OK, according to my lens table, two distinct 90mm lenses have a 62mm filter ring; both go 1:1 without adapters:
1. Vivitar Auto Macro 90/2.8 (also sold as a Panagor 90/2.8 and Elicar 90/2.5), 1:1, described by someone as "Significantly wider and a bit longer than Tamron 90/2.5AF”; sold (as the Vivitar) 1977-1980 2. Vivitar Tele Macro, 90/2.8 (1:1), 1986-?? Collected comments: Gary Schloss, Olympus archives, 24 March 1998: “Vivitar introduced a family of 3 macros: 55mm f/2.8 (1:1), 90mm f/2.8 (1:1), and 135mm f/2.8 (1:2). All three shared very similar mechanics (all take a 62mm filter), and were made by Komine. These are plain Vivitars, not ‘Series 1.’ All have brushed metal finish.” Gary Schloss, Jan. 1998: “The Kiron 105/2.8, Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5, and Vivitar 100/2.8 (all three essentially the same lens, made by Kino Precision) and Vivitar 90/2.8 (also sold as the Elicar 90/2.5; don’t know who made it) will all go 1:1 by themselves. All four are, IMHO, pro-grade glass. YMMV.” Martin Adam: “Vivitar made two 90mm macros around 1980, an f/2.8 that goes to 1:1 and an f/2.5 Series 1 that goes to 1:2. Both are excellent and can be found used at swaps for $100 to $160. Paul Frankenstein: “The Vivitar 90 mm f/2.8 macro is sharper than my Pentax 135 f/f2.5; I use them equally. They’re both great lenses.” Vivitar also made a non-Series 1 90/2.5 Macro [incorrect--Paul S.]; see above. Probably better than the Vivitar 90/2.5 because it uses a wider filter even though the max aperture is slower; but this could be because it’s 1:1. Craig Yuill: “A lens that has probably never quite gotten the respect it deserves. It produces sharp faraway and close-up shots. Good construction and finish. Plenty of easy-to-read markings. The ability to focus at 1X magnification was unique when it was introduced. Slightly less sharp and less contrasty than the Tamron 90/2.5 AF. Rating: Very Good–Excellent.” Gary Schloss, Olympus Discussion Site: “The Vivitar 55/2.8 (1:1), 90/2.8 (1:1), and 135/2.8 (1:2) were all released in the late 70s. All shared many components; close-to-identical barrels, grips, filter size (62 mm), etc. My personal impressions of the 90 and 135 are very positive.” Pentax discussion group Oct 2000: “And I can suggest one, another of the old-timers, the Vivitar 90 mm f/2.8 macro. Like the 135 mm close focus telephoto, it was pre-Series I and went out of production ca. 1980. Manual everything. 62 mm filter thread IIRC. Takes 1:1 w.o. doohickeys. I won't pretend I have paid close attention to its optical characteristics, but I've taken many a nice photo with one of these. Also takes beautiful portraits. Unlike the c.f. tele, this one is a true macro lens. -- flat field, presumably optimized for close-up work. I don't know that I've seen one on Ebay -- I got mine from KEH.” 3. Before introducing its ATX 90/2.5 macro (1:2, 1:1 with adapter) in 1986 (55mm filter ring, PKA setting), Tokina sold another 90/2.5 macro (1:2, no mention of an adapter), 1984 and 1985. I have no information on it. I've sent Boz a photo I had saved of one of the Vivitar 90/2.8s; I'm not sure which, but I'd say the older Auto Macro, as it looks old in a classic way. Paul Franklin Stregevsky - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
