Production
1978
Country
-
Optical
8 elements in 8 groups
Updated
Jul 1, 2026
Vivitar Vivitar 24mm f2
Pentax K and M42 · 24mm · f/2
Overview
The Vivitar 24mm f/2 is a fast wide-angle prime from the golden era of third-party lens making. Vivitar was a marketing/importing brand rather than a manufacturer, and its lenses were farmed out to several Japanese optical houses. According to the review sources, the 24mm f/2 was produced for Vivitar by two makers distinguishable by serial number: Kiron (Kino Precision, with 22xxxx serials) and Komine (28xxxx serials). The Kiron-built version, sometimes labeled under Kiron's own name as well, entered production around 1978. Community members generally hold these in high regard, with one source noting they are 'often a better quality than the other third party lenses of that period.' The lens has no established nickname in the reviews — while it produces distinctive out-of-focus rendering that one reviewer called 'crazy warp bokeh' and another likened to 'zoom blur,' no formal nickname (like 'Bokeh Monster' or similar) is established in the sources. Its modest cult appeal rests on its fast f/2 aperture for a 24mm wide-angle, its low used price, and its characterful, unusual bokeh — tempered by well-known quality-control quirks like sticky apertures and rear-element haze.
Verdict: The Vivitar (Kiron) 24mm f/2 is a characterful, affordable fast wide-angle for photographers who want an unusual look rather than clinical perfection. Its standout trait is a distinctive 'warp' bokeh, and it rewards stopping down to f/5.6–f/8 for clean, sharp results. Buyers must accept its era-typical quirks — sticky apertures, possible rear-element haze, purple fringing wide open, and real copy-to-copy variation — but at its low used price, a good sample offers strong value and a creative edge.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Distinctive and unusual 'crazy warp bokeh' likened to 'zoom blur,' especially at f/2 and at night, though character varies by sample.
Sharpness wide open
Good resolution overall, especially stopped down; wide-open sharpness is copy-dependent with real sample variation.
Community Insights
What people love
- Fast f/2 aperture on a 24mm wide-angle, useful in low light where some copies render better
- Distinctive, unusual 'warp' bokeh that stands out among wide-angle lenses
- Generally regarded as better quality than many other third-party lenses of its era
- Good resolution and quite usable results when stopped down to f/5.6–f/8
- Low used prices and strong value (average around $50, high recommendation rate)
What people dislike
- Softness wide open on some samples, with notable copy-to-copy variation
- Purple fringing wide open that only clears by f/5.6–f/8
- Sticky, oiled-up aperture blades caused by grease that degrades over time
- Reports of haze developing on a rear element
- Quality-control inconsistency beyond just the aperture issues
Pro Tips
- Stop down to f/5.6–f/8 to eliminate purple fringing and reach the lens's good resolution
- Lean into the unusual 'warp'/zoom-like bokeh creatively — shoot at f/2, including at night, where some copies render best
- If the aperture is sticky, seek out one of the DIY re-greasing guides available online for these Kirons
- Because sharpness varies by copy, test wide open before committing to a particular sample
Sample Photos
Sources (1)
Web-grounded synthesissecondary
The Vivitar 24mm f/2 is a fast wide-angle prime from the golden era of third-party lens making. Vivitar was a marketing/importing brand rather than a manufacturer, and its lenses were farmed out to several Japanese optical houses. According to the review sources, the 24mm f/2 was produced for Vivitar by two makers distinguishable by serial number: Kiron (Kino Precision, with 22xxxx serials) and Komine (28xxxx serials). The Kiron-built version, sometimes labeled under Kiron's own name as well, entered production around 1978. Community members generally hold these in high regard, with one source noting they are 'often a better quality than the other third party lenses of that period.' The lens has no established nickname in the reviews — while it produces distinctive out-of-focus rendering that one reviewer called 'crazy warp bokeh' and another likened to 'zoom blur,' no formal nickname (like 'Bokeh Monster' or similar) is established in the sources. Its modest cult appeal rests on its fast f/2 aperture for a 24mm wide-angle, its low used price, and its characterful, unusual bokeh — tempered by well-known quality-control quirks like sticky apertures and rear-element haze.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/kiron-24mm-f2.htmlhttps://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3992482https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/vivitar-24mm-f2.3992482/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EzEqRT2Qvghttps://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/vivitar-kiron-mc-24mm-f-2.4137208/https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-24mm-f2-8-auto-aperture-mc-close-focusing.html