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Now I am the opposite...I have & prefer the Push-Pull version myself...One point you didn't mention is that the PP version's macro function is throughout the focal range (a variable magnification ratio) whereas the 2 ring is a single focal length close focus ( single magnification ratio)...I got my copy as New/old stock from Adorama's eBay site several years back
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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screaminscott edited this topic 44 months ago.
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What's with what appears to be a third ring on the 2T lens, behind the zoom control, but in front of the apeture? Is that just an extension of the zoom ring?
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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dgwphotos edited this topic 44 months ago.
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@screaminscott - thanks for the additional info. I would also prefer the PP version if only I had a good copy of it...
@dgwphotos - that ring is fixed and serves when one rotate the aperture or zoom rings.
Posted 44 months ago.
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I have two of the Kiron PP models. In extensive testing, they are every bit as good as the legendary Nikon 75-150, and with better build quality. One of mine, is the first one off the assembly line. Superb optics and construction.
Kiron Kid
Posted 44 months ago.
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is the Vivitar 70-150 constant focus? Or variable?
Just saw one on KEH for pretty cheap yesterday.
Posted 44 months ago.
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It looks like a constant focus to me. Easier to focus at 150mm. Not old enough to be a varifocal.
Erratum: in my initial post I was describing the PP version as having a non-rotating front element. In fact it's rotating. I've corrected the initial post.
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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csaveanu edited this topic 44 months ago.
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csaveanu:
i just took delivery of a PP 70-150 vivitar/kiron from US ebay for £32 shipped, not expecting much, but wow! perfect glass, no zoom creep, also no lens caps (i have spares) but a coated UV filter chucked in for free.
i have 3! 75-150Es (can you tell i'm a fan?) but this vivitar looks great; more compact than the E lens (which is just a little cumbersome on my d40) and the close-focussing is a major bonus.
first test shots look very much like E lens results -- very sharp/ nice OOF. i think this could become one of my favourites.
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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theabsurdman edited this topic 44 months ago.
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@theabsurdman: I'm glad you have a good copy. The compact PP version is clearly the one to grab. f/3.5-f/4 seems a little bit too slow especially for focusing. If no flash or bright sun, these lenses seem difficult to use.
Posted 44 months ago.
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Ah, I was wondering what the 2 ring design was like...I was even contemplating getting one if I could see a bargain!
Posted 44 months ago.
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@natures_mathematics: it was fun to test the lens and see how it compares to the PP version: the PP wins on all grounds including, perhaps, image quality that I was not able to really test between the two.
My only problem now is that the 2R is too big and long and has not the expected performance wide open, the PP is defective and anyway the two are not very easy to focus. With another Kiron zoom (35-135mm) and an old Tamron 80-210mm - I begin to have a bunch of lenses that I will probably never use... But it was fun to test them and to play with!
Posted 44 months ago.
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Absurdman
The Kiron 70-150, is every bit as sharp as the legendary Nikon E 75-150. However, it's smaller, lighter and does not develop the horrendous zoom creep, that the Nikon is known for. I tested them side by side, and the Kiron 70-150, was every bit as good as the Nikon. I glassed the negs and slides (10x loupe & light table) and the negs and large prints were very good.
QLP (Kiron Kid & MrVivSeries1)
Posted 44 months ago.
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Posted 44 months ago.
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This lens is excellent paired with a Kiron 2x MC7 Teleconvertor.
This really needs to be looked at, at a larger size. Shot from RAW, it only needed my lowest sharpening settings applying; these are reserved for the likes of the 105mm and the 55mm micro! It is a very sunny day today, so it was easily handheld at 1/1600, ISO 200, f5.6.
I'm starting to think that the MC7 is the exact same unit as the Vivitar matched 70-150 2x unit...
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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natures_mathematics edited this topic 44 months ago.
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i had a chance the shoot a couple of sets with the vivitar. it is indeed very simiilar to the 75-150e in character, though perhaps a shade softer wide open and i had a good proportion of focus misses, probably higher than i would have had with the E lens. here are some early samples:
picasaweb.google.co.uk/theabsurdman/Vivitar7015038
d40 + vivitar 70-150/3.8 @ f3.8
and by way of comparison,
d40 + 75-150/3.5 series E @ f3.5
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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theabsurdman edited this topic 44 months ago.
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A quick point. Kiron makes TCs for a number of camera companies including Nikon. Theirs are some of the best in the business. The matched multiplier for the 70-150 is NOT the same as a TC-7. The glass and positioning is the same but there is a baffle in the unit that is what matches it to the lens. They work super with the lens their matched to but they suck on any other lens, hence the matching....
I have one of the matched multipliers. Was in a "lot " I bought. It's a nice little TC and it works on nothing I own...
Posted 44 months ago.
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I bought a (Kiron) 70-150 two-ring in mint condition for USD $49 in a local pawn shop. Build and optical quality are very impressive. I use it with my Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter (also a Kiron build, I think); and the performance is excellent. The combination yields a 1:2 reproduction ratio at closest focus, with image quality almost as good as my Micro-Nikkor 105mm 1:4. Its a great combination for general nature photography. Add a 27.5 mm extension ring, and you get almost 2:1 (with the 2X converter).
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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gauchocat edited this topic 44 months ago.
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When you get the right conditions the Viv is an equal to the Nikon E, I feel. The focus thing has come up quite a bit, you need a much more precise touch to get it right on in many situations.
Thanks for the update RFC, its just that it worked so well with the Viv and so poorly with the Kiron and the units look similar ( granted I can't physically compare them ) that I thought there maybe some milage in my theory. Saying that it works great with a Series E 100mm as well...
Posted 44 months ago.
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here's the Ricoh version of this odd FL
XR Rikenon, which I hear is their "pro" line. At least that what some random dude said in a random photo forum.
found this looking at lenses for sale online. I thought at first it was similar to the viv's, but....not really.........
58mm filter ring...
Posted 44 months ago.
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Got myself a PP version of the 70-150 with the matched multiplier
My D40 is at Nikon for pixel mapping, will take more pics when I got it back.
Mean while here are some pictures of the lens itself :)
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3014090546/]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3013261695/]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3014094286/]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3013265373/]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3014099842/]
The multiplier:
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3014097996/]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3014100380/]
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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K.V.L edited this topic 43 months ago.
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It's amazing how many good examples of this there are out there...mine is spotless, like new...
Posted 43 months ago.
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Keep in mind, that Kiron also made a dedicated 1.5 X teleconverter, (Kiron 1.5X Match-Mate) specifically for their 70-150 one-touch model. I'll have to shoot one of mine and post it.
QLP
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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quietlightphoto edited this topic 43 months ago.
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Natures_M
You're right. They seem to be quite common. I've got two of the Kiron one-touch models, in pristine condition. Both with the original lens hood. And one of them is the first one off the assembly line. I'll be using mine tomorrow with some Neopan 400CN for a shoot.
QLP
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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quietlightphoto edited this topic 43 months ago.
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Finally got my D40 back.
First thing to do is to test out the vivitar 70-150 f3.8 with the matched 2X multiplier. BOY this is a sharp lens.
I can comfortably say this is a sharper lens than my vivitar series 1 70-210 f2.8-4.
But this is also a more expensive lens...(yeah I was kinda stupid)
Anyway, here are the pictures:
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3061618819/sizes/o/]
f5.6, 1/250 sec, iso 200, @ 150mm
Should be somewhere close to closest focus.
Pretty sharp eh... :)
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3062419576/sizes/o/]
This is taken with the multiplier at either open appeture or half a stop down (because I can't get an blur-free shot with the apperture being any slower)
f7.3 or f10, 1/60 sec, iso 1600, @ 300mm
As you can see from the 100% crop, the picture is pretty sharp for a lens with 2x teleconverter.
and here is a picture to show the colour renderation:
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/70767289@N00/3062420240/sizes/l/in/photostream/]
Please click on the picture to see large size version.
Anyways, I'm really happy with this lens, highly recommended!
Posted 43 months ago.
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KVL
Have you tried it with the dedicated 1.5x Matched Multiplier? You'll get even better results.
QLP
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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quietlightphoto edited this topic 43 months ago.
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Now that I think of it, perhaps I'll slap the dedicated 1.5 x Matched Multiplier, on one of my superlative Kiron 70-150 glass rigs (that I prefer over the Vivitar version), and post the results. Damn, I'll have to shoot one of Kiron 1.5X Matchmate teleconverters tonight. However, the Vivitar version ROCKS! Keep shooting!
Scott, please remind me to do this!
QLP
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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quietlightphoto edited this topic 43 months ago.
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QLP
I don't really know the existence of the 1.5x Matched Multiplier until I read this thread. I guess it's made for the kiron version of the 70-150?
I also have a kiron made vivitar 28mm f2.8 close focus. Both lens have superb mechanical and optical performance. I think I'm hooked to kiron made lenses.
Is there any other Kiron made famous vivitar lens?
I know kiron also makes the 135mm f2.8, but I just got a tokina made T4 135 f2.8 for $21 shipped to Canada so I don't think I'd be getting any more tele lens...haha
I'll be looking forward to see the test result of your kiron 70-150 + matched 1.5x multiplier lens :)
Originally posted 43 months ago.
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K.V.L edited this topic 43 months ago.
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Hey, KVL, glad you like the lens.
It works GREAT with a Kiron MC7 2x convertor as well:
Posted 43 months ago.
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@KVL, I have a Kiron-made Vivitar 35-85mm 1:2.8; it is an excellent lens.
Posted 42 months ago.
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KVL
I noticed that you have the Cosina made, Viv S-1 70-210. How do you like it? Have you compared it to the Komine made model?
QLP
Posted 42 months ago.
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Posted 42 months ago.
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Well, reviving this old thread because I had the occasion to test a third Vivitar 70-150mm, Kiron made! I bought it for fun after dissassembling the other two. The push-pull version I initially bought had a problem of coating on one of the elements and was clearly broken. Great expectations from the new lens, which looked in excellent optical condition!
DISSAPOINTMENT: the lens is good, definitely better than the one with problems but not better than the two-rings version. And clearly far from the 105mm prime (the best standard I have).
That's it. It might be a convenient lens to carry around because it is small and takes 52mm filters but there are prime lenses in this focal range that have much better performance (105mm f/2.5, 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor or Tokina).
In the end, the question still remains: is it this lens really very similar to the Nikon E 75-150, which people claim has similar image quality with the 105mm prime ?
Posted 41 months ago.
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Yes, the Kiron 70-150 is every bit as sharp as the legendary Nikon 75-150. I've done the tests. I don't own any Vivitar versions. Mine are the Kiron models.
Posted 41 months ago.
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What are the three red lines labeled 70, 105, and 150 on the 2R version? They look like DOF scales but for what aperture?
Posted 39 months ago.
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My guess: They're for IR focusing.
Posted 39 months ago.
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Ahh, that makes more sense than DOF markings.
Posted 39 months ago.
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I've found it works well with a reversed lens mounted on the front:
I used a 50mm f1.8 AF-D for the reversed lens.
Originally posted 39 months ago.
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dgwphotos edited this topic 39 months ago.
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Hello,
I have just aquired aVivitar 70-150mm 1:3.8 close focussing auto zoom lens No.22957047 and have the following problems with it:-
no doubt one of its previous owners has either damaged it or had it apart and put it back together incorrectly.
The first thing that was obvious is that the aperture setting cannot be moved past f11 but moves from f3.8 to f11 as normal.
Secondly the focussing seems to be a long way out...at 150mm setting infinty is at about 40 feet on the barrel....at 70mm setting infinty is at about 12 feet on the barrel and on the close focus setting it focusses throughout the focussing range at about a distance of 1 foot.
I noticed that Csaveanu mentioned that he had dismantled one of these and wonder if he documented the construction and if so is he willing to let me have the information so that I can attempt to put the lens back to rights as all the elements seem to be perfect and so does the lens casing...????
Living in hope....
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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Is this the one or two ring model?? If it is the one ring, read on.
Sounds like the helicoids have been put together wrong.
Peel off the rubber grip and you will see two screws either side riding on a plastic housing in a slot in the focus ring. Set the focus to infinity and unscrew these, being careful not to lose the two plastic housings they sit in ( careful these screw are often tight and mash easily - the correct fitting screwdriver can make the difference ). You can now unscrew the barrel from the main unit. What you now need to do is by trial and error screw the barrel back into place in the correct way. There are many exit threads and one of these is the correct one. Mark the points on the barrel as you screw back together as you go along so can use these as a reference point. Bear in mind that you should be able to screw all the way down and the two screw holes should align in the slot on the focus ring. Check infinity focus for conformation, by mounting on the camera. An object 100 yards or so away should give you a good reference point. If it looks good screw back onto the focus ring ensuring the plastic holders are in place. If not unscrew the barrel then rotate to the next exit point, mark it and start again until you get the right one.
You can fine tune infinity if you seem to be slightly out by loosening the tiny grub screw at the end of the barrel and rotating the front element group, then retighten the screw.
Hope that makes sense to you!
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi,
It is the 2/3 ring model......:(..........
Many thanks for a starter reply....
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi,
Just to add some clarification this is a quick pic of the rear end-
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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Just thought I'd post a link to a new group devoted to the Kiron & Vivitar 70-150mm zooms
www.flickr.com/groups_members.gne?id=1108794@N22
Posted 38 months ago.
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I'm a bit late to try to answer Mike's question but I see that natures_mathematics has already given a lot of info about that lens. On my side, I was unable to dissassemble that lens, now I know why - did not touch the rubber grips...
Posted 38 months ago.
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Sorry, Mike I have only disassembled the one ring version.
You could try the Vivitar Yahoo group, maybe?
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi Everybody,
I have not yet made any substantial moves on this but on having a further look I now realise that the grips are actually some form of rubber or neoprene (I had thought that they were mouldings of some sort as they are so hard and appear to be undisturbed not showing any 'crazing' that I have seen on others) and there are some screws under the focussing ring that need further investigation when I can suss out how to get the grip off without damaging it permanently (not as forgiving as others).
There are also some very small slot head screws around the edge of the zoom/close focus ring and yet more of the same around the ring that the aperture selector runs on....
The primary need is to get an idea of how the aperture selector has ended up not being able to get to f16 or f22 ....I need to know what to expect for taking the base off - like how many little balls atc to deal with..
Regards,
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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Take out the screws in the back of the mount and carefully lift the metal mount out. Put it to one side.
You should be able to see the aperture ring with a lever attached to it. The ring will probably need to be turned so this lever is in a slot that will allow the ring to be lifted out. Make a note beforehand though of what that lever is moving - it should be a little paddle. It will need to be sitting behind or holding the paddle in place when you put the ring back on, whichever it was .
The bearing sits between the aperture ring and the main body in a hole or a slot. If it is not sitting there glued in with grease, either on the ring or the body of the lens it has fallen out. You are working on a white towel, aren't you? Should be easy to find if so.
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi,
It turned out that three small screws under the front grip were merely to locate the distance scale. The other single screw is merely a lock screw that serves two purposes - firstly it locates in a slot to determine the beginning and end of the focusing travel and secondly if unscrewed enough it will allow the whole front end to be removed.
The zoom and close focus operate a 2 stage inner turret in the main barrel which runs on a single slot with a guide roller.
Thus there would seem to not be any adjustment unless the actual front element can be adjusted somehow or one of the inner turrets adjusted...the aperture seems to have mysteriously fixed itself now and there is only a slight hiccup where it used to stop completely ?!!!
Regards,
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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if unscrewed enough it will allow the whole front end to be removed.
You just need to remove the front end and rescrew correctly I believe...
You may need to post some more shots, I'm working blind here...!
PS please remind me to never look at the start of your photostream ever again ;o)
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi,
That is what I thought but yesterday after having it apart I can now say that the front end is mounted via a classic multi start coarse thread but due to the fact that there is only one locating screw and hole for the focussing range slot the front end can only be fitted in one way to get both an infinty focus for 150mm and a focus range (also I am definitely the first person to have tampered with the screw at this end).
The last lens that I tinkered with for cleaning purposes was a Sigma and that behaved exactly as expected - adjust infinity at the high end, check the low end ....slight tweak and then lock it...easy...but this beast is certainly giving me a sore head with the radical difference between infinity for 70 and 150mm.
The screws that look to have been almost definitely tampered with previously are the 3 that are at right angles to the lens axis in the fitting (2 cross heads and one raised slot screw)...the rear element is fixed so could this be the culprit and do those screws have any influence on it ?
Sorry about the gruesome pics but they were done for someone working for the drug manufacturer that wanted a case history for a presentation....morale is don't try removing the roots of a cherry tree (more root than tree) during a hot August while painting some windows in between times and wearing gloves for too long...too much heat, mosture and damage resulted in bacterial and fungal infection taking hold with a vengeance - the fungal was actually the ubiquitous Candida !!)
Mike
Posted 38 months ago.
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Hi,
I saw one vivitar lens 75-150mm f3.8 zoom but not macro. Is it the same? It has rabbit ears. How many version of vivitar 75-150mm f3.8 there? Is there any database showing photos of the lens? Sorry for my too many question. I googled and I cannot find the information. My camera is Fuji finepix S3 pro and it can mount only AI and AI-s
Wilco
Originally posted 38 months ago.
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wilcofong edited this topic 38 months ago.
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The two rings version from Kiron is called 'close focusing'. Which is, in a way closer to reality. None of these zooms are macro lenses. You can identify on most occasions the manufacturer of the Vivitar lenses by the serial number of the lens. If it starts with "22", the manufacturer was Kiron or Kino Optics.
Posted 38 months ago.
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There are at least 4 versions of the Viv 70-150. 2 manufactured by Kiron and two by Tokina. A one ring and a two ring by each manufacturer. In addition the Kiron manufactured lens also appeared under the Kiron name itself.
Posted 38 months ago.
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Thanks for the reply. Where can I find the photos of the other two lens? The quality of 2 by Tokina is also good like kiron?
Posted 38 months ago.
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The Kiron & Vivitar 70-150 "one-touch" zooms, ROCK!
QLP
Posted 38 months ago.
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i couldn't resist a kiron 70-150/f4 tonight for £21 UK shipped! it has a tiny chip in the middle of the front element but i figure that won't affect IQ in the slightest. be interesting to see how it compares to the kiron Vivitar that i already have.
Posted 37 months ago.
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Absurdman
Nice chunk O glass. You're going to love it.
QLP
Posted 37 months ago.
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I do! But my 70-15-0 1 touch vivitar.
Originally posted 24 months ago.
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Strange Artifact edited this topic 24 months ago.
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two ring version, BIG file (if you choose original)
on "close focus" setting, f/8
Posted 20 months ago.
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ZIPPER GOOCH [deleted] says:
Vivitar at 5.6 close focus
Nikon at 5.6 closest focus at 75mm
Posted 20 months ago.
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I have the 2R version. Its nice but my version has a loose aperture ring so I don't use it much.
Posted 20 months ago.
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