Does anyone on this list know if it is possible to simply convert a Canon mount Vivitar 28/2.5 Series 1 lens over to a Konica AR mount? I have a donor 70-210 Series 1 in Konica mount on hand. Is it a simple matter of merely removing the mounting screws on each lens and interchanging the mount assembly, or is there more to it than that? Thanks for any help you can give.

By Winfried on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:26 am:

I think there is more to it, since each and every manufacturer had slightly different levers to communicate between the camera and the lens. The FD mount for example requires a pin of certain length to tell the camera about max. aperture of the lens. Also, lens registration (the distance between lens flange and film plane) is different.q

By Henry on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:42 am:

Yes, there is more to it than that. Not only must the mount be exchanged and the register reset but also the diaphragm linkage (and sometimes entire assembly) must be swapped.

All in all, if you don't have a donor Konica 28/2.5 to get the internal parts off of, I'd suggest selling the Canon mount lens and buying a Konica mount...those are getting rare.

Henry

By Leandro on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 10:12 am:

Different lenses do have their different mechanical designs. The aperture lever pins (and some other functions) are somewhat unique in every lenses. Canon is different from Nikon so as Nikon is different among the rest. The M42 is one of the quite universal among others. There are some who are selling adapters or they can also machine one for you, but they are very expensive. Before you get in any trouble, (look up, Henry´s message) sell it now and get a Konica mount lens.

Cheers,
Leandro

By Bill on Sunday, December 14, 2003 - 05:54 pm:

My 2 cents here, though no experience with this particular lens.

Independent makers tend to make the rear section of the lens a seperate module to attach to the main body. You may be able to exchange rear modules of your lenses.

My experience with a Kiron 80-200 makes this appear possible.

My experience with two, inexpensive TOU/FiveStar 75-200 lenses indicates that it is just a matter of swapping modules to turn a Pentax K lens to a Minolta MD mount and vice versa.

There may be some optical ramifications, as lens elements or lens groups may not be universally interchangeable even though the lenses are identical.

By Bill on Sunday, December 14, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

And if i had read your post more closely!!!

I would have said "for the same lens in differing mounts" i.e two 28s or two 70-210 Series 1 zooms.

By Mike Michaelski on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 10:15 am:

I agree with Bill! I have a disassembly/repair manual on the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 lens. The parts you need for a 28/F2.5 won't quite be the same as you will find on a 70-210/F3.5 zoom. If you can find another Vivitar WA for your camera the switch could be done, but you would wind up having to adjust the pin or notch if it was not already set to the max aperture that you want. Not for the faint of heart!
Mike

By steve on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 03:47 pm:

Any ideas where I could find a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 lens protective glass/ring and cap? Thanks