More GAS ! Vivitar Series 1 28mm f1.9

[John Bragg]

So I had an attack of GAS and ordered a Series 1 Vivitar 28mm f1.9 from a well.known Scottish retailer on the Bay. It is in Nikon F mount and I will most likely use it with my F4 and F5 chiefly, though it would be a good fit with my FM2n. Does anyone here have experience of this model ? I understand that wide open it will be a bit soft, but by f2.8 it should be ok and possibly out perform a nominally F2.8 lens. Its chief use will be documenting family life and for available light interiors.

 

[dynachrome]

I have two of these. One is in Minolta MC mount and the other in M42 mount. It's a very decent lens and better made than the later non-Series 1 28/2 Vivitar models. I wouldn't worry too much about wide open performance. It's not bad. Online reviews of old lenses typically show results with non-film cameras. My fast OEM 28s include Canon 28/2 FD SSC, a 'K' model 28/2 Nikkor and a Konica Hexanon 28/1.8. Asahi did not make a 28 faster than f/3.5 in M42 mount so the Vivitar is handy there. For my Minoltas I have two versions of the Vivitar 28/2 but I prefer using the f/1.9. The one in M42 mount can be adapted to many other mounts so that's nice. Eventually I would like to get a 28/2 Minolta lens. These are expensive. My guess is that few examples were made. Someone who was in the market for a 28/2 OEM lens probably had a Nikon.

 

[xkaes]

I agree with DYNA, it's a great lens, but it's purpose is low light, so perfection wide open is less of an issue. I have the Minolta 28 f2.0 and it's great, but much larger and heavier than it's 28mm f3.5 brother -- which I also have for regular use.