#Vivitar 70 210 f3.5 series#

The macro performance is outstandingly good if your camera is level, but pointing the camera downwards allows the zoom ring to creep forward. In conclusion then, this is a pretty good вЂoldвЂ™ lens вЂ“ especially if you can get it, as I did, for ВЈ10 (yes ten!) on Ebay. Closest вЂnon-macroвЂ™ focus distance is around 2m/6ft.ДЄnd finally medium to far distance, and a change of subject from my normal test вЂ“ Kingston Lacy House. My only criticism is that the focus mechanism could be more highly geared вЂ“ sometimes it needed lots of focus ring turn to rack focus from infinity to close up вЂ“ around 180 degrees. 1/400th for the 200mm long end of the zoom) and use your best shooting technique to avoid camera shake. ThereвЂ™s no image stabilisation so shutter priority is the best exposure mode вЂ“ set twice the focal length e.g. In use the focus is easy (as with most MF lenses) using focus assist tools of the A7RвЂ™s EVF, though focussing gets more difficult as the focal length increases. ItвЂ™s possibly one of the best finished lenses IвЂ™ve seen. The only major sign of age is that some of the yellow paint has flaked out of the etched вЂmacroвЂ™ focus channel. Not well balanced at all, so support the lens at all times! This is a one touch zoom so pulling the focus ring back zooms in, rotating it focuses it, much faster than a two touch designs if rather under geared on the focus. It feels best to hold the lens rather than the camera when carrying it!

If the build quality is anything to go by this lens is already a star вЂ“ heavy at 967g (2lb 2.2 oz) and built to an extremely high standard of metal construction, it still feels precise, solid and reliable after 40 years, not surprising as this one was made by Kiron. The earlier models were very highly regarded in the film days вЂ“ at least equal to most camera manufacturerвЂ™s equivalents if not superior.

#Vivitar 70 210 f3.5 series#

The history of the Series 1 line is described nicely here вЂ“ suffice to say avoid later models with variable apertures. All shots taken in RAW and converted using DXO Optics 9 an вЂauto levelsвЂ™ in Photoshop. ItвЂ™s very different in terms of size and weight to the small Zuikos tested so far, but it showed some promise on the Canon 60D and I need to at least try to find a decent telephoto option before lashing out lots of cash on a Zeiss/Sony zoom. Continuing this series of mini-reviews of old MF lenses on the superb Sony A7R, this time itвЂ™s a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm constant f3.5 aperture zoom from the 1970вЂ™s.