Creepy stuff: Pentax-A Zoom 1:4 70-200mm

Cost: $29.99 (average market price $35)

This lens was only produced for one year, but re-released as a Takumar-A two years later. So it's not so common to see this lens, but it was targeted to be a budget lens, without the then new SMC coating. It was also re-branded under various other names such as Toyo-A, MC Finex and MC Cosmicar.

It's a well build lens, but the zoom barrel is very loose, resulting in extreme lens creep when pointing down or up. And when I mean extreme, I mean sliding down at full speed of gravity.

That being said, as long as you point forward, it's a pleasure to use, with smooth zooming and aperture and resulting in nice colors and pretty sharp when stepped down a few steps.

The range is not to bad on a full frame camera. 70mm is still useful for most situations, and the 200 will allow you to bring something closer. I was not very impressed with the macro though... but in all fairness, it's not a dedicated macro lens. I would rather avoid to use it as a macro lens.

So not to bad as a lens, and a nice addition to the collection.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 70-93mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: 11 elements, 9 groups
Blades: 8
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 0.7cm
Filter Size: 58mm
Weight: 625g
Length: 150-155mm
Production: 1987
Serial Number: 6745234
Made in: Japan

More information on Pentax

Samples:

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO400 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO160 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/640 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO160 - Handheld

1/80 sec - ISO6400 - Handheld

1/60 sec - ISO6400 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO160 - Handheld

Sources:
http://kmp.pentaxians.eu
http://allphotolenses.com
https://www.pentaxforums.com

O no, not another: Vivitar 80-200mm 1:4.5 Auto Zoom

Cost: $17.99 (average cost:$10)

So yes, a Vivitar tele-zoom again, and also made by Kino Precisions. And yes, it delivers... again a nice lens with high quality pictures.

The lens has a solid build, looks like most tele-zoom of this area, and handles nicely. Smooth clicking aperture ring and a smooth zoom ring. and surprisingly very little lens creep, unless in extremes angles like pointing completely down or up.

Image quality is superb, with brilliant colors, nice sharpness when stopped down a few steps, and a nice ability to isolate any subject. No noticeable color aberration.. not as good as a Series 1 lens, but pretty close. I understand this lens was one of the predecessors of the Series 1 lenses...

Probably a keeper.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 80-200mm
Maximum Aperture: F4.5
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: ? elements - ? groups
Blades: 6 blades
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 200cm
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 797g
Length: 149mm-160mm
Production: around 1978
Serial Number: 22911144
Made in Japan by Kino Precision

More information on: Vivitar Corporation
More info on: Kino Precision Industries Limited

Samples: 

1/1000 sec - ISO160- Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100- Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100- Handheld

1/320 sec - ISO100- Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO100- Handheld

1/640 sec - ISO100- Handheld

1/160 sec - ISO160- Handheld

Just another: Vivvitar 75-205mm 1:3.8 MC Macro Focussing zoom

Cost $29.99 (average cost $49.78)

So, another review of the Vivitar 75-205mm. I reviewed a while ago an earlier, two-touch version of this lens and was truly impressed at the time. Also this time, it's on target. 

And for sure, it's a beast again. Long, solid and heavy in a full metal build. I must say that i really like lenses made by Kiron with their engineering quality. I still have to encounter my first bad or mediocre Kiron made lens. This lens is also regarded as the predecessor of the famous Vivitar Series 1 lenses, so similar quality for a lot less dough.

Again a smooth focus, aperture and focal ring. It makes handling of this lens a pleasure. The lens is heavy so a solid grip is advised when not using a tripod. For sure not a real macro lens, so I did not test to much in that area. Focus in general is easy and smooth, and works well together with the peak focussing feature of my Sony. the push'n pull works very nice, with a demp feel to it and no lens creep (a more expensive premium branded lens I played with today was much worse in this area).

Image quality is good, with good color rendition and a clean sharpness across the focal and aperture range. All-in-all, it was fun and easy to use. This lens will also remain in my collection. It can easily keep up with newer options if you don't mind to shoot manual.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 75-205mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: FD
Optics: 15 elements - 10 groups
Blades: 6 blades
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 1m
Filter Size: 62mm
Weight: 753g
Length: 154mm-168mm

Production: around 1980

Serial Number: 22117447

Made in Japan by Kino Precision

More information on: Vivitar Corporation
More info on: Kino Precision Industries Limited

Samples:

1/2500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/2000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec - ISO100 - Handheld - Cropped

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/640 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/1000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/800 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/200 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/400 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/2500 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000 sec - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:

www.pentaxforums.com