Help identify Kiron(Vivitar) 105mm macro.

[richard_liu2]

First of all, I'm in a pretty awkward situation. I'm dealing with a quite

confused seller who I think has this vivitar version of the Kiron through

newspaper. I do know it's a AI version and a macro and somewhat looks like the

Kiron. But as confused as he is, I'm having a difficult time to positively

identify it by phone. One thing I'm trying to figure out is that if the FL

lettering at the front of barrel is in red. I was wondering if anyone can help

provide a picture of the Vivitar 100mm 2.8 or the 105mm 2.5. I know Arnab has

sent his out for CLA.:-(. The real bad thing is I'm moving to a location late

tonight where the hotel doesn't have Internet access. Thanks in advance.

[arnabdas]

Any Vivitar ~100 macro (actually, the 100/2.8 Macro and 105/2.5 Series 1 Macro) that has a serial number starting with 22 is made by Kiron and has 6/6 design.

[arnabdas]

A picture of Vivitar 100/2.8 (alongwith Kiron 105) can be found here

 

http://www.nikon-foto.de/templates/stuff/kiron/kiron_artikel_105_4.jpg

[richard_liu2]

Thanks Arnab. I'm trying to push my luck now. Dealing with someone who doesn't know how to sell is frustrating experience. Sigh.

 

Richard

[arnabdas]

<p><em>Dealing with someone who doesn't know how to sell is

frustrating experience. </em></p>

 

<p>I completely understand. Tell him that he might be having a

very highly sought-after lens and he should pay more attention.

:-)</p>

[richard_liu2]

LOL. After I got mine. Last effort. This is the actual picture in the size I got from him(no kidding). It's a f2.x for sure. What do you think? I may just give up, or take a gamble.

[jerry thirsty]

That certainly doesn't look like the Kiron; here's what my Kiron looks like (the Lester Dine version):

 

http://www.pbase.com/jthirsty/image/62378429/large

 

It has no markings inside the lip of the lens barrel.

[richard_liu2]

No, it's not the Lester Dine version or the Kiron. I suspect it's the Vivitar version.

[14mm 2.8l]

Richard it is neither. I own a couple of these in 2 other brand mounts. Pass on this offer and keep looking.

 

Anyways, everyone I thought the bonus of these 100mm 2.8 kiron made for vivitar and not marked "series 1" and the 105mm f2.5 "Series 1" also made by Kiron, is they were much less expensive than lets say a Nikon 105mm micro nikkor option. These days you'd find maybe a $50 bump for the Nikkor.

 

Between The Nikon Brand and Kiron made cult classic I do know know which is better optically.

 

The wife and I shoot canon fd and pentax and for those two systems these Legandary unbranded "22........." serial numbered Kirons do perform better than either makers' macro glass. I think there was a story in Popular Photography in the late 1970's that confirmed this outcome. Back then these sold for 1/2 of canon or Pentax macros

 

Bottomline, pass of this difficult seller who has the wrong lens you after anyways.

 

Lindy

[arnabdas]

<p><em>"the bonus of these 100mm 2.8 kiron made for vivitar

and not marked "series 1" and the 105mm f2.5

"Series 1" also made by Kiron, is ..."</em></p>

 

<p>A couple more bonus points for a more compact size of the

100/2.8 and also the neat built in collapsible lens hood, I llllove

it. Yeah baby.</p>

[14mm 2.8l]

Indeed Arnab, Well designed with the disappearing hood and light weight and bright and stunningly sharp & always inexpensive, from day one. And Best of All, NO extention tubes necessary!

 

I have the kiron made series one 90-180mm f4.5 flat field macro too. No other photo company ever tried to compete with that Kiron's coveted medical~use macro zoom. Kiron sure made some awsome macro glass for a third party manufacturer, back in late 1970's-early 1980's

 

Lindy

[richard_liu2]

Thanks, Lindy and Arnab. I'm giving up on this stupid seller. BUT, sometimes this is where the good deal comes from.:-) Gotta pack. Time to hit the road. Y'all have a nice weekend.

 

Richard