Vivitar Series 1 lenses and one with sticky aperature

Its up to you, but if you can't return it, I would definitely FIX the lens.
I got one of the 28-90s last year and couldn't be happier with it. At $50 ca
to have it tweeked your still ahead of the game and will have a great lens
in hand.

kwhiner


"braxus" wrote in message
...
I just got a lens off Ebay. Yes it seems this is another winner sale here.
Anyway the lens is a 28-90 Vivitar Series 1 F2.8 and the aperature is
sticking. Sometimes it will close down, sometimes not. When it goes from
close to open it has a slow comeback almost as if its spring action is
slow.
I enquired on this at a store and they said what it may need is a service
to
clean and relube the lens which costs $75 Canadian. Is this worth it? I've
already made the investment in the lens and returning it may not be an
option. I paid $75 US for the lens. The camera store says I got a good
deal
and its a good lens, so he thinks its worth it. Could this be all it is or
something more with the Vivitars Im unaware of? Im currently trying to
contact the seller to resolve this issue.
I also got a Vivitar 70-210 Series 1 lens from a different person. That
one
is in good shape. No probs. What Im wondering since both lenses have focal
length between 70-90mm, which lens should I use over the other for this
focal range? The tele or the wider angle one? By the way both of these are
for Canon FD mounts. Both are the 67mm filter size version.

PS I must add that the weight of both the T-90 tank and the 2 Vivitar
lenses
on this camera- man I need muscles now to hold this thing all day. Looks
like the Rebel G will get more use now. :P

I just got a lens off Ebay. Yes it seems this is another winner sale here.
Anyway the lens is a 28-90 Vivitar Series 1 F2.8 and the aperature is
sticking. Sometimes it will close down, sometimes not. When it goes from
close to open it has a slow comeback almost as if its spring action is
slow.
I enquired on this at a store and they said what it may need is a service
to
clean and relube the lens which costs $75 Canadian. Is this worth it? I've
already made the investment in the lens and returning it may not be an
option. I paid $75 US for the lens. The camera store says I got a good
deal
and its a good lens, so he thinks its worth it. Could this be all it is or
something more with the Vivitars Im unaware of? Im currently trying to
contact the seller to resolve this issue.
I also got a Vivitar 70-210 Series 1 lens from a different person. That
one
is in good shape. No probs. What Im wondering since both lenses have focal
length between 70-90mm, which lens should I use over the other for this
focal range? The tele or the wider angle one? By the way both of these are
for Canon FD mounts. Both are the 67mm filter size version.

Braxus

The Vivitar S-1 28-90, is a very good lens. It is worth the time and money
to have it cleaned. Back in the mid 80's, when your lens was made (by Komine,
for Vivitar) they used animal based lubricants in the lenses. Over time and
heat, they break down, and migrate down onto the aperture blades. Slowing them
down, and eventually they will stick open. The modern day synthetic based
lubricants are much more impervious to temperature extreme's and time. If it is
done correctly, the problem should not reoccur. I, like Kevin, highly recommend
that you have this particular lens fixed. It's a great lens. I've also included
my review of the Vivitar Series 1, 70-210 lenses. Yours is the first edition.

Regarding Viv S-1 glass. There are numerous (6) Series 1, 70-210 lenses.
However, for the sake of discussion, we will deal with the first five. The 4th
& 5th editions are nothing to seriously consider, so we will concentrate on the
first three editions, which are the good one's. The 4th & 5th editions are also
2.8-4 variable aperture model's, but lacking in construction quality (Cosina
built). Due to the fact that the third one is a variable aperture lens, (2.8-4)
it will be somewhat sharper than a fixed aperture lenses. It is much easier to
design and build a quality variable aperture lens.

The first edition was designed by Vivitar (Ellis Betensky had a hand in it)
and built by Kiron. (67mm filter) It is a professional caliber lens, with a 1:2
macro feature built into it. It was the first zoom, designed with the aid of
computers, that truly rivaled the OEM lenses of the time. That was in "76." It
is a very high quality zoom, that will deliver professional quality results.

The second edition (my personal favorite) was built by Tokina, per, Vivitars
specs. It too, is a fixed 3.5 aperture, but smaller, lighter and sharper. (62mm
filter size). I really like it because of the fixed 3.5 aperture which is nice
for focusing in dim light and long range flash work. However, not a true macro,
1:4 life size. However, it deliver's very good results!

The third edition was made by Komine, and like the first two, is very well
built. It is a 2.8-4 variable aperture lens, and the sharpest of the bunch. It
has 1:2.5 life size macro from 100-210mm's, with a working distance of about
two feet. Which can be quite useful. Can you see a discernible difference in
slides taken with either one of them? Probably not! Don't get caught up in
bench tests. Any of the first three editions will give you
professional-publishable images. I really like this lens, and in time may
become my favorite.

Personally, I recommend the second or third edition of the line. I have and
use all three of the first editions, and can highly recommend any one of them.
Superb optics and construction.

Also, the Kiron 70-210 f/4, is an excellent performer that deliver's
professional caliber results.

If you have anymore questions about the Vivitar or Kiron lenses, or want more
detailed information on a particular lens, please don't hesitate to ask. I also
have the the production code for the Vivitar lens line, which enables me to
identify the manufacturer, and date of manufacture, for any of the Vivitar
lenses. Are you aware of the Viv S-1 28-90 or the Kiron 28-85? As for Kiron
glass, well that's another discussion.........

(Kiron Kid) wrote:

There are numerous (6) Series 1, 70-210 lenses.
snip
Personally, I recommend the second or third edition of the line. I have and
use all three of the first editions, and can highly recommend any one of them.
Superb optics and construction.

I have a page of info on the 70-210 Series 1 lens(es)
http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm
If there's anything you can add I'd be grateful.

--
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com