Does my Vivitar MC 80-200 4.5 macro have good glass??

[chip j]

Bought it by mistake, thinking it was a series 1. It has such very low distortion I'd like to keep it. I can't try it out right now because my film dev & darkroom have been shut down for health reasons. It's Nikon ais, serial #42033890, 55mm filter. Thanks for any help.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have the lens in Miranda mount, along with a Soligor mount 90 to 230 4.5, both are good performers for the day. I dont know who made the Soligor, but the Vivitar has better build quality, at F 11 sharp corner to corner, not as sharp as a prime, but useful.

 

[chip j]

I discovered that it was made by Bauer. Does that ring a bell, anyone??

 

[Paul Howell]

There are a couple of lists on the internet that links serial numbers to various manufacturers, most seem to agree that the list makes sense as Pounder and Best needed to way to track inventory, but no ones knows for sure. So Bauer seems to be as good as a guess as any. If you like the lens then keep it and enjoy it. If it does meet your needs look a early Series 1 or Soligor CD Zoom.