Kiron and other lenses for 35mm

[newcan1]

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?

 

[j-dogg]

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

 

[mr rusty]

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.

 

[Jeff L]

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...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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?

 

[andrewc]

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.

 

[dynachrome]

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.

 

[Zathras]

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)

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.

 

[narsuitus]

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.