Vivitar Vivitar Series 1 Macro 90mm f2.8 Heritage

Overview

The Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 Macro was born from an ambitious 1970s initiative by Vivitar, an American photography equipment reseller that famously had no factory of its own. Instead, Vivitar hired talented optical engineers to design top-tier lenses and subcontracted the actual manufacturing to established Japanese makers. In 1975, the company shocked the industry with the Vivitar Series 1 lineup, said to be among the first lenses designed with the help of the largest computers of the era. This 90mm Macro was so sharp that, according to Modern Photography magazine, it shared the crown with Leica's Dual Range Summicron as one of the highest-resolution lenses tested at the time. The reviews document two distinct manufacturers: the well-regarded Tokina-made version (serials 37xxxxx) and the similar but distinct Komine-made version (serials 28xxxxx). After Vivitar's decline in 1986, Tokina took over the design and released it as the Tokina AT-X Macro 90mm f/2.5, which earned the affectionate nickname 'Bokina' (a portmanteau of Bokeh and Tokina) for its beautiful out-of-focus rendering. The optical designs are so similar that the Vivitar and the Tokina are considered essentially the same lens, differing mainly in coatings and aperture shape. The cult following stems from this combination of legendary sharpness, gorgeous bokeh, and a versatile 90mm focal length that doubles as both a close-focusing macro and an affordable alternative to an 85mm portrait lens. Note: the reviews explicitly warn that another Vivitar 90mm f/2.8 Macro exists WITHOUT the 'Series 1' designation and is a completely different lens.

Verdict: The Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 Macro is a legendary sharp-yet-beautiful macro and portrait lens whose optical lineage directly produced the famous 'Bokina.' It is ideal for photographers who want a single versatile lens that delivers reference-class sharpness alongside gorgeous bokeh — for macro, close-ups, and portraiture alike. Just be sure to secure the genuine Tokina-made Series 1 f/2.5 and not the unrelated f/2.8, and be prepared to manage chromatic aberration and flare when shooting toward the light.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Highly praised, smooth and characterful out-of-focus rendering that earned its successor the 'Bokina' nickname.

Sharpness wide open

Exceptionally sharp, described as 'tack sharp' and historically rivaling the Leica Dual Range Summicron.

Flare resistance

Loss of contrast (veiling) when shooting into light sources; ghosting behavior unknown.

Contrast

Can lose contrast when shooting directly into light sources; overall character otherwise unknown.

Community Insights

What people love

Outstanding sharpness described as 'tack sharp,' historically rivaling the Leica Dual Range Summicron
Beautiful bokeh that earned the successor lens the 'Bokina' nickname
Excellent build quality, feel, and overall aesthetics
Versatility — a fast f/2.5 90mm that works as both a macro lens and an affordable 85mm-portrait alternative
Close-focusing capability, with a dedicated 3-element 1:1 macro adapter available for even closer work

What people dislike

Chromatic aberration can be an issue
Loss of contrast when shooting into light sources

Pro Tips

Avoid shooting directly into strong light sources to prevent the noted loss of contrast; use a hood or shade the front element
Be mindful of chromatic aberration on high-contrast edges and stop down slightly if needed
Use the dedicated 1:1 macro adapter to extend from the native 1:2 magnification to full 1:1 for true macro work
Leverage the f/2.5 aperture for portraits to take advantage of its acclaimed bokeh

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 Macro was born from an ambitious 1970s initiative by Vivitar, an American photography equipment reseller that famously had no factory of its own. Instead, Vivitar hired talented optical engineers to design top-tier lenses and subcontracted the actual manufacturing to established Japanese makers. In 1975, the company shocked the industry with the Vivitar Series 1 lineup, said to be among the first lenses designed with the help of the largest computers of the era. This 90mm Macro was so sharp that, according to Modern Photography magazine, it shared the crown with Leica's Dual Range Summicron as one of the highest-resolution lenses tested at the time. The reviews document two distinct manufacturers: the well-regarded Tokina-made version (serials 37xxxxx) and the similar but distinct Komine-made version (serials 28xxxxx). After Vivitar's decline in 1986, Tokina took over the design and released it as the Tokina AT-X Macro 90mm f/2.5, which earned the affectionate nickname 'Bokina' (a portmanteau of Bokeh and Tokina) for its beautiful out-of-focus rendering. The optical designs are so similar that the Vivitar and the Tokina are considered essentially the same lens, differing mainly in coatings and aperture shape. The cult following stems from this combination of legendary sharpness, gorgeous bokeh, and a versatile 90mm focal length that doubles as both a close-focusing macro and an affordable alternative to an 85mm portrait lens. Note: the reviews explicitly warn that another Vivitar 90mm f/2.8 Macro exists WITHOUT the 'Series 1' designation and is a completely different lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-series-1-90mm-2-5-macro.htmlhttps://www.tsangyatho.com/post/vivitars-bokina-review