Review Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

According provided by lens Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom huge thanks to Vitaly.

Review Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

Review Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom - old lens with 2.73x zoom and constant maximum aperture of 1: 3.8 for film cameras, with M42 mounting thread. A kind of all-metal 'monster' with 4 rings: focus, zoom, aperture and one blende ring (located behind the zoom ring). Most likely, the additional blende ring serves for more convenient handling of the lens. This lens should not be confused with Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 MC Macro Focusing Zoom (with piston housing design).

How to use with modern cameras?

Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.

The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.

For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.

For SLR cameras

  1. Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
  2. NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
  3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
  4. SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
  5. OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.

For mirrorless cameras

  1. SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
  2. OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
  3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
  4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
  5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
  6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
  7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
  8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
  9. SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
  10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
  11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
  12. LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.

If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom when focusing on MDF

The lens is massive, weighs almost 800 grams, made in Japan, near the mount there is an inscription 'Patents Applied For U Lens Made in Japan'. The focusing ring, zoom ring and the auxiliary ring are covered with rough rubber for a comfortable grip. The control rings for the diaphragm and the mode of operation of the diaphragm are metal, not rubberized. The lens uses 58mm color filters. The Vivitar 75-205 / 3.8 came to my review with a native metal cover without latches, which simply fits tightly onto the body.

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom, in the photo you can see the diaphragm mode switch

It is remarkable that the lens has a fully internal zoom - nothing moves when the focal length is changed. It is also great that when focusing and when changing the focal length, the rear lens remains stationary. The only pity is that when focusing, the entire front part of the lens rotates and goes forward. The focus ring rotates 180 degrees and the MDF is 2 meters. There is a focusing distance scale.

The Vivitar 75-205 / 3.8 has a special 'Close Focusing' mode (focusing at close distances). To enter the 'Close Focusing' mode, turn the zoom ring towards the yellow 'Close Focus' label, while the lens gives out a slight click. In 'Close Focus' mode, the zoom ring acts as a focusing ring, and the focus ring itself is practically useless and is best left in the position marked with the yellow dot. I gladthat the lens is devoid of loud 'Macro' labels, and has more sensible 'Close Focusing' and 'Close Focus'.

The diaphragm consists of 6 blades and closes up to f / 22, so you have to put up with the 'nuts' in the bokeh on closed diaphragms. Using the 'M / A' aperture control mode switch, you can set manual or automatic control, this is extremely convenient - you do not have to 'tighten' the diaphragm pusher with improvised objects. Auto control only works on cameras that have a matching 'blinking' aperture mechanism for M42-threaded lenses.

If the pictures taken with the Vivitar 75-205 / 3.8 were as good as its body, then there would be no price for it. And so - the lens is very afraid of flare, while forming a veil, or noticeably losing contrast, and, of course, catches sunbeams. There are no slots on the body for installing the hood; it is screwed into the thread for light filters. In general, Vivitar 75-205 / 3.8 produces an interesting picture with nice bokeh (slightly twisted). On a full-frame Canon 5D camera, there are no special problems with sharpness at F / 3.8, only at 205 mm focal and F / 3.8 sharpness sags, and vignetting is noticeable.

The difference in geometric aperture between F / 3.5 and F / 3.8 is only 18%, and between F / 4.0 and F / 3.8 - 11%. If you are looking for a similar quality lens, I recommend looking at Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm 1: 3.5 Macro Focusing Auto Zoom VMC.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 422 MB, 36 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) from a full-format camera Canon 5D.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom on the ZK

Results

Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom - a fun telezoom lens with not the worst maximum aperture and solid construction.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Pastor

 

 

Comments: 42, on the topic: Review Vivitar 75-205mm 1: 3.8 Close Focusing Auto Zoom

  • Felix

    350d has already left the ranks of honorary observer: D

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No, he's just waiting for the EF-S optics :), and in the previous review he was also an “honorary” model on which Zeiss 135 / 2,8 was drawn :)

  • Nick

    MDF 7 feet, just a scale in meters - green.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Fixed

  • Yuriy75

    It reminds of the Soviet Granite - 11N, the constructive is excellent, but the rest is a problem ... A device for photographers-bodybuilders :). Many thanks to the author for the review! One word of a professional, even from an unimportant technique, pulls out excellent pictures!

  • Oleg

    Something your model disappeared somewhere?) For a long time it is not visible in the pictures)

    • THE

      Oleg, why? :) Seals are in almost every review;)

      • Oleg

        that there was another kitty))

        • Jura ^ __ ^

          when a million female poses are tragic nature. Kitska is cool! I’ve thrown to the jock ^ __ ^

  • Vyacheslav

    I used the same one - with Olympus OM mount. In addition to what was said in the review, my copy was very yellow in the picture. The light is really a problem.

  • Artem

    Uv.podskazite budget telephoto in case of hunting fishing, so that you can captivate wildlife, birds, etc.! I am a fan of the carcass of Kenon 600, in the set there are 2 portrait portraits of macro rings, the width is short and the TV set

    • Pastor

      On my own I would recommend Canon 55-250. A decent stabilizer, a sharp picture for a zoom, a good spread of focal lengths. And most importantly - a ridiculous price in the region of 5 thousand. For hunting and birds during the day - the very thing. It’s not a pity to break or lose) In any case, not as sorry as an elk for 20 thousand.

      • anonym

        And from the shovel sample? Mto 1000 or Tahir ??

        • Oleg Muravitsky

          ARSAT M 80-200 / 4,5 you can see how my friend is selling this one now. Or an early version of it - Granit-11. The price of the issue will be in the range of 300-600 UAH, depending on the state

    • Oleg

      Well, it depends on the budget the simplest telephoto canon-55-250. Well, of course it's better
      station wagon canon-18-200

  • Oleg Muravitsky

    “It's great that the lens has a fully internal zoom - nothing moves when the focal length is changed. It is also great that when focusing and when changing the focal length, the rear lens remains stationary. The only pity is that when focusing, the entire front part of the lens rotates and goes forward. "
    That is, the design is similar to the ZOOM ARSAT M 80-200. In principle, there is nothing wrong with the rotation of the front lens - the polarizer is not particularly in demand on the telezoom.

  • Vladimir

    Arkady, this is Ray (where ?! and here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2014/01/page-3700/) She doesn't smile at all!
    Your K.O.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, Ray sometimes looks in the comments on Radozhiv and cannot smile (

  • Exhausted

    Arkady, did I understand correctly that the lens hood was not used when shooting?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Not used.

  • Alexey de Paris

    Good afternoon, thanks for the review. How long no one wrote about this lens! Yesterday I had the opportunity to make a couple of test shots at the photo exhibition. The quality of the test I tested did not suit me. Filmed on the D600 at full open and against the light.
    focal maximum, focus on the counter

    https://yadi.sk/i/5M4MrC6D3TXFEH

  • Nicholas

    Arkady, hello. Tell me, please, can the Vivitar 85-205 mm 1: 3.8 AUTO ZOOM 58 mm lens on NIKON B 3100 have infinity? Thank you in advance.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For infinity, you need an M42 adapter with a lens. I advise you to abandon the use of an adapter with a lens and lose infinity

  • Athanasius

    All reviews are the same and not interesting ... What do you want from a lens made God knows when, he does not like flare, and almost every lens up to 90g does not like flare and does not hold backlight plus catches hares.
    Better talked more about sharpness on all ranges and across the entire field of the frame and more frames with portraits to evaluate bokeh

    • B. R. P.

      Not interested - don't read it.

  • Sergiy Kobzar

    Luxurious object, especially fond of those who arrive for me for 400 UAH)
    Photo below

    • Sergiy Kobzar

      .

    • Sergiy Kobzar

      ,

  • Volha

    Hello. Thanks for your review. Tell me, how will it behave on crop1.6? What is the focal length? I want to put it on Canon EOS-m10. Do you need an M42 adapter with a lens? Or a simple one without a lens will do? Thank you.

    • twm

      @Volha
      Multiply the focal factor by the crop factor of your system, i.e. by 1.6. The EF-M is a mirrorless system with a short flange distance of 18mm and therefore does not require a lens for most ancient lenses.

    • Victor

      This will be focal, 75-205, nothing needs to be multiplied.

    • twm

      @Victor
      The person is clearly trying to ask about the EGF (respectively, to get an idea of ​​the viewing angle)

      • Specialist

        @twm The person is clearly not sitting on the FF, he would know, I suppose, what kind of EGFs on his crop are obtained. Volha, the same mm on this lens will be as you are accustomed to on the crop, nothing will be multiplied.

      • Victor

        I also did not see where he is clearly trying to ask about the ether. Perhaps he needed to understand that a 75mm focal length would correspond to 75mm on a native ef-m lens (for example, set at 18-150 zoom) without any multiplication or recalculation.

        Oh well.

        • twm

          I agree, my mistake. I was too clever: to correlate the focal kit zoom and this lens (and any other) - no recalculation is needed for this.

  • Vladimir

    Hello. I bought my son the same lens (he has a Sony alpha 6000), and bought a PK-NEX adapter. But he doesn't fit. It’s great for the camera, but not for the lens, it dangles. Please advise what adapter is needed? Thanks in advance.

  • Fay

    I have this lens. How much should I charge because I want to sell this lens.

    • B. R. P.

      About $25-35.

  • Pedro

    good morning. Does anyone know give me a link or the adapter model for a Nikon D200 ? Thank you very much.

    • B. R. P.

      This article has links to adapters. Use google translate and read it.

  • Andrea

    Can someone tell me how to take the thing off to connect to the camera?

    • B. R. P.

      What thing?

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