Surf's Up! Vivitar 200mm F3.5 Auto Telephoto

Cost: $19.99 (average market price $30.87)

Let's do another Vivitar. This time a semi-fast F3.5 200mm telephoto lens. There were several models of this lens, made by different manufacturers. Mine, with the prefix of 28, was made by Komine, and supposed to be one of the better ones.

Operation is smooth, with velvet soft focus ring, and soft clickable aperture ring. And looks nice on top! Although not a Series 1 lens, it's a well build lens. A little on the heavy side, but solid metal build with build-in hood. You can drop this thing, and it would likely damage the pavement and not the lens.

Picture quality is fairly excellent. A little color fringe on the sides, but sharp overall (a little less wide open), no vignetting and nice colors without to much editing. Although I have no picture to proof it, the lens seems to create pleasant bokeh. In any way, a pleasure to use this lens. Vivitar knew what they were purchasing...

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 200mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5
Minimum Aperture: F16
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Konica
Optics: 5 elements in 4 groups
Blades: 8
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 180cm
Filter Size: 62mm
Weight: 595g
Length: 130-160mm
Production: 1976 - 1980
Serial Number: 28415505
Made in: Japan

More information on: Vivitar Corporation
More information on: Komine

Samples

1/200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/125 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1600 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:
Pentax Forums
flikr.com