Sometimes I don't get ebay ;) ???

well at least not the prices on there.

I follwed two Vivitar Serie 1 lenses - 70-210 mm.

One 2nd edition and one 4th edition.

I searched the web prior to the listings and found that the 1st - 3rd editions were the ones to get.

The 4th edition went for 101£
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&am...

The 2nd edition went for 11.50£
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&am...

Amazing.

There is a 3rd edition going in states

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170207654332&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=230237465649&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

you make the mistake of assuming that all ebay users have properly researched their purchases.

This is not a valid assumption

There seem to be a number of factors at work on Ebay at the moment:

1: A lot of people bought K100D's because they could be used with older K mount glass. These people buy almost exclusively A series and later glass because it's easier to use. The finish prices of A series and later lenses at least doubled when the K100/K10 came out.

2: A lot of people have discovered Ebay in the relatively recent past. Those people come looking for a bargain and they expect to find one. Especially in the field of 2nd hand photographic equipment, people don't necessarily have the information to know what a sensible price is. They tend to assume that if it's on Ebay, it's cheap, when in fact all it takes is 2 people who "must have that lens at any price" and it can quickly become very expensive.

Version 3 is the one to have if you have a K10D or newer . . .

I had a Kiron made Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm lens but I was a little disappointed with the colours it produced when compared to those from a SMCP-F 70-210. I sold it.

I agree - version 3 is the one.

I did extensive research of this lens and found a few good sites about Vivitar. The prices above just suprised me. My research told me that the verison 4 was the poorest preformer of them all - still it went for 101 while a serie 2 went for 11.

I was quite stunned

While on the subject could anyone tell me if this Vivitar is any good?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270227381720

I can have it for around £35 delivered .. worth buying to play with while learning to use the camera or not?

You are a brave man to publish an Ebay auction that you are watching.

This looks to me like the variable aperture 2.8-3.5 lens, not 2.8 as the lister states - but I could be wrong.

He also doesn't say whether it is a K or a Ka lens. I should seek clarification on both points.

But if it is one of the original Series 1 Vivitars, then it should be pretty good. However, probably not better, or significantly better, than the new DA 50-135, or any other decent modern lens.

Zoom lens design has improved a lot over recent years, and the best lenses of yesteryear are no more than good today.

My advice: French reds; New World whites. Old primes; new zooms.

G

PS: But new primes if you are not on a budget.

I am on a budget until I decide if this will be a serious hobby or a passing fancy so until then I really want to keep my spending down
o if I can clarify those 2 points (or even if not) is it worth the £35 delivered to Spain I can get it for now considering the price of a DA 50-135?

Thanks for the info btw.

I've never used the lens, but at the price it's not a catastrophe if it's no good. And with luck it should be quite nice.

G

Thanks .. hopefully it should be ok.
Cancelled my bid and used buy it now.