Vivitar Series 1 lenses and one with sticky aperature

I just got a lens off Ebay. Yes it seems this is another winner sale here.
Anyway the lens is a 28-90 Vivitar Series 1 F2.8 and the aperature is
sticking. Sometimes it will close down, sometimes not. When it goes from
close to open it has a slow comeback almost as if its spring action is slow.
I enquired on this at a store and they said what it may need is a service to
clean and relube the lens which costs $75 Canadian. Is this worth it? I've
already made the investment in the lens and returning it may not be an
option. I paid $75 US for the lens. The camera store says I got a good deal
and its a good lens, so he thinks its worth it. Could this be all it is or
something more with the Vivitars Im unaware of? Im currently trying to
contact the seller to resolve this issue.
I also got a Vivitar 70-210 Series 1 lens from a different person. That one
is in good shape. No probs. What Im wondering since both lenses have focal
length between 70-90mm, which lens should I use over the other for this
focal range? The tele or the wider angle one? By the way both of these are
for Canon FD mounts. Both are the 67mm filter size version.

PS I must add that the weight of both the T-90 tank and the 2 Vivitar lenses
on this camera- man I need muscles now to hold this thing all day. Looks
like the Rebel G will get more use now.

 

Since the lens is a Canon FD, it means that it was made in the early-mid
'80s, so it was made for Vivitar by Kiron. Kiron was noted for their
excelent optics, the quality of which far exceeded their business sense.

I would return the lens on pricipal, whomever sold it to you ripped you
off. If that's not possible or is not an issue, then I would get it
fixed. I would not have bought it for $75 US, knowing I'd have to put
$75 Canadian into it to use it, but given the choice of paying the
$75 Canadian or tossing it, I'd fix it.

I don't think anyone can say. It's more a question of which lens feels
easier to use and which one YOU produce better pictures with. I'd rather
carry the 28-90 and leave the 70-210 in the camera bag or at home, but
that's personal preference.

Just a reminder, Canon dropped the FD mount around 1985. You can't say
for sure, as no one really knows when they stopped making cameras and
lenses that used it and sold off old stock while they retooled for the
EOS system. Therefore it is highly unlikley you will find anything made
for it (with the exception of a small run of cameras sold in Asia) made
by anyone after 1990.

Any camera or lens that old will probably need service now, or if not,
soon and that should be taken into account when you buy things.

Especialy be warry of A-1's who need to have their mirror gears
lubricated, and T-90's whose 10 year lithium batteries are way past due
for replacement.

Geoff.

 

I talked to the seller on this. He will not accept a lens return since the
package has been openned. He said the lens hadnt been used in a year. Ok. He
mentioned it did work fine last time it was used. Ok. We came to an
agreement after I said Id have the lens shipped out for repair and then show
him the invoice, Id have some of my money refunded for the lens. Now the
cost for repair I found out may be more then $75 C. They said ripping these
things apart is more complex then indicated. I'll see what the repair quote
comes to. So much for getting a deal. This is one of the things that should
have been checked before sale however as its easy to check without even
mounting the lens. I also sent out my T-90 with the lens to also get
repaired. It needs some circuit board repair to get the shutter working
again. The shutter is new in the camera, but that repair obviously wasn't
done properly last time. Too bad the warranty ran out. Well its humbling to
know the 70-210 lens I also got which I overpaid for by double, works fine.
So at least thats one good thing. Good thing I also have an AE-1 to use
while my T-90 gets fixed. Also buying a Rebel G body to play with and start
in the AF world. Man all this gets so expensive. Gotta love this hobby.

 

That's a good indication to me that it doesn't work. Like untested with
surplus electronics.

I would wait until he gets the bill and see what he does. If he dosen't pay
negative feedback him!! Don't do it now, as it may just get him upset and
he won't pay.

Does it display DEAD in the viewfinder. If so, it's not their fault, sort of.
That's the 10 year lithium battery going. IMHO if they replaced the shutter
on a T-90, they should have replaced the battery, or given you the option.
(It would have been about $10 more.)

Too bad you're in Canada. I have an EOS Rebel 2000 I'd love to get rid of.

Geoff.

 

You may be right. Will have to see.

Already there. I planned on holding off on feedback till this issue is
resolved.

No it doesn't. Its fine. The LCD also is fine. The shutter was replaced in
'99 when they still had shutters to put in, and 2 rolls went through it
since.

Curious. What you asking for the body? I have a buddy in Seattle.

 

Its up to you, but if you can't return it, I would definitely FIX the lens.
I got one of the 28-90s last year and couldn't be happier with it. At $50 ca
to have it tweeked your still ahead of the game and will have a great lens
in hand.

kwhiner

 

I just got a lens off Ebay. Yes it seems this is another winner sale here.

Braxus

The Vivitar S-1 28-90, is a very good lens. It is worth the time and money
to have it cleaned. Back in the mid 80's, when your lens was made (by Komine,
for Vivitar) they used animal based lubricants in the lenses. Over time and
heat, they break down, and migrate down onto the aperture blades. Slowing them
down, and eventually they will stick open. The modern day synthetic based
lubricants are much more impervious to temperature extreme's and time. If it is
done correctly, the problem should not reoccur. I, like Kevin, highly recommend
that you have this particular lens fixed. It's a great lens. I've also included
my review of the Vivitar Series 1, 70-210 lenses. Yours is the first edition.

Regarding Viv S-1 glass. There are numerous (6) Series 1, 70-210 lenses.
However, for the sake of discussion, we will deal with the first five. The 4th
& 5th editions are nothing to seriously consider, so we will concentrate on the
first three editions, which are the good one's. The 4th & 5th editions are also
2.8-4 variable aperture model's, but lacking in construction quality (Cosina
built). Due to the fact that the third one is a variable aperture lens, (2.8-4)
it will be somewhat sharper than a fixed aperture lenses. It is much easier to
design and build a quality variable aperture lens.

The first edition was designed by Vivitar (Ellis Betensky had a hand in it)
and built by Kiron. (67mm filter) It is a professional caliber lens, with a 1:2
macro feature built into it. It was the first zoom, designed with the aid of
computers, that truly rivaled the OEM lenses of the time. That was in "76." It
is a very high quality zoom, that will deliver professional quality results.

The second edition (my personal favorite) was built by Tokina, per, Vivitars
specs. It too, is a fixed 3.5 aperture, but smaller, lighter and sharper. (62mm
filter size). I really like it because of the fixed 3.5 aperture which is nice
for focusing in dim light and long range flash work. However, not a true macro,
1:4 life size. However, it deliver's very good results!

The third edition was made by Komine, and like the first two, is very well
built. It is a 2.8-4 variable aperture lens, and the sharpest of the bunch. It
has 1:2.5 life size macro from 100-210mm's, with a working distance of about
two feet. Which can be quite useful. Can you see a discernible difference in
slides taken with either one of them? Probably not! Don't get caught up in
bench tests. Any of the first three editions will give you
professional-publishable images. I really like this lens, and in time may
become my favorite.

Personally, I recommend the second or third edition of the line. I have and
use all three of the first editions, and can highly recommend any one of them.
Superb optics and construction.

Also, the Kiron 70-210 f/4, is an excellent performer that deliver's
professional caliber results.

If you have anymore questions about the Vivitar or Kiron lenses, or want more
detailed information on a particular lens, please don't hesitate to ask. I also
have the the production code for the Vivitar lens line, which enables me to
identify the manufacturer, and date of manufacture, for any of the Vivitar
lenses. Are you aware of the Viv S-1 28-90 or the Kiron 28-85? As for Kiron
glass, well that's another discussion.........

 

I have a page of info on the 70-210 Series 1 lens(es)
http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm
If there's anything you can add I'd be grateful.