Vivitar 17-28mm f/4-4.5 Reviews

I PICKED THIS LENS UP USED FOR THIRTY BUCKS TO TIDE ME OVER UNTIL I COULD AFFORD A 20MM F3.5 FOR MY F3. GUESS WHAT? I WONT BE NEEDING TO UPGRADE. THE VIVITAR 17-28 IS A DANDY, PRODUCING 8X10 ILFOCHROMES OF EXCELLENT QUALITY. YAH, THERE IS A BIT OF DISTORTION ON STRAIGHT LINES, BUT THIS IS NOT EXCESSIVE OR EVEN NOTICABLE ON LANDSCAPES. I RECENTLY EXHIBITED SOME PHOTOS AT THE ART GALLERY IN PRINCE GEORGE. INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBIT WERE TWO 5X7 ILFOS MADE WITH THIS LENS. THEY WERE INDISTINGUISHABLE IN QUALITY FROM CHROMES MADE WITH OTHER LENSES, MOSTLY ZUIKOS AND NIKKORS. IF YOU PICK ONE OF THESE UP, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS THAT REGULAR FILTERS VIGNETTE AT 17MM. I HAVEN'T ANY THINS IN THIS SIZE SO I CANT INFORM YOU ON THIS FOR B&W FANS.ALSO, I'VE MADE NO ENLARGEMENTS BIGGER THAN 8X10 WITH THIS LENS, BUT I DONT USUALLY DO THIS WITH 35MM FILM ANYWAY, SO FOR ME THIS IS A MOOT POINT. OTHERWISE, THE VIVITAR IS A WINNER. GORD