Vivitar Vivitar Series 1 85mm f1.8 Heritage

Overview

The Vivitar Series 1 85mm F1.8 discussed here represents a notable turning point in Vivitar's history: according to the single detailed user review, this lens 'marked the departure of Vivitar using re-branded Samyang lenses and using a new Chinese manufacturer.' First released in 2013 and made in China, it was offered across most SLR mounts including Pentax K, Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony/Minolta A. When one reviewer purchased it, there were 'pretty much no reviews on it,' making it something of a gamble at its low price. It has developed a small but appreciative following primarily on value grounds — the reviewer noted that even legacy 85mm lenses sell for a lot more, making this an inexpensive route into fast 85mm portraiture. No established nicknames or community jargon appear in the reviews.

Verdict: This late-production, Chinese-made Vivitar Series 1 85mm F1.8 is a budget-friendly fast portrait lens best suited to photographers who want an inexpensive, compact manual fast 85mm and are willing to accept modest build quality and some wide-open aberrations. It rewards stopping down to f2.8-f4 and offers strong value, but it is a solid performer rather than a character-defining classic.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Bokeh is described as pretty pleasing but nothing amazing, with no swirl or unusual effects.

Sharpness wide open

Sharp wide open at f1.8 with some aberrations that diminish by f2.8 and are essentially gone by f4.

Community Insights

What people love

Exceptional value — bought new for around $80, which the reviewer felt could not be beaten, especially compared to pricier legacy 85mm lenses
Small, compact size, particularly when the lens hood is removed
Sharp performance wide open at f1.8 and excellent sharpness once stopped down to f2.8-f4
Metal flange contributing to a reasonably solid mounting point
Availability across many SLR mounts (Pentax K, Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony/Minolta A)

What people dislike

Build quality was listed as a con by the reviewer
Aberrations when shot wide open at f1.8

Pro Tips

Stop down to f2.8 for a substantial jump in sharpness and to f4 to essentially eliminate aberrations
Remove the lens hood for a much more compact package when traveling
It adapts well to full-frame mirrorless bodies — the reviewer used a Nikon F copy on a Sony A7

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Vivitar Series 1 85mm F1.8 discussed here represents a notable turning point in Vivitar's history: according to the single detailed user review, this lens 'marked the departure of Vivitar using re-branded Samyang lenses and using a new Chinese manufacturer.' First released in 2013 and made in China, it was offered across most SLR mounts including Pentax K, Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony/Minolta A. When one reviewer purchased it, there were 'pretty much no reviews on it,' making it something of a gamble at its low price. It has developed a small but appreciative following primarily on value grounds — the reviewer noted that even legacy 85mm lenses sell for a lot more, making this an inexpensive route into fast 85mm portraiture. No established nicknames or community jargon appear in the reviews.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-85mm-f18-series-1.html