The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary: Details

Please refer back to the main page for an overview of these lenses. Where photos aren't credited they were sourced from the net, generally auction sites. All the prices are circa 2013. The lenses seem much harder to find now!

T91

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.5 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 37xxxxx | Ø58mm

(photos courtesy timbo13)

manufacturer: Tokina
filter: 58mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.5-f/16
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: aperture range goes both ways on scale (to accomodate different mounts)

T92

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 37xxxxxx | Ø52mm

manufacturer: Tokina
filter: 52mm
markings: green meter scale
optics: 7 elements in 7 groups
full focus range: 1/2 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm marked / 28.5cm measured
maximum magnification:
weight: 270g
diameter / length: 66mm | 37-40mm
year: 1977
price: listed at $159
comment: Aperture range goes both ways on scale (to accomodate different mounts). Has O/L switch. 57mm cap size. Stats measured by Robin. Read review.

T93

Vivitar | WIDE-ANGLE | 28mm 1:2.8 | No. 37xxxxx | AUTO

manufacturer: Tokina
filter: 58mm
markings: red meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: aperture range goes both ways on scale (to accomodate different mounts)

T94

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | No. 63xxx

(photos courtesy ChipB)

manufacturer: Kiron?
filter: 52mm
markings:
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus: 30cm?
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Aperture range goes both ways on scale (to accomodate different mounts). Distinctive design with second aperture dial near front of lens. Compare with M15.

M01

Vivitar | 28mm 1:2.0 | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | No. 28xxxxxx

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 55mm
markings: green meter scale
optics: 8 elements in 8 groups, floating element
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight: ~225g
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: photos needed

M02

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

M03

Vivitar | 28mm 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | JAPAN | No. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

M04

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

M11

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 22xxx | Ø55MM

(photos courtesy georgweb)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns: yes
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment:

M12

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.5 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 22xxxxxx | Ø62MM

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 62mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range: 3/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2.5-f/22
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight: 320g
diameter / length: 65mm / 70mm
year:
price:
comment: stats supplied by Simon Cook

M13

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.5 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 22xxxxxx | Ø67MM

(photos courtesy 721)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 67mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.5-f/22
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment:

M14a

Vivitar | WIDE-ANGLE | 28mm 1:2.5 | No. 22xxxxxx | AUTO

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 62mm
markings: red meter scale with silver filter flange
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades: 6
aperture range:
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Compare with M14a. Despite lack of data one might assume the characteristics are the same.

M14b

Vivitar | WIDE-ANGLE | 28mm 1:2.5 | No. 22xxxxxx | AUTO

(photos courtesy Gaurav Pandey)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 62mm
markings: green meter scale but the body is all black.
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades: 6
aperture range:
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: compare with M14b

M15

Vivitar | WIDE-ANGLE | 28mm 1:2.5 | No. 22xxxxxx

(photos courtesy ryan s)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 62mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades: 8
aperture range: f/2.5-f/22
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Distinctive design with second aperture dial near front of lens (compare with T94).

M16

Vivitar | 28mm 1:2 | MC | WIDE-ANGLE | No. 22xxxxxx | Ø55MM

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings:
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range:
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment:

M21

Vivitar | WIDE ANGLE | 28mm 1:2.5 | No. 26xxx | AUTO

manufacturer: Kiron?
filter: 62mm
markings: red meter scale, silver band aperture ring
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.5-f/22
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight: 318g
diameter / length:
year: 1974
price:
comment:

M22

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | Ø49MM

manufacturer:
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: "0/0M96301485" on barrel

M91

Vivitar Series 1 | 28mm 1:1.9 | VMC | Auto Wide Angle | No. 37xxxxxx | Ø58MM

manufacturer: Tokina
filter: 58mm
markings: green meter scale, "VMC" in blue
optics: 9 elements in 8 groups, internal focus, floating element
full focus range: 1/2 turn
front element turns: yes
aperture blades: 7
aperture range: f/1.9-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight: 334g
diameter / length: 65mm / 62mm
year: 1978
price: $305 list
comment: Intriguing flared shape. Read: Review Part 1, Review Part 2, Older Review.

K01

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.0 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics: 8 elements in 7 groups
full focus range: 3/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 23cm
maximum magnification: 1:5
weight: 280g
diameter / length: 64mm / 43-55mm (48.5mm official)
year: 1983?
price: $150
comment: Stats from official sheet and measured by Robin. Read review.

K02

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range: 3/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus: 23cm marked / 22.4cm measured
maximum magnification: 1:5
weight: 200g
diameter / length: 62mm / 36-43mm
year:
price:
comment: Stats measured by Robin. Read review.

K03

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range: 1/2 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm marked / 28.7cm measured
maximum magnification:
weight: 200g
diameter / length: 62mm / 37-40mm
year:
price:
comment: Stats measured by Robin. Read review

K04

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | AUTO WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

K05

Vivitar | RL EDITION | 28mm 1:2.8 | CLOSE FOCUS | MC | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49mm

(photos courtesy gavin)

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus: 23cm marked
maximum magnification: 1:5
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: "RL EDITION" simply means the lens was marketed with a 7 year warranty in place of the usual 5 years. Likely identical to K02.

K06

VIVITAR | SMS | 28mm 1:2.8 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy jsherman999)

K11

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2 | WIDE-ANGLE | NO. 22xxxxxx | Ø55MM

(photos courtesy feverbeaver)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range: 1/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm marked
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Later version of K12; compare with X01. Read review.

X01

KINO PRECISION | JAPAN | KIRON | 28mm f/2 | Ø55MM | MC | 30xxxxxx

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings: blue foot scale, "28mm" in orange
optics:
full focus range: 1/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm marked / 30cm measured
maximum magnification:
weight: 270g
diameter / length: 65mm / 48-51mm
year: 1981
price: $209 with case
comment: Compare with K11. Markings around outer rim of barrel. Half-stop aperture detents. Stats measured by Robin and from review in "Modern's Photo Buying Guide '85".

K12

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | No. 22xxxxxx | Ø55MM

(photos courtesy Just1MoreDave)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings: green meter scale
optics: 8 elements in 8 groups
full focus range: 3/4 turn
front element turns: yes
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight: 283g
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Earlier version of K11. Has mount flange that needs cutting in order to fit DSLRs.

K13

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2 | MC | WIDE-ANGLE | NO. 22xxxxxx | Ø55MM

(photos courtesy fever beaver)

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 55mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year: 1979?
price: $150
comment:

K14

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.5 | AUTO WIDE-ANGLE | NO. 22xxxxxx | Ø67MM

manufacturer: Kiron
filter: 67mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.5-f/22
minimum focus: 20cm
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Aperture range goes both ways on scale.

K21

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | WIDE ANGLE | MC | NO. 42xxxxxx | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy mikeSF)

manufacturer: Bauer
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/16
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Plastic rear mount.

K22

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | AUTO | Ø49MM | VMC

manufacturer: ?
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus:
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment:

K91

Vivitar Series 1 | 28MM 1:1.9 | VMC | AUTO WIDE ANGLE | No. 37xxxxxx | Ø58MM

(photos courtesy hapo)

manufacturer: Tokina
filter: 58mm
markings: green meter scale
optics: 9 elements in 8 groups, internal focus, floating element
full focus range: 1/2 turn
front element turns: yes
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/1.9-f/16
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification:
weight: 334g
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: K-mount version of the M42 mount M91 (so same specs assumed).

A01

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.0 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy 721)

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 6
aperture range: f/2-f/16
minimum focus: 23cm marked
maximum magnification: 1:5
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment:

A02

VIVITAR | SMS | 28mm 1:2.8 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy morfic)

A03

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | CLOSE FOCUS WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy amaurosis)

A04

VIVITAR | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | NO. 28xxxxxx | Ø49MM

manufacturer: Komine
filter: 49mm
markings: maximum magnification marked "MACRO" in yellow
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range:
minimum focus:
maximum magnification: 1:4
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: PK-A/R mount.

A21

Vivitar | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | Ø49MM

(photos courtesy Kei)

manufacturer: Cosina
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus: 23cm
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: Two variants with different markings on aperture ring. PK-A/R mount.

A22

Vivitar | 28mm 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE LENS | NO. 61xxxxxx | Ø52MM

(photos courtesy tourdeforce)

manufacturer: ?
filter: 52mm
markings: green meter scale, maximum magnification marked "MACRO" in yellow
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus:
maximum magnification: 1:6
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: PK-A/R mount.

A23

Vivitar | 28mm 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE JAPAN | Ø49mm | IMAGE by

(photos courtesy jerrymouse)

manufacturer:
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22 ?
minimum focus:
maximum magnification: 1:6
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: PK-A/R mount. Similar to Kalimar-branded lens.

A24

Vivitar | RL EDITION | 28MM 1:2.8 | MC | WIDE ANGLE | Ø49MM | 97xxxxxx

(photos courtesy BobD2)

manufacturer: Cosina?
filter: 49mm
markings: green meter scale, "RL EDITION" is in blue
optics:
full focus range:
front element turns:
aperture blades:
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus: 23cm marked
maximum magnification:
weight:
diameter / length:
year:
price:
comment: PK-A/R mount. "RL EDITION" simply means the lens was marketed with a 7 year warranty in place of the usual 5 years. Likely identical to A21.

X02

smc PENTAX-A 1:2.8 28mm xxxxxxx

manufacturer: Pentax
filter: 49mm
markings:
optics: 7 elements in 7 groups
full focus range: 1/4 turn
front element turns: no
aperture blades: 5
aperture range: f/2.8-f/22
minimum focus: 30cm
maximum magnification: 0.12x
weight: 170g
diameter / length: 63mm / 37mm
year: 1984-88
price:
comment: Read review.