Another Fine Vivitar

Hi!

This is another particularly fine Vivitar Optic, made by Kiron/Kimo/Kino (and whatever other combination they used)...

The f1:2.5 isn't much of an improvement over the f1:2.8 models, and as some have mentioned, this lens is somewhat vulnerable to damage by virtue of that massive front element protruding so close to the end of the filter thread.

I normally do not advocate the use of "protection filters" .. as we photographers are a lazy lot, and while we will not tolerate even a speck of dust on the lens itself, we usually carry around "protection filters" on our lenses that are completely filthy. Additionally, the quality of the "protection filter" has a lot to do with controlling flare, ghosting, sharpness and contrast, as well as definition. Unless you're willing to spend the $60 for a decent UV or Skylight filter, you shouldn't put it in the optical path of your image-rendering system (previously known as a camera/lens combo).

HOWEVER!! In this instance, because of that vulnerable front element, I do recommend putting a skylight or UV filter on this lens, and leaving it there (do not forget about it, though, and please clean it once in a while).

Some people who have used this lens speak of it being "too contrasty" or "too sharp"... these are complaints I can deal with. If we were talking "film only" -- as in the old days, this would be silly, as no one used 28mm lenses with 35mm cameras for portraiture (unless it was a large group shot).

With digital, however, 28mm can be a good "normal" length optic on some systems, or even a mild telephoto or portrait length lens on some digital systems..

That being said, you may need to "unsharpen" the image, or possibly reduce contrast in your image editing software... or, use the old solution and use some sort of softening filter on the lens in the first place.

If 28mm is still a "wide angle" lens for you, however, by all means this is a good choice, and can be gotten cheaply, if you are patient, here on Ebay.
(Under $10, plus S&H)

Razor-Sharp, Contrasty, and perfect for black and white landscape film photography, which is my general use for such an optic.

Good Luck!!

--Tom Myro

Worth to look and have good price-performance value. Heavy, solid.

Very-very good lens for less than $50 you can find it on ebay. Sharp is not such perfect like latest vivtars, but solid case makes this feel comfortable and easy to use. If money is not a issue, I do recommend to buy prime lens of your camera brand. If you like perfect sharpness for all distances, then vivtar 28/2.8 MC with 49mm filter is better choice, but if you have limited budget and think about bokeh - this lens is worth your attention.

Excellent lens for photo and video...

The lens I received was in excellent condition and shows very little signs of previous use. The aperture and focus ring are both very smooth and work flawlessly.

The quality of the glass is excellent as well. This lens produces tack sharp images and has a very smooth bokeh.

Highly recommended for anyone needing a wide-angle lens.

Great condition and would be perfect, if it fit!

I bought the lens because it was listed as an M42 mount lens. It is a Minolta MC series lens. The quality was excellent with little to no real wear showing. I will simply relist it with the correct specifications and new photos so that the next purchaser will be able to know exactly what they are getting.

These were solid little lenses with a good maximum aperture and overall wonderful quality. If it fits what you need and looks as good as the one I got, buy it!

Vivitar 28 mm f/2.5 lens

The lens was exactly as he decribed it ..the lens is exactly what i have been looing for ..a wide angle lens for my Nikon F3 ..The reason i bought this lens is i want to take some shots with a manual camera and learn that aspect of photography ..i am a amatuer trying to achieve professional status and maybe some day i will..i would recommend any beginning photographers to get back to basics and dont let the digital run your lives..the best photographers in the world started this way