On 12/24/2010 9:14 AM, usher99@xxxxxxx wrote:
> JD writes:
>> . . . It is one heavy lens.
> . . . Not the lens is that heavy compared to a Canyon 180 macro and I am not
> aware of any newer dedicated macro zooms.
> It was pricey when new and I think referred to as a "medical lens." I think
> dentists and pathologists liked it. I have read that it was a financial
> bust. Quite nice big butterfly lens for OM IMO.
Here's part of what the Cult Classic site had to say about it:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"*The 90mm to 180mm f4.5 flat-field VMC lens from 1978 is an optic that has
also achieved /cult status/. *
*This Vivitar 90-180mm f/4.5 lens was really designed for medical photography
needs. A ring-light flash unit was
designed to mount on the front of this lens too. But as far as I know, it was
never released. This original medical
market niche explains some of the design features and range of this high
quality zoom lens. *
*
This lens is over 6 inches long, and pretty heavy at 2.3 pounds. At a constant
f/4.5, you aren't going to value it for
its speed either. But it produces excellent results in macro-work down to 1:4
at 90mm and to 1:2 at its 180mm setting."*
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As you know, I recently was able to fondle one of these. It seems to me to be
too big and especially too heavy for
casual use by someone like me. I don't see myself using it without a tripod. I
think if I were interested in an MF macro
lens in that focal length range, I'd do what I've done before, carry the Tamron
90/2.5 , matched 2x tele-converter or,
less likely, matched extension tube:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tamron 90/2.5 Tube 2.0x Vivitar
90-180/4.5
Focal Length 90 90 180 90-180
Filter Size 49mm 49mm 49mm ?
f/Stop Range 2.5-32 2.5-32 5-64 4.5-?
Magnification 1:2 1:1 1:1 1:4-1:2
Angle of View 27 13.5 13.5 27-13.5
Groups/Elements 6/8 6/8 9/13 ?
Length mm 70.5 121 92.5 152.4
in 2.8 4.8 3.6 6
Maximum Diameter mm 64.5 64.5 64.5 ?
in 2.5 2.5 2.5
Weight g 420 646 589 1043
lb 0.9 1.4 1.3 2.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From lots of experience, I know that this is an excellent flat field macro
lens. A bit better at 1:2 than 1:1, but the
Viv only goes to 1:2. It's easily hand held as a 180/5 in the field. IF using
the Viv, I suspect I'd have it at 180 mm
most of the time, anyway.
Macro Moose
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