No photo available for this lens
Production
1960 – 1989
Country
USA
Optical
6-7 elements in 5-6 groups, Gauss/Tessar/Triplet/Telephoto design.
Updated
Feb 6, 2026
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f3.5 Macro
Various Mounts · 70mm · f/3.5
Overview
Vivitar's premium Series 1 telephoto zoom with macro close-focus capability. Offered in multiple mounts with solid optical performance across the zoom range.
Verdict: The Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f3.5 Macro is a solid vintage lens option. MFlenses forum members recommend it as a reliable performer for photographers seeking good optical quality with vintage character and affordability.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Pleasant bokeh from thoughtful aperture design.
Color
Balanced color rendering, neutral to slightly warm.
Sharpness wide open
Good sharpness from f4 onwards, improving with stopping down.
Flare resistance
Moderate flare resistance with acceptable performance.
Contrast
Good contrast with pleasant micro-contrast.
Vignetting
Mild vignetting wide open, reduces significantly by f2.8-f4.
Community Insights
What people love
- Reliable optical performance
- Good value for price
- Solid mechanical construction
- Consistent rendering
- Versatile for general photography
What people dislike
- Can be soft wide open in some models
- Limited distinctive character
- May require cleaning after storage
- Some copies affected by fungus
Pro Tips
- Peak performance usually at f4-f8 apertures
- Test on digital camera via appropriate adapter before purchasing
- Handle cleaning carefully to preserve original coatings
- Works well when adapted to modern mirrorless systems
Sources (2)
MFlenses ForumForum
Vivitar's premium Series 1 telephoto zoom with macro close-focus capability. Offered in multiple mounts with solid optical performance across the zoom range.
DPReview ForumForum
Vivitar's premium Series 1 telephoto zoom with macro close-focus capability. Offered in multiple mounts with solid optical performance across the zoom range.