John, I've quoted from the "cult classics" section of the Jeff Albro/Robert
Monaghan site regarding the Vivitar Series 1 35-80/2.8 - sounds like a good
'un, and much better suited to the diminutive OM than my Fat Viv
28-90/2.8-3.5:
===============================
"Vivitar Series I 35-85mm f/2.8
"This Series I lens provides a wide angle to short telephoto capability in a
lens only 3.6 inches long that weighs only 26 ounces. Like its cousins, this
Series I lens features a short ten inch close focus range providing a 1:3.5
reproduction ratio. What is more important is that the lens is very sharp
throughout this range, with excellent contrast too (thanks to VMC
multi-coating). Again, the lens is large in diameter, requiring a 72mm
filter, but providing a reasonably fast f/2.8 constant aperture throughout
its range.
"How could Vivitar provide optimal sharpness with such a zoom in the late
1970s that still holds up to the professional standards of the 1990s? The
answer lay in abandoning true zoom action, and substituting a vari-focal
zoom. With a vari-focal zoom, you have to re-focus the lens every time you
change the focal length. But this trick frees the optical designer to
maximize the lens sharpness and quality.
"This mechanical dual focusing control complexity puts off many users
spoiled by true zooms. Consequently, you can often find this sharp zoom
selling for surprisingly low prices (Cf. list $400 in 1978). But as its cult
status gets better known, those bargains may be harder and harder to find!"
================
Regarding the varifocal design requiring refocusing after changing the focal
length, I've never found that to hinder my shooting speed. Vivitar
thoughtfully (or serendipitously) combined a focusing throw that's short
enough to facilitate quick refocusing without being so short it's touchy and
difficult to focus accurately.
$90 for the lens in the advertised condition sounds very reasonable to me.
In comparison I've seen the Series 1 28-90/2.8-3.5 varifocal priced at
$120-$185, and would readily grab one at the lower end of this range.
===========
Lex Jenkins
===========
From: "John Duggan" <john.duggan1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 20:33:55 -0000
...comments on the...Vivitar series 1 35-85 f2.8...
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