Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 from Kiron with 2x multiplier

2009-09-28
I have several versions of the Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 made by Kiron and I like the two touch zoom the best out the three that I have owned in the past. I sold all but kept the last one in M42 mount in 2 touch zoom design as I like Av mode with M42 lens without the extra step in stop-down metering.
  • Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in K mount -- one touch zoom
  • Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in K mount -- two touch zoom
  • Viviar 70-150mm f/3.8 in M42 mount -- two touch zoom is my current one


It is relatively smaller and should not be considered as a big lens when compared to the DA* zoom or the Vivitar series 1 zoom. It covers a useful range for portrait and candid shots that require a longer reach. Combined with the 2x Kiron multiplier, you have a range of 70-150 in f/3.8 and 140 to 300mm with lost of 2 stops close to f/6.3 to f/7.1. I have not used the multiplier on this lens as I find the focal length 70-150mm really fit my needs as in DA* zoom. It is smaller and lighter than DA* making it an easy candidate to bring along.

I tried it out over the weekend with some candid shots in f/3.8 indoor, results are quite reasonable and when stopped down to f/5.6 and more, the lens is really sharp and the 1:4 close up in the 70mm is quite useful for flowers

1/60 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/50 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/40 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/50 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom

1/50 sec, f/6.3, 70mm, iso 200, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/40 sec, f/8.0, 70mm, iso 200, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/50 sec, f/6.3, 70mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom
1/50 sec, f/6.3, 70mm, iso 400, 0 Ev
photo taken with Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 in 2 touch zoom

Impressions & Notes

  • Lens is relatively small with a good focal range from 70-150mm.
  • With multiplier, it can go to 140 to 300mm
  • Constant aperture in f/3.8 is quite useful
  • Wide open aperture is a touch soft but which lens is NOT at wide aperture. With the candid test shots on my boys, I am very impressed already, more use will tell.
  • Very sharp overall for this lens
  • A great street performer that is not intimidating and heavy to bring as an alternative to bigger lens as in DA* 50-135mm.
  • Close up focus happens in 70mm end and it is roughly 1:4
  • Filter size is 52mm
  • The built in hood is not nice but I find it too small to be reall useful
  • Color tend to have a blue cold tone
  • I like the two touch zoom design, as any focusing will less likely move the zoom position
  • Very nice and decent lens to get on a budget
  • Best strength in this lens is all the sharpness and smooth and quick focusing ring that is good with fast action shot. I would love to get back focus trap, I will experiment on slipping a piece of aluminum foil in between the K-mount and the lens rear to enable focus trap
  • A value and inexpensive lens not to be missed

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2 comments:

Pixelsmithy said...

Thank you for your write-up of this lens. I just sold a Pentax-A 28mm f2.8 in order to get a kit with the Pentax-M 28mm f3.5. (I would love to have the 8 element K version of the 28mm f3.5, but this will make me happy for now).
:)

Anyway, along with the Pentax-M is coming a K1000 with 50mm f2.0 Pentax-M and a Vivitar 70-150mm f3.8, (not sure which version). The owner also mentioned a Vivitar 2x teleconverter, but not sure which model. Was there a Kiron teleconverter made especially for this lens?

Hin Man said...

The Vivitar will have a serial number starting with 22 if it is manufactured by Kiron. The vivitar 2x will also share the serial number of 22 if it is made by Kiron.

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