Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxk.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: good 70-210 zoom?
Message-ID: <802@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Nov-84 13:41:02 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.802
Posted: Mon Nov 19 13:41:02 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Nov-84 00:13:34 EST
References: <1433@ihuxl.UUCP> <4628@fortune.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 27

When talking about the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 zoom, it is important
to realize that there have been 2 (possibly more?) completely different
versions of this lens.  The original 70-210 Series one was quite heavy,
used a larger than usual filter (62 mm, I think), and was f3.8.  It also
had a macro capability (non-continuos, controlled by a "ring") that
went all the way down to almost half-size, 1:2.2., and allowed focusing
to a few inches (3", I believe).  I have this lens, and have been pretty
happy with it, although it is clearly not as sharp as as the f1.7
50 mm "normal" lens.  Around two years ago, Vivitar came out with a
new design for the 70-210 Series 1 zoom.  This new design is/was built
under spec. by Tokina, and is virtually identical to the Tokina 70-210
zoom of the same time.  It is f3.5 (oops, as I now remember, the old 
zoom described above was also f3.5, not f3.8), had "macro" down to 
1:4 (quarter-size), but with continuos focusing.  Close focusing
was now limited to about 4 feet or so.  This new design was smaller,
much lighter, and I believe somewhat sharper.  The trade-off was
less real macro capability, at least for extreme close-up work.  I had the
choice of both, and picked the older design, primarily because I wanted
the ability to focus to 3", and get all the way down to half-size.  Occasionally
I regret my choice, especially when I'm lugging around the extra weight of
the older design.   In summary, both designs seemed pretty nice, with
good solid feel, smooth one-touch operation (without slipping when the lens
is pointed up), and non-rotation of the filter during zooming (so polarizers
and other position-sensitive filters don't have to be rotated after zooming).

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611