Playing With Lenses: Another run-of-the-mill Vivitar: Vivitar 80-200 4.5 Macro Focussing Zoom MC

Sunday 6 October 2019

Another run-of-the-mill Vivitar: Vivitar 80-200 4.5 Macro Focussing Zoom MC

Cost: $24.99 (average market price $18.75)

Vivitar had multiple 80-200 f:4.5 lenses, made my various manufacturers. This multi-coated push'n pull lens was made by Kobori, as show in the serial number (all Kobori lenses released by Vivitar started their license number by 77). Kobori was not known as a great lens creator, with mostly average but steady quality.

I don't think this to be a bad lens. It is capable of shooting nice pictures, as sharpness is just OK, but color rendition is pretty good and little color aberration. It handles nicely with a smooth focus and zoom ring, and an aperture ring with a nice "click" to it. The build is solid, even after all these years.

Quality of the coating is reasonable but not as good as some of the brand lenses of this era.

I was however not able to use the Macro settings. Either it was stuck, or I just could not figure it out... So not testing of the Macro, but I have seen enough pictures online to understand it performs fairly well.

So, it's nothing special, just a nice zoom lens with the limitations of that era. But if you need that range, and want to spend little money, go ahead. It's worth the $20.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 80-200mm
Maximum Aperture: F4.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Mount: MD
Optics: 12 elements in 9 groups
Blades: 6
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 150cm (40cm in macro mode)
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 585g
Length: 130-140mm
Production: ???
Serial Number: 77245948
Made in: Japan

More information on: Vivitar Corporation
More information on: Kobori Manufacturing, Inc

Samples: