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From: michaelk@azure.UUCP (Michael Kersenbrock)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Re: good 70-210 zoom?
Message-ID: <123@azure.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Nov-84 14:23:46 EST
Article-I.D.: azure.123
Posted: Mon Nov 26 14:23:46 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Nov-84 03:17:47 EST
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Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
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> 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

There is currently a THIRD incarnation of the Vivitar Series 1 20-210
lens that came out this summer (I've submitted prevously about this) that was
designed in the U.S. , and mfg'd in Japan.  You can tell it from the
older two versions because it is f2.8 and a little shorter/smaller than
the two previous versions (although still a bit heavy).  This new
lens macros to 1:2.5 or so. (I have this lens in the KA mount for my
Pentax Super-program.)

Mike Kersenbrock
Tektronix Microcomputer Development Products
Aloha, Oregon