Production
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Country
Japan
Optical
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Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3
Nikon AI / Canon FD / Pentax K / M42
Overview
The Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 is the fast portrait telephoto of the Series 1 lineup. Made by Komine, it features a unique f/2.3 maximum aperture and impressive close focus capability. Opinions are divided — some find it stellar, others note softness wide open. But the colors, skin tones, and bokeh win devotees.
Verdict: A character portrait lens. The colors and skin tone rendering are genuinely special — some prefer it over the Pentax SMC 135mm. Copy variation exists, so test before buying if possible. When you get a good one, it's a portrait machine.
Community Insights
What people love
- Beautiful color and skin tones
- Great bokeh when stopped slightly
- Built-in lens hood (felt-lined!)
- Close focus capability
- f/2.3 unique aperture
What people dislike
- Can be soft wide open (copy variation)
- Purple fringing on highlights
- 72mm filter size
- Heavy
Pro Tips
- Best for studio/controlled light portraits
- Stop to f/4 for consistent sharpness
- The colors are the real magic
- Close focus great for tight headshots
Sample Photos
Sources (1)
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 is the fast portrait telephoto of the Series 1 lineup. Made by Komine, it features a unique f/2.3 maximum aperture and impressive close focus capability. Opinions are divided — some find it stellar, others note softness wide open. But the colors, skin tones, and bokeh win devotees.