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Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina) Lens

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Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina) lens

MTF-charts

Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina) MTF Chart

Optical design

Format: 35mm SLR

Type: Prime lens

Focusing: Manual Focus (MF)

Lens mounts: Canon FD, FDn, Nikon F (FX, DX), Olympus OM, Pentax K, Minolta SR (MD, MC)

First year of production: 1977

Last year of production: 1981

Optical design: 8 elements in 7 groups

User reviews (2)

Photos (11)

Tests (0)

Owners (8)

Views (14399)

Average price: $308

Specifications:

Focal length	Max. aperture	Min. aperture	Blades	Min. Focus (m.)	Filter Ø (mm.)	Weight (gr/oz)	Length (mm/in)
90mm	f/2.5	f/22	8	0.393	58	644/22,7	90/3,5

Additional information:

The Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina) is a legendary macro lens, designed and manufactured to the order of Vivitar by Tokina, a Japanese manufacturer of optic systems.

The lens can take 1:2 macro scale pictures. With an additional extender the Vivitar makes it possible to take 1:1 macro scale pictures.

Together with the Tokina AT-X 90 mm f/2.5 MACRO and the Panagor 90 mm f/ 2.8/ 2.8 macro it forms the trio of the most successful and respected macro lenses with the focal length of 90 mm produced by third-party manufacturers.

This was one of the first computer-designed lenses.

After discontinuation of the macro lens production for Vivitar, Tokina went on manufacturing it under its own brand mark of the Tokina AT-X 90 mm f/2.5 MACRO. This variant of the lens differed in exterior build, smaller size and weight, as well as the filter diameter of 55 mm and minimum aperture of f/ 32. Optical scheme is completely identical.

The Vivitar Series 1 90 mm f/ 2.5 Macro has been valued by the photographers up to now due to several reasons:

very sharp, but at the same time very flexible image, completely functional aperture at f/ 2.5;
versatility; because of its optic characteristics it is fit for shooting in many genres, including portraiture;
very beautiful blurring of out-of-focus area – bokeh, the lens is widely known under the nickname of Bokina;
nice natural color and excellent contrast in the pictures;
very good mechanical build quality, just glass and metal.

The lens is well resistant to side and back light. There is a notable drop in contrast when shooting against the light. It is recommended to use it with a hood.

The Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 Macro is suitable for macrography (especially with extender), portraiture, as well as for shooting different objects and fragments of nature.

Links to online resources:

PDF Files:

Instruction manual (views: 226)
Parts Catalog (Parts Instruction manual) (views: 169)
Parts Manual (A4 sized) (views: 121)

Posted by: Sergei Borodin Date of publication: 06.09.2010

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Photos taken with this lens Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina):

All photos

Warhammer
Autor: Relayer

2552

Bee
Autor: Relayer

2190

Portrait
Autor: Relayer

2371

The flowers
Autor: Relayer

1919

Mechanical quality	5.00	8
Optical quality	5.00	8
Usability	4.37	8
Pricing / Value	3.75	8
Bokeh	4.87	8
Overall lens rating	4.60

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Owner reviews: Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina)

Gary Sutherland 24.01.2013 04:25:47

Period of use: 8 months

Strengths:

Build quality.

Sharpness.

Bokeh.

Did I mention the superb build quality?

Weaknesses:

The need for the adapter to reach 1:1 magnification might bother some folk, but the resulting picture quality is worth this minor hassle.

Comments:

Mechanically, this lens is a work of art. It is a joy to use and I will never let it go.

Comments (0)

Bakin 1.1.2000 00:00:01

Period of use: 2 years

Strengths:

Beautiful bokeh
Sharpness!
Reliability.
Weaknesses:
No autofocus :) ...
Comments:
An excellent lens. Not often in the secondary market. Good as a macro lens and a portrait lens! Generally lenses from Vivitar good. How many used lenses - all worthy! But this very worthy :)
Comments (0)

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Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina) Lens

Owner reviews: Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90 mm f/ 2.5 (Tokina)