Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm lens for Nikon! Best cheap fast zoom lens for Nikon?

This video is a review of the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4.0 lens for Nikon F-mount cameras. This is the 3rd generation of this lens and was made by Komine for Vivitar. This lens was very expensive in its day and is very inexpensive today. It covers a full-frame since it was made for film and it's one of the least costly ways to keep a "fast" zoom lens. Technically this lens was considered a "varifocal" lens but that makes no real difference to the end user except that it was supposed to be better than a zoom lens. This lens is manual focus using a push pull method. Its total length is 155mm and doesn't change at different focal lengths. It's a fairly heavy lens at 859 grams, however it's a solid piece of nice glass!! Most of the time I only switch to this lens when I want to longer focal lengths or the faster aperture, so most of my example photos are at wider apertures, but I give examples at more narrow ones as well. I'm sure there are some things I missed, but I'm a practical person and want to convey the most important points and how they affect you as a photographer. There are some really good resources online about these lenses and make sure you correctly identify a lens you are consider purchasing as there are quite a few lenses branded as Vivitar Series 1 and many of them are not as good as this one (from what I've read). There is a really good webpage to help aid in identification and they provide some more in-depth info at www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm .

[@ldstirling]

I bought the 2nd version of the Vivitar 70-210mm Series 1 lens, made by Tokina. Mine is the f/3.5 max aperture version across the whole zoom range. It was a great bargain, and cost me $15 off Ebay. My copy is Canon FD mount. Great lens on film and adapted to mirrorless digital.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

That's awesome man! I've only had my hands on the one I ended up with, but can't see ever selling it for what I would get for it! $15 is a steal and FD mount is probably super useful! Just got a mirrorless camera partially so I can play around with adapting lenses... Looking forward to opening the door to a few other lens mounts!!! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@drae851]

I received one of these from a friend and almost went to sell it on ebay......after watching this it's keeper. Thanks!

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Hey, glad I could help!! I've kept mine a long time and even through multiple purges. It's especially good using more narrow apertures on a tripod!! I would say that you'd have to have a pretty awesome macro lens and a really good telephoto before you could replicate what this thing can do for about $100 or free or whatever!! Have a good X-mas!!!

[@worldadventuretravel]

I just grabbed the f/2.8-4 AF version of this lens on eBay so I can compare it to the vintage Canon EF 70-210mm AF f/3.5-4.5, which I found for less than $100 used. So far that lens is beautiful and sturdily made. The sharpness and color rendering are very nice. My only complaint is there is no barrel lock and the barrel slides out to 200mm like crazy every time you tilt your camera down. For anyone looking more for the characteristic Canon sharpness and less of a vintage look, you can get that 70-210mm lens in a similar aperture and price range without breaking your budget. ;)

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

The barrel on mine stays put pretty well, I think it depends on how it was used and stored over the many years since it was made. I got mine really cheap but would have to look at other options if i paid what I've been seeing online. I still like this lens especially stopped down, but need lots of light for that! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@lgyqchen5074]

This is a really great lens for multiple usage in photographying. I have a copy in Pentax k mount and can work on Canon eos dslr, or any brand of mirrorless digital cameras with a proper adapter. Love it.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Thanks for your comment as some people need more opinions before they'll consider such a lens at such a cheap price... They really are pretty great... Don't love the push pull thing when using a digital body, but images have a real interesting look!! Take care bud!

[@tonypmedia]

I literally shot some project sessions with my girlfriend using this one earlier. I shot warmer and low key. MAN let me say this lens is by far more than capable of taking any shot you throw at it. This bad boy has a focus ring that turns forever LOL. I like my focus a little lose too because I can fine tune and lock in that focal plain quick.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Yes, it really is a great lens. I also prefer the long throw manual focus lenses as well. I should be buying more Nikon AI lenses in that regard. Glad you're enjoying the lens!

[@GONZOFAM7]

Nice video Brett. I like that you included use cases with samples. Like you guys I live overseas. No thrift stores. Ebay has them for $110-$120 plus shipping. I use a Pentax MX and adapt those lenses to Fujifilm. So I get double use out of these lenses. I'd use it for landscape. Do you think it's worth that price?

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Thanks so much for the nice comment. I totally understand that the markets in many countries are much different than the US (for example). There are often less options and things are more expensive. If your situation is anything like Peru you are comparing pretty much against the cheap zoom lenses for about $2-300 and the good name brand f2.8 lenses for the neighborhood of $600-1000 used. I would say that it’s a very good option that won’t depreciate in value if you take care of it. I mostly know Nikon, but the cheap 70-300 zooms are very slow and I don’t always like the render versus this lens. The macro mode is a nice added plus and I like the more vintage feel that I notice in the images. It’s hard for me to give a straight answer given your situation, but I think it’s worth the price. A lot depends on what you have already, what your other options are, and what kind of shooting you like to do. I would say that if you’re like me, I’ll be using this lens until I can afford some expensive fast lens with autofocus and all and I’ll probably re-assess it afterwards. Most likely they’ll be so different that I will keep it. Hope this helps!

[@ardscorner]

These are great lenses. I have the MK3 2.8 which was converted to Canon mount by Eddie Houston. His conversion gives you focus points and although manual you do get confirmation from the camera. The beauty of having the focus points is it allowed me to calibrate the lens as it was front focusing. Its a lens you need to spend time with and use but it is brutually sharp if you are taking subjects where you have the time. Like you I bought it to see if the range was something I needed.....but to be honest it delivers such good photos I dont think I would upgrade. Yes autofocus and image stabilisation would be nice but not essential. Thanks for making the video....lenses like these are good.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

It's an amazing lens at such a good price.. The only caveat to me is that I needed plenty of available light to shoot fast enough speeds and still try to get a more narrow aperture... If you can meet that, then the images are fantastic.. I specifically love it for still life flash/studio lighting type stuff as you can control all the variables!! Great stuff and thanks for your insight!! Rock on man!

[@ardscorner]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography Yes you do need good lighting for it to really shine. It also works really well when using it for video. My only issue I do have is the push/pull zoom as it can create a belliws effect and bring dust in.

[@jakekaywell5972]

Hey there! I really appreciate this in-depth review of what I consider to be a criminally-underrated lens. I'm thinking of getting one to round out my lens kit (Helios 44-2 and an Industar 50) as a solid telephoto for my Zenit E as a budding photographer. Would a variant of this be able to fit the M42 mount it has?

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Hey Jake, thanks for the kind comments but I am not very knowledgeable about what you're working with here... Searching Ebay, it shows that Vivitar did make some of these lenses in M42 mount... On top of that I'm guessing you could probably adapt lenses meant for some of the other popular mounts at the time... I've never really ventured too far from the Nikon F and Olympus OM camera systems.. Vivitar actually made quite a few lenses in their Series One lineup and the quality varies quite a bit!! Good thing is that if you search one out, you should be able to sell it on without losing money, so acquire one at a low cost and try it out for yourself... Thats why my lens reviews always center around the images one can expect from a lens as everyone has a different taste when it comes to such things... Hope it helps and feel free if you get any questions I might be able to help with...

[@randallstewart175]

If you look long enough on line, you are likely to find this lens in M42 screw mount. The problem is that by the time these lenses came along, the M42 mount had been largely abandoned in new cameras, but Vivitar issued the lens in as many mounts as they thought might sell. Also, these zooms were huge sellers. There must be many thousands out there.

[@donaldklopper]

Yes please! I'll keep my eye open for one. 70mm at f/2. 8 will be great for many uses, with the option of the extended range. Whats their minimums focus distance for macro?

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Donald, the lens is very well worth what you pay to get one!! The minimum focusing distance is about 8cm... It's quite close and the reproduction rate shows that... Cool thing is this version doesn't have any special button or switch to put it into macro mode.. It moves seamlessly from normal into macro (which makes sense to me without autofocus)... I guess the focus ring moves backwards from most Nikon lenses and apparently this confuses the focus confirmation system in the viewfinder, but I hardly use it and only look for the center dot.. It might be my dyslexia, but I can adjust to such things very easy in my brain, so.... Even as you move toward the long end of the lens at f4, its quite fast and useful as the cheap Nikons are already at f5.6 or so by then (if my memory serves correctly)... Take care bud!!

[@donaldklopper]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography oh my I'll have to start searching... It's tough to find them here's in South Africa...

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@donaldklopper Yes man, I know the feeling... I've been living in Peru for a few years and its like that here... Almost impossible... We don't have much access to mail-order either, how about you??? It's hard coming from the US where you can order anything you can't find locally!! Guess I'm just spoiled... Or I was!?!

[@donaldklopper]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography yeah the postal system isn't great here, and couriers are crazy expensive but more reliable .. And that was before lockdown. But if I'm patient and I know what to look for, I might get lucky

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@donaldklopper I would say with that level of difficulty, to research the different generations a little bit. From my recollection, this third generation may be the best, but make sure its the one you want beforehand. Hate to get the wrong one or something wrong with it, etc. Our mail system is notorious for things "disappearing" or just taking a long time. I had a small envelope take over 3 months from the us... I try to order stuff the general public would not care to steal.

[@theblackmanarmedwithacamera]

I AM THE 666TH SUB! GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Awesome, lol!! Thanks for watching and the sub!! Hope it helps!!!

[@pabloherman8836]

I have this, gen 3. Have not shot with it much. A bit disappointed by how soft it is, even for a vintage lens. I wonder if there is something wrong with it, but don’t feel like buying another one to compare against.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Hey bud, I have heard that there is a huge variation between generations, but its been a while and I forget the ino now. I really like mine especially when stopped down... Needs alot of light, but... Mine is very sharp when shot in a certain way! There's plenty of other lenses to try if you don't like this one.

[@Narsuitus]

I have the Kiron-made Vivitar 70-210mm Series I AI f/3.5 Nikon F mount zoom (67mm filter). I think it is the 1st generation.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Nice, how do you like it and do the images have a similar feel to the ones I shared or is there a major difference that you noticed?? Thanks for watching!

[@Narsuitus]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography I stopped using my manual focus Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/3.5 zoom lens (67mm filter) when I replaced it with an auto focus Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 D AF-S zoom lens (77mm filter). Regretfully, the auto focus motor in my Nikon zoom broke and I discovered that the manual focus feature of the Nikon zoom would not work when the auto focus motor was broken. Instead of fixing the Nikon zoom, I decided to start using my old Vivitar zoom once again. The image quality of my Vivitar is very similar to the images you shared in your video. Also, there is no significant difference in image quality between my $70 Vivitar zoom and my $1315 Nikon zoom.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@Narsuitus Thanks for the comment as I've always wondered about the differences between the different versions and its a good comment about the comparison with the Nikon versions. If one isn't married to auto focus, something like this could be a great cheap alternative. I've still got and use mine!! Thanks bud!

[@sasistudio1446]

Thank you for prices sir

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Did I give prices? Just throwing a ballpark figure since its always a crapshoot with these... Most people probably get them as part of a kit with a camera like I did... I basically paid about $25 for mine a bunch of years ago... Rate of inflation doubled over very short time, doubt its all that helpful!!

[@theothuna9192]

Did you edit the pictures after the shoot?

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Well, I always shoot in RAW, so any photo has to be edited just to get it back close to the actual scene. The only exception is when I gave technical info like the light falloff examples, etc... Hope it helps!!!

[@kevinsdaddy49]

Have a question for you I just bought the vivitar 210 mm Max series 1 macro lens and looking for an adapter that I could use for a Canon rebel EOS t6 if you could help me out I would really appreciate it thank you so much

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Kevin, do you have a link to this lens as I’m not sure which one you have? The lens in this video was available in about four or five different mounts. Do you know the mount it was designed for? Email me at [e-mail] to make it easier! Pics or a link would be best! I’ll try to help.

[@kevinsdaddy49]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography I'm not quite sure what camera it was mounted to I bought it from a private seller I have a EOS t6 rebel person used the lens from 1970 to 1990 so I'm not exactly sure I'm waiting for a reply from him to see if I can get a definitive answer about which camera he had that mounted to

[@kevinsdaddy49]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography hello again the lens was on a 102 minolta would that help me in any way to find the right adapter for me on my t6 canon eos.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@kevinsdaddy49 Sorry Kevin, I have been in international flights without service since we talked. I don’t know much about old Minolta mounts. From a couple web searches it sounds like they called that Minolta mount the T-mount. Your Canon is called EF mount. So the adapter you’re looking for if it’s available would be Minolta T to Canon EF. You could just search eBay or amazon for such an adapter, but you’re probably better off reaching out to people who know and use the T-mount lenses. If you can’t find anyone start some web searches like “adapting t-mount lenses” and start researching a bit. That’s the best I can do at the moment as I’m still in airports! Hope it helps!

[@kevinsdaddy49]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography hello again would it be easier to send you a picture of the lens to see if that could help determine what adapter I would need for my t6 canon I could send it to you in a email if ya want or what would you think is easiest for you thank you for all your help with this.

[@felipeig6915]

you can take a photo in 210mm f/2.8 ?

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

No the minimum aperture scales based on focal length on this lens.. 2.8 is only at the widest focal lengths... Its a good lens for the price, but not quite THAT good. lol... Have a good one!

[@randallstewart175]

With the original version of this lens, Vivitar almost by itself legitimized zoom lenses and started the trend away from prime lenses with consumer users. Over the years before Vivitar bankrupted, there were at least four models of the lens from two manufacturers. (Vivitar didn't make anything. It was a design and marketing company.) Pretty sure this is the last version. In terms of performance, they are okay today, but they pre-date technological advances like ED glass and advanced lens coatings, so even a fairly cheap consumer lens from a major maker like Nikon is likely to perform noticeably better. In its day, Vivitar did create quite a number of highly advanced lenses, flash units, and other photo equipment, really cutting edge stuff for its time

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

It's been a while since I made this video or researched the different lenses, but as I said in the video, I think mine is the Komine version... I think that makes it second or third version, but don't quote me on that... You're right that Vivitar led the way... If someone needs a long fast lens at a cheap price, I don't think you can do much better, and the decent macro setting especially stopped down really is pretty

[@randallstewart175]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography It looks like the 3rd version was by Komine and the 4th version by Cosina. Both were variable aperture, 2.8 - 4.0. If I ever knew how to sort them out, I forgot long ago. In terms of performance, I doubt it makes a bit of difference.

[@melvinch]

The 450mm F4.5 mirror lens was awesome.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@melvinch I'll have to look into that... Sounds pretty cool!!

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

Buying a cheap 3rd party lens for your DSLR is like buying a Ferrari and running it on regular gas.. Remember a chain is ONLY as strong as the "Weakest link" To get the BEST out of your DSLR you can't "Cheap out" on the lens.... AND YOU KNOW THIS IS RIGHT Brett! Many new photographers make the MISTAKE of blowing all the budget on the top-spec camera body and then they "Cheap out" on the lens. REMEMBER ..A good camera lens is ALWAYS going to be a good camera lens ... A camera body will go out of date in time. EDIT... If you MUST buy a 3rd party lens then Sigma lens could be a choice.. But it is ALWAYS best if you buy Nikon lens for your Nikon .. Yes I know some of the budget Nikon lens are rubbish such as the Kit 18-105mm lens.. But the high end Nikon glass is the best out there. And if you look after it..It will last you DECADES. Don't "Cheap out" on you lens guys... You are NOT doing your DSLR justice. 35 Years as a photographer ..You do learn a thing or two along the way.... DO NOT "CHEAP OUT" ON YOUR LENS.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Are you saying that you can't get good results from this interesting old lens for a low price? For alot of people $100 for this fast full frame lens can hold them over until they can spend ten times that for the newer versions... Why the caps lock on so much of what you type??? I have had very few third party lenses during my time, but I've never come across any reason to discount them... I look at my kit and count up a small fortune worth of gear, and I know lots of people out there could likely never afford to buy all of that and I would like to help bridge that gap for them... Thanks for checking out the video and giving me another chance! To anyone reading this, I do agree with this commenters sentiment here and I have many lenses that I've owned for more than 10 years already...

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography Some of my lens are also 10 Years old + A good quality lens is a good investment and will last for decades.. I have also spent a vast fortune of photography equipment though the Years ..But I don't drink..I don't smoke and I don't do drugs.. I love my photography ..It is such a "Switch off" I am not a big fan of cheap glass for my camera's... You are not doing the camera justice. Some of my lens cost me over £1500 GBP but I know they will last me decades ... I look forward to watching the rest of your video's. Thank you

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206 The lens in this video is probably from the mid eighties and I've owned more than a couple at least thirty or fourty years old.. Definitely true that they can last a lifetime... The lens we are talking about here cost a fortune back in its day, but lucky for the ones who want to get one today, you can pick them up for a song...

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

@@BrettBodkinsPhotography Got to get out today and do some photos ... 2020 has been a disaster for humanity with COVID-19 .. I was tempted to go "Full frame" you can pick up the Nikon D610 for cheap ..But I do not have any FX lens .. So I am stuck with the "Crop frame" sensor ... The DX lens will of course still work with a full frame body ... But there will be a downside (As you know) You got the D500 ... Ideal for sports shoots at 10 FPS Superb choice they retail at around £1400 here in the UK .. You should get many Years out of it. Going to catch up on your other videos... Kind regards

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

@@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206 I have had crop and full frame lenses for the whole time I've been shooting digital as I began shooting during the end of the film era. The only time that I got the full benefit of the full frame lenses is when I'd shoot 35mm, so I knew what I'd gain or not by going full frame digital... I did exactly as you describe by adding a d800 to my collection about a year and a half ago. I got it for just about $550 and its an excellent camera for the price.. I highly recommend it. It serves as a perfect complement to the d500 and I choose depending on what kind of shooting I will be doing.. I have been living in my wife's mother country of Peru and its beautiful here, but we had a daughter nearly two years ago and I'm right now stay at home dad and helping with our business from time to time. We are working to develop a property in our spare time and its hard for me to go out shooting. I did take a four day motorcycle trip a few months ago and got a few shots, but the area I live in is sort of uninspiring and hostile for the type of shooting that I like to do. Really considering taking another trip again soon, but its quite a risky endeavor on its own.. Stay safe, I had covid early on, am still fairly young, but it wasn't all that fun... Thanks for watching and have a good one!

[@melvinch]

I also suggest the Kiron 70-210mm F4 with focus-lock and zoom-lock. It has the highest MTF score in the center region.

[@BrettBodkinsPhotography]

Right on man... I'm definitely into cheap lenses that can perform like that... Sounds pretty cool!! My favorite way to use this lens is at narrow apertures and on a really sturdy tripod, but its pretty unwieldy... Have a good one man!!