Any experiences with this lens on 35mm SLR or FF DSLR bodies? I've seen one with F mount with ~€150,00 price tag (and almost brand new) but hesitated somehow...
Serkan
[quote name='PuxaVida' timestamp='1302508756' post='7528']
Any experiences with this lens on 35mm SLR or FF DSLR bodies? I've seen one with F mount with ~€150,00 price tag (and almost brand new) but hesitated somehow...
Serkan
[/quote]
I'd say, avoid it. Vivitar is/was not exactly known for high quality lenses, and I am certain this ultra wide angle is no exception.
I do have a tip for you, though... if you want an ultra wide angle for very little, which CAN perform, look for a Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-4.5. It gets really nicely sharp and rather good at around f8, and then has quite good colour and contrast too. It has been sold under different brand names too, maybe even vivitar, and cosina, but I can not say for certain they are exactly the same in optical performance.
The Tokina should be around 100 euros, or even below that.. I am certain it will not disappoint (when you close it down a bit).
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1302511739' post='7530']
I'd say, avoid it. Vivitar is/was not exactly known for high quality lenses, and I am certain this ultra wide angle is no exception.
I do have a tip for you, though... if you want an ultra wide angle for very little, which CAN perform, look for a Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-4.5. It gets really nicely sharp and rather good at around f8, and then has quite good colour and contrast too. It has been sold under different brand names too, maybe even vivitar, and cosina, but I can not say for certain they are exactly the same in optical performance.
The Tokina should be around 100 euros, or even below that.. I am certain it will not disappoint (when you close it down a bit).
[/quote]
I've heard the Vivitar version of 19-35mm (made by Cosina) as a better alternative to 17-28mm, but couldn't find it here in local resellers (and also it is not wide enough)... Anyway, thanks for the tip.
By the way, the 17-28mm is the Samyang made I guess...
Serkan
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1302511739' post='7530']
I'd say, avoid it. Vivitar is/was not exactly known for high quality lenses ...
[/quote]
Not too unlikely, this applies for the lens in question, but it is not
generally true ... the good old Vivitar "Series 1" lenses were a
pleasure to use, and very good quality. But admitedly, Vivitar also
produced a lot of less good lenses.
Rainer
[quote name='IanCD' timestamp='1302555703' post='7545']
...
Sorry, PuxaVida, for the slight hijack...!
Ian
[/quote]
No problem... I see that noone has tried it... Actually, the price was kinda "buy me, you won't regret" price. I hesitated, just because I thought that it might have serious issues (like huge vignetting, very low contrast etc...). Sample images (taken with DSLR) are really hard to find and the ones I saw doesn't tell anything.
If I buy it, I will tell about the performance here in this thread...
Serkan
[quote name='Rainer' timestamp='1302540762' post='7539']
Not too unlikely, this applies for the lens in question, but it is not
generally true ... the good old Vivitar "Series 1" lenses were a
pleasure to use, and very good quality. But admitedly, Vivitar also
produced a lot of less good lenses.
Rainer
[/quote]
I have an old Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 macro, and I can say that is a very decent lens. Bitingly sharp when stopped down a bit.
' /> (also a K-mount Tokina AT-X 50-250 if of any interest...)