Vivitar's Macro 90mm f/2.8 — a respected third-party M42 macro short telephoto.
The Vivitar Macro 90mm f/2.8 is a macro short-telephoto prime sold under the Vivitar brand in M42 mount. The 90mm macro, associated with the well-regarded Series 1 line in some versions, was built by selected Japanese makers and is one of the more respected Vivitar lenses for close-up work.
This is a manual-focus M42 screw-mount lens with a 90mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, designed for close-up work with an extended focus range, typically to a 1:1 or 1:2 reproduction ratio depending on version. Focus and aperture are set by hand. Exact reproduction and element figures are not asserted here beyond the verified focal length and aperture.
The 90mm macro focal length gives comfortable working distance for close-up subjects such as flowers, insects and small objects, and doubles as a short telephoto for portraits with pleasant rendering. Vivitar macros of this type are respected for high sharpness in the close range, making it a capable dual-purpose lens.
Used copies are sought after among Vivitar glass and priced above the ordinary line, with quality varying by maker. Inspect for haze, fungus and cleaning marks, confirm the aperture is clean and oil-free, and check the extended focus helicoid for smooth even travel. Verify the M42 mount. An M42 adapter makes it an excellent manual macro on mirrorless.