Flip answer aside which is better depends I suppose on the Vivitar Series 1 you have, and which Pentax you're looking at. I find it to be something of a toss up. (I don't have the a Pentax 80-200, I have the smp F 70-210). I also have two different versions of the VS1, (the second, Tokina, and third Komine), considered to be two of the best three. The Pentax as sharp but is lighter and more compact. The VS1 lenses are both very solid feeling but more prone to flair, (I'm still looking for a good lens hood for them). Now none of the autofocus consumer 80-200 zooms that Pentax made have quite the reputation of the 70-210 so I expect that the lens you're looking at will be a little less sterling. Any of the Vivitars will be faster than any of the Pentaxs some by quite a lot. Now my feeling is that they aren't really redundant, (well yes my two Vivitars are more or less redundant, and if anyone would like to have a Vivitar S1 70-210 f3.5 in almost mint condition with original front cap, and hell I even have the original packaging and paperwork around here someplace, just let me know, I'm not trying to get rich, just break even), but they serve different purposes. If you want the lightest kit to include a zoom in that range I'd go with the Pentax. If you want the faster lens carry the Vivitar, and the difference between 3.5 and 4.7 at the short end is nearly a stop, at the long end where the Pentax is at 5.6 the difference is a stop and a third. That can make a big difference in hand holding a shot. If you have the one of the 2.8~4.0 Vivitars it's a full stop and 1/2 at the short end and a full stop faster at the long end.range. Now the question is it worth $40.00? It seems that there's currently a premium on any used Pentax mount A class manual mount or autofocus lens. So yes it probably is, if you want it.
Charles Robinson wrote: > There's a guy here selling a bunch of old equipment (zx-50, 38-80 > zoom, and 80-200 zoom) for not-so-much money. Is the 80-200 (a zoom > range I only have covered with my Vivitar Series 1) worth even $40? > Feels like "it couldn't hurt" but I'm curious about the opinions of > all the experts here.... I know it's redundant, but it also says > "Pentax" on it and it's autofocus for the few times I would want that. > > Opinions? Suggestions? > > -Charles > > -- > Charles Robinson - [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Minneapolis, MN > http://charles.robinsontwins.org > > > > -- I am personally a member of the Cream of the Illuminati. A union with the Bavarian Illuminati is contemplated. When it is complete the Bavarian Cream Illuminati will rule the world -- Anonymous -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
