Vivitar Series 1 Lens Serial Numbers
Note: A larger version of the above image is available at There are six versions of the manual focus Vivitar Series 1 (VS1) 70-210 zoom lenses, all of which can be distinguished apart from each other visually (and their manufacturers can be identified by using their serial numbers). Interestingly, Vivitar was never actually a lens manufacturer per se - Vivitar contracted with various lens makers to produce lenses to its own specifications, which it then marketed under the Vivitar brand (although the contractors would sometimes end up releasing similar lens designs under their own and/or other brands), and this always-a-lens-specifier-and-never-a-lens-maker characteristic is certainly true for all the VS1 70-210 zooms. The first VS1 70-210 zoom was manufactured by Kino (SN 22nnnnnn), from about 1973 to 1981. This revolutionary lens design (the first successful 'macro zoom' lens ever designed) was an f/3.5 model that likely underwent the greatest number of engineering revisions during its lifetime.
Nov 14, 2015. Versions: The only quick and sure way to distinguish between the versions is to look at the first 2 digits of the serial numbers (see below). The first Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm was introduced in mid 70s and was built by legendary Kiron (serial starts with 22). Unlike the lens I shot my test footage above, 1st. Orders shipped to an Illinois address will be charged IL Sales Tax at 8.25%. No additional shipping charges for most shipments delivered to a U.S. Prototypes lenses generally used the same serial number scheme as production lenses but will have very low numbers in the portion of the number that reflects the manufacturing sequence. In many cases prototype lenses never made it to production; for example the Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8.
The first VS1 lens design that Vivitar released, it probably did more than any other VS1 product to make the Series 1 lenses a highly respected line of lenses for quite some time in the latter 20th Century. For Pentax users, this version was available at first only in M42 screwmount trim, but a K-mount fitting was added to the available mounts when Pentax came out with K-mount bodies and lenses in 1975. The second VS1 70-210 zoom was manufactured by Tokina (SN 37nnnnnn), from about 1981 to 1983. Like the first version, this was also an f/3.5 design, although it was a more compact lens overall. At 1:4 maximum magnification, it did not focus quite as closely as the first version, but it did not require any special user actions to enter 'macro' mode - this version represented a total redesign of the 70-210/3.5 specification, and Vivitar marketed it with the slogan, 'Think of it as 141 of the finest lenses that you can buy'.
This second version was available for Pentaxers in both M42 and K-mount trim (and Tokina did also release its own RMC Tokina version of this lens). The third VS1 70-210 zoom was manufactured by Komine (SN 28nnnnnn), from about 1984 to 1986.
Unlike the first two versions, which featured a constant f/3.5 aperture throughout the zoom range, this version was the first in the series to feature a fast-to-slow aperture transition, with f/2.8 at the 70mm end and f/4 at 210mm. Of interest to Pentax shooters (then as well as now), when Pentax released the first Ka bodies (and lenses), Vivitar also switched over to Ka functionality for this design as well, so that this version can be found with either K-mount or Ka-mount functionality. Modern Photography magazine lens tests showed this version to be a bit sharper than the earlier versions (although Modern Photo never tested the later versions for a more complete comparison). The fourth, fifth, and sixth 70-210 zooms were manufactured by Cosina (SN 09nnnnnn). Posts: 1,266 Lens Review Date: May 31, 2017 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: None indicated Rating: N/A Pros: n/a Cons: n/a PLEASE POST NO FURTHER REVIEWS ON THIS LEGACY PAGE, AND INSTEAD POST ANY NEW REVIEW OF A SPECIFIC VERSION ON ITS OWN RELEVANT REVIEW PAGE - Please use these specific links to add any new review for any of the manual focus Vivitar Series 1 (VS1) 70-210 zoom lenses: Version 1 Lens Reviews - Version 2 Lens Reviews - Version 3 Lens Reviews - Version 4 Lens Reviews - Version 5 Lens Reviews - Version 6 Lens Reviews.
Lens Review Date: June 4, 2016 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: $65.00 Rating: 9 Pros: Very inexpensive Cons: None Sharpness: 8 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 8 Value: 10 Camera Used: Nikon D50 Look.I am just an amateur. In fact I put it on and love using the instant screen output of 'what do I need to adjust next' It is completely manual and it does not take long to understand the moment. Lets face it, we do not need to take notes and develop the film now. It is a Fantastic lens with INSTANT feedback from the DSLR. The other day I took it out and had my boy stand for a few seconds, he was wanting to get on with skateboarding. I took the following in one take after a prior adjusting for light.
I was 12 feet away with a hand held D50 Nikon and this is what I got.no editing.simple, pure result from a camera moron (actually i am intelligent) with no training or education in film.Thank you. 40 Year old Lens!! Posts: 282 Lens Review Date: September 11, 2015 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: $70.00 Rating: 10 Pros: build quality, sharp, bright colors Cons: very heavy, has to be mod for dslr Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 10 Bokeh: 9 Handling: 6 Value: 10 I've not bought it yet but the seller lent it to me for testing, I have tested it on sea-side and will probably buy this 1st version (with the 67mm filter thread). This lens can produce fantastic photos for the price. The only bad thing is there is no tripod screw-mount on it as it is much heavier than the camera body, and it may take some training to realy master this beast, maybe more hours spent at the gym Also the model I have tested needs a mod to be mounted on a KAF2 mount, the aperture lever shield must be trimed or removed (3 screws to remove it). Here are some photos taken this afternoon (I missed a lot of my shots because move blur comes very fast when you don't want to go over ISO 200).
Found best results between f/5.6 - f/8 but it is still sharp wider, only focusing becomes harder at wide and the huge focusing cylinder is a bit to smooth. Lens Review Date: October 7, 2013 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: $70.00 Rating: 10 Pros: Great contrast, sharpness, price, macro, colors, superb bokeh, quality of construction, constant f/3.5 Cons: heavy, no tripod collar, takes time to master Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 8 Value: 10 This is lens is so great that I own 4 copies of the lens it's self.
The lens takes time to master the sliding and turning to focus. It is heavy and will make you want to go to the gym just so your arms won't be so tired. This is lens is highly under estimated by newer photographer just because it doesn't have auto-focus.
Their lost and my gain in this matter. The lens is really sharp when stopped down. It is one of my sharpest lens that I have and I take it everywhere. When used when used with the lens hood the aberrations is almost non-existent, what little is there can easily be removed in PP. The bokeh is buttery and smooth wide open and still holds that value when stopped down. It can completely make the background look like a painting if used correctly.
By, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr. Posts: 257 Lens Review Date: March 24, 2013 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: None indicated Rating: 8 Pros: Good output when done right Cons: Muted contrast at default settings Sharpness: 8 Aberrations: 6 Bokeh: 8 Handling: 7 Value: 10 I have the series 1 version. Overall this is a really nice lens and performs rather well. Aberrations are a problem for this lens in my view, but LR4 cleans these up nicely. Since this is the heaviest (and longest) lens I own, I don't pack it much. When I have used it, however, it has performed well.
I was bored the other day so I took some test shots. On a tripod with 2s mirror up, LV focused, default lightroom settings. 1:2 crop of this lens at about 100mm f5.6: And here is a 1:2 crop of my Pentax D FA 100mm Macro at f5.6: As you can tell not exactly at the same focal length. Lens Review Date: June 2, 2012 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: None indicated Rating: 10 Pros: Cons: Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 8 Handling: 9 Value: 10 I very recently took Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/2.8-4 (third edition-Komine model) out for a shoot this last Memorial Day (2012). I had forgotten how very good this lens is. Yes, it's a tad heavy, compared to modern lenses, but the optical quality and build construction is superb.
I burned a roll of Portra 400 with it. The neg's and scans are great! No post processing on the snaps. This is one very sharp and well built zoom. Lens Review Date: May 12, 2012 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: None indicated Rating: 10 Pros: GREAT IQ Cons: WEIGHT? Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 10 Bokeh: 10 Handling: 9 Value: 9 I have the Kiron (ver. 1) and the Komine (ver.
3), both lenses are very good and I recommend them. The Komine is easier to use because of the PkA. The Kiron is probably a better lens, but it is heavier, and to use the macro, you have to push a button and rotate it. The Kiron requires stopping down with the green button (or with the on/off switch on the K5).
Vivitar Series 1 Lens Serial Numbers
It is easier to use on the K5 because of that. I paid four times what I paid for the Kiron to get the Komine. Here are couple of photos: These ones were taken with the Kiron, my first shot with it.
Not to bad for chasing a bee: by, on Flickr by, on Flickr These ones were taken with the Komine: by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr. Lens Review Date: April 21, 2011 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: $200.00 Rating: 10 Pros: Sharp!!!, Build Quality, 2.8 Cons: Prone to aberration midlong on Digital Bodies Konime Version w/ A setting - Can't say enough about this lens, it is a great performer. I have noticed a mention or two about the color rendition of the images being off, THAT IS 100% INACCURATE, this lens produces spot on color, on every single shot taken with this lens.
Other users of this lens compares the color accuracy compared to newer lenses that do not produce accurate color renditions on digital cameras. The only downside of this lens is the aberration, typically when shooting on the long end, and not present when I use this lens to shoot film on my ME Super or Super Program.
I give it a 9.5 rating, since there is no 1/2 increments on the ratings system, I will bump it to a 10. Lens Review Date: April 10, 2011 I can recommend this lens: Yes Price: None indicated Rating: 9 Pros: sharp, multiple uses, built like a tank Cons: heavy, zoom creep.
I just received this lens and will add to the review as I gain experience. First, it is one of the lenses that was built to last. Solid construction throughout means that if it's dropped, check your floor for damage before you check the lens. It benefits from the use of a tripod as the lens weighs enough that it is really difficult to maintain a steady focus. I'll be adding a hood to lessen flare which has not actually been a big problem (so far). The zoom has a tendency to creep down if the lens is angled to the ground, which, as the lens is 'of a size', is fairly often.
I'm so far impressed with the contrast and the versatility of this lens. Shots below were handheld in full sunlight.