Kiron and other lenses for 35mm

I have a bunch of Nikkormats and some more modern Nikon backs (FE, EL2, FG, etc). I have been trying to look into lenses to use with them that are AI compatible (so I can use them on both the older and the newer backs). I am most interested in "off brand" lenses that are less expensive but still very good. I have read some excellent reviews of the Kiron lenses. Can anyone recommend any other off brand lenses that are considered very high quality? Especially zooms?

Vivitar Series 1, early stuff only. AF is junk, most of the early models are made by Kiron. 70-210 f3.5 is one of the absolute best

I don't know if its made for Nikon (probably is) but I acquired a Tokina AT-X 28-80 (I think quite an early one) as an "extra" on an OM2 I bought. I am really liking this lens as a "walkabout" - the little bit of extra wide angle over a 35 is useful as is the little extra zoom over a 70mm, but best of all its producing crisp images. However, I think its quite a rare lens as I can find almost no information on it - in fact if anyone knows anything about it I'd be pleased to know.

Some of the Tamron SP manual focus lenses were quite good, the SP 70-210 f3.5, 80-200 f2.8, 90 f2.5, 17 f3.5, 28-105 f2.8, etc...

old non-af nikkors are very good inexpensive and plentiful. ithink my youngest nikkor is 40 years old and cost me less than $50. why look elsewhere?

I love the Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm 2.8-3.2 (I believe...) and the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/3.5. Both are outstanding lenses.

The Tokina AT-X is a 28-85. The 28-90 Vivitar Series 1 is an f/2.8-3.5 lens. Both are very good. There were two versions of the Vivitar 70-210/3.5 Series 1. The first has a serial # which starts with 22. The second one has a serial # which starts with 37. I have The first one in Konica AR and Minolta MC mounts and the second one in Minolta MC or MD mount. Most 80-200/4.5 Nikkors you find have loose zooming mechanisms. The newer 80-200/4 Nikkors are usually found in better condition, are decent performers and still reasonable in price.

dynachrome said:

The Tokina AT-X is a 28-85. The 28-90 Vivitar Series 1 is an f/2.8-3.5 lens. Both are very good. There were two versions of the Vivitar 70-210/3.5 Series 1. The first has a serial # which starts with 22. The second one has a serial # which starts with 37.....(snip)

Click to expand...

The 70-210 Vivitar Series 1 lens with the serial number starting with 22 was made by Kiron. I have this lens in Pentax screw mount and Minolta MD mount. Both Are Excellent lenses. The Series 1lenses with serial numbers starting with 37 were made by Tokina. I have some non Series 1 Vivitars that were made by Tokina that are also quite good.

I have used Tamron, Tokina, Sigma, Vivitar, and Soligor lenses on my Nikon cameras. These lenses served a useful purpose in my lens inventory and were less expensive than their name brand counterparts.

Here are four “off-brand” lenses that were capable of image quality that was much higher than I expected from an inexpensive lens:

Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 lens with TX mount
Vivitar 35-85mm Series I AI f/2.8 Zoom
Vivitar 70-210mm Series I AI f/3.5 Zoom (made by Kiron)
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-f/5.6 Zoom auto focus

With the exception of the 35-85mm, I still own and use these “off-brand” lenses.

I have also used the following inexpensive name brand lenses that were capable of image quality that was much higher than expected from an inexpensive lens:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E
Nikkor 75-150mm Series E Zoom f/3.5 AIS manual focus
Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5 to 5.6 G AF VR

I still own and use all of them.

By the way, I also have an excellent performing Kiron 28-70mm f/3.5 to f/4.5 in a Pentax mount.