Kiron and Komine lenses
Posted 12/02/2010 - 10:52
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I've had a small number of Vivitar-branded Komine lenses (serial numbers beginning with 28 ), they were all pretty good, especially considering the low prices. I sold my Viv Komine 200mm f3.5 a few months ago, mainly because it was all metal and quite heavy, but recently I've been wishing I hadn't.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27, Macbook Pro 17, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr Fluidr PPG Street Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27, Macbook Pro 17, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr Fluidr PPG Street Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 12/02/2010 - 11:50
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The Vivitar/Komine 28mm f/2.8 close focus is a rather nice lens too. Have a search for Malo's photos with this lens (if you can get the forum search to work ).
K.
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Posted 12/02/2010 - 12:03
Link
I actually just picked up one of those Kris! It's been on my ebay back-burner list ever since Malo's flower pic. Got it for £12 and £7 postage which I thought was not too bad! Only a few test shots so far, but it seems pretty good.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27, Macbook Pro 17, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr Fluidr PPG Street Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27, Macbook Pro 17, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr Fluidr PPG Street Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 12/02/2010 - 12:04
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the Kiron/Vivitar Series 1/Lester A Dine 105mm F2.8 macro is stunning and easily deserves it's reputation. I don't know if it's genuinely better than the DFA 100 Macro, but I'd be surprised and impressed if it's noticably worse.
you don't have to be mad to post here
but it does help
but it does help
Posted 12/02/2010 - 12:11
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I bought mine from Jack on the basis of that thread! Now the snowdrops are out I am hoping to use it out in the woods, so to speak.
The 105mm sounds interesting. I could do with a longer macro lens and I cannot afford the D-FA at the moment. I was planning to try extention tubes on my M 100mm f/2.8.
Best wishes, Kris.
The 105mm sounds interesting. I could do with a longer macro lens and I cannot afford the D-FA at the moment. I was planning to try extention tubes on my M 100mm f/2.8.
Best wishes, Kris.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Posted 12/02/2010 - 12:21
Link
some say the Kiron 105 is the best macro ever made by anyone. I'm not sure that's true, but it's certainly a cracking lens. My Dad has one in less than mint condition which still makes my Tamron SP90mm (itself a fine lens) look like a beer bottle in comparison.
you don't have to be mad to post here
but it does help
but it does help
Posted 12/02/2010 - 15:43
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Much of this reputation is based on the era of film, so digital might be a different things altogether.
Best regards, John
Posted 12/02/2010 - 17:17
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Most of my macro shots on the PPG were taken with a Vivitar (Kiron) A mount 100mm macro lens (basically the 105mm series one before they went all fancy). I swapped it for a D-FA 100mm and have since had only one macro accepted taken with the Pentax lens. I still kick myself everytime I get the D-FA lens out of the bag. As far as I am concerned its one of the best macro lenses out there (not tried the 180mm Pentax and Voigtlander 125mm so cant comment on those). I am currently looking for a replacement.
Posted 13/02/2010 - 03:39
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I've got the Panagor 90mm f2.8 1:1 Macro which was Kino's European brand name and I must say it's easily the best macro I've used a true hidden gem, unfortunately they don't seem to turn up for sale very often. I believe it was also marketed as a Elicar 90mm and Lister Dine 90mm. Superb lens which is pin sharp and reproduces lovely colours
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare. W.H Davies
We have no time to stand and stare. W.H Davies
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828 posts
17 years
Oldham,
Lancashire,UK
Is this reputation justified? What's the Pentax user's take on this? Is it worth seeking out Kiron and Komine lenses on Fleabay for use with my K200D?
Andrew