple of photos: These ones were taken with the Kiron, my first shot with it. Not to bad for chasing a bee: VivitarS170-210-3.5(KironV1)-Bee-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr VivitarS170-210mmf3.5(Ver.1-Kiron)-LemonsToBe1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr These ones were taken with the Komine: Dredging by Palenquero, on Flickr Train by Palenquero, on Flickr VivitarDana2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr VivitarDana9-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr VivSeries170-210-f2.8-4-Dana7-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr | | | | New Member Registered:March,2010 Location:New Hampshire Posts:8 | Review Date: May 12, 2011 | Recommended |Price:$185.00 |Rating:9 | Pros: | Well built, Image Quality, Great macro (for a zoom), f/2.8 | Cons: | some aberation on the Kx toward the long end of the zoom | | Very pleased with this lens. Very sharp. I have the third version (Kommie) with no "A" switch. The focus feels as smooth as any of the good Pentax lenses I have used over the years. This one is a keeper! | | | | Veteran Member Registered:March,2011 Location:Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Posts:2,902 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: April 21, 2011 | Recommended |Price:$200.00 |Rating:10 | Pros: | Sharp!!!, Build Quality, 2.8 | Cons: | Prone to aberration mid~long on Digital Bodies | | Konime Version w/ A setting --------------------------------------- Can't say enough about this lens, it is a great performer. I have noticed a mention or two about the color rendition of the images being off, THAT IS 100% INACCURATE, this lens produces spot on color, on every single shot taken with this lens. Other users of this lens compares the color accuracy compared to newer lenses that do not produce accurate color renditions on digital cameras. The only downside of this lens is the aberration, typically when shooting on the long end, and not present when I use this lens to shoot film on my ME Super or Super Program. I give it a 9.5 rating, since there is no 1/2 increments on the ratings system, I will bump it to a 10. | | | | Senior Member Registered:May,2009 Location:Sacramento Posts:131 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: April 10, 2011 | Recommended |Price:None indicated |Rating:9 | Pros: | sharp, multiple uses, built like a tank | Cons: | heavy, zoom creep. | | I just received this lens and will add to the review as I gain experience. First, it is one of the lenses that was built to last. Solid construction throughout means that if it's dropped, check your floor for damage before you check the lens. It benefits from the use of a tripod as the lens weighs enough that it is really difficult to maintain a steady focus. I'll be adding a hood to lessen flare which has not actually been a big problem (so far). The zoom has a tendency to creep down if the lens is angled to the ground, which, as the lens is "of a size", is fairly often. I'm so far impressed with the contrast and the versatility of this lens. Shots below were handheld in full sunlight. | | |