Vivitar Vivitar 90-230mm f4.5 Heritage

Overview

The Vivitar 90-230mm f/4.5 is a telephoto zoom from the era when Vivitar operated as an American photographic equipment reseller that designed and branded lenses while subcontracting the actual manufacturing to established Japanese optical firms. This particular zoom was manufactured by Tokina, one of Vivitar's key subcontractors (the same partnership that later produced the celebrated Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 'Bokina'). Sources date this 90-230mm to 1978. It was notably offered with an interchangeable T4/TX-mount system, meaning a single lens could be adapted across many camera systems (including M42 thread) simply by changing the mount adapter — a hallmark of Vivitar/Tokina's TX zoom line. It was also rebadged under other store brands; one source notes a Sears-branded equivalent of the same 90-230mm. No established nickname exists for this specific zoom. Unlike its famous 'Bokina' cousin, this is a budget-tier consumer zoom — one reviewer's page is literally titled 'When cheap is uhm, cheap' — yet the same reviewer credits its 8-bladed aperture with 'good bokeh,' which is the small kernel of affection people hold for it.

Verdict: A cheap, all-metal Tokina-made telephoto zoom from 1978 with an interchangeable mount and one genuine bright spot — the 'good bokeh' from its 8-bladed diaphragm. It is not the famous 'Bokina'; it is a budget zoom for hobbyists who want an affordable, adaptable telephoto and don't mind vari-focus quirks. Buy it cheap, enjoy it for what it is, and manage expectations.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Described as 'good bokeh,' credited specifically to the 8-bladed aperture.

Community Insights

What people love

The rounded 8-blade aperture, which one reviewer says produces 'good bokeh' for a cheap zoom
It is very affordable and can be found at bargain prices
The interchangeable T4/TX mount system, which lets the lens be adapted across many camera systems including M42
Solid, all-metal construction
Versatility of the 90-230mm telephoto zoom range, and creative reuse (one user paired the Sears-branded twin with an adapter to make a 900-2300mm spotting scope)

What people dislike

It is genuinely a budget lens — one reviewer's page headline sums it up as 'When cheap is uhm, cheap'
It is a vari-focus zoom (focus shifts as you zoom), which is less convenient than a true parfocal zoom

Pro Tips

Set the interchangeable mount to the correct TX adapter for your Minolta MD body before use
Because it is a vari-focus zoom, recompose/refocus after changing focal length
Lean on its 8-blade aperture for pleasant out-of-focus backgrounds when shooting at the longer end

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Vivitar 90-230mm f/4.5 is a telephoto zoom from the era when Vivitar operated as an American photographic equipment reseller that designed and branded lenses while subcontracting the actual manufacturing to established Japanese optical firms. This particular zoom was manufactured by Tokina, one of Vivitar's key subcontractors (the same partnership that later produced the celebrated Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 'Bokina'). Sources date this 90-230mm to 1978. It was notably offered with an interchangeable T4/TX-mount system, meaning a single lens could be adapted across many camera systems (including M42 thread) simply by changing the mount adapter — a hallmark of Vivitar/Tokina's TX zoom line. It was also rebadged under other store brands; one source notes a Sears-branded equivalent of the same 90-230mm. No established nickname exists for this specific zoom. Unlike its famous 'Bokina' cousin, this is a budget-tier consumer zoom — one reviewer's page is literally titled 'When cheap is uhm, cheap' — yet the same reviewer credits its 8-bladed aperture with 'good bokeh,' which is the small kernel of affection people hold for it.

https://www.canonclassics.com/vivitar-fd-90-230mm-f4.5-tx/10-191/https://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_1450.htmlhttps://forum.mflenses.com/vivitar-90-230-t25225.htmlhttps://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1583509https://peteferling.com/Vivitar%2090-230.htmhttps://www.tsangyatho.com/post/vivitars-bokina-review