Auto Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose
Vivitar ad for 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
The Auto Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose is a fixed-mount lens distributed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) in the late 1960s. This is the first fixed-mount Vivitar 200mm lens. Modern collectors refer to the Vivitar lens family which this lens is a part of as the "Chrome Nose" family because of the distinctive chrome band around the front edge of the lens. There is also a bright silver band located near the base of the lens. A later family of lenses based on the same mechanical configuration dropped the chrome nose to make room for a built-in lens hood but retained the lower bright silver band, thus becoming known as the bright band family. Another distinguishing feature of the Chrome Nose family is a lens coating that results in a noticeable blue tint to the lens surfaces. The blue tint is often evident in photos of Chrome Nose lenses. Both families are believed to have been manufactured by Kino Precision.[1] A 1967 Wall St. Camera Exchange ad lists the street price of the Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 at $78.50 USD.[2]
Contents
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Kino Precision
- Manufacture Date: 1967
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22
- Diaphragm Type: Automatic
- Diaphragm Blades: 8
- Filter Diameter: 62mm
- Minimum Focus: 2.3 m (7.5 ft)
- Mounts: Canon FL, M42, Nikon
- Elements: 4
- Groups: 3
- Weight: unknown
- Accessories: A matching 62mm lens shade was included with each lens, an optional leather case was available
- Example Serial Numbers: 200139, 200220, 201536
- Original Stock Number(s): 21-441 (Pentax/M42), 21-533 (Canon Pellex, FX, FP, FT, QL), 21-632 (Nikon F)[3]
Photos
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Chrome Nose image by steevithak (Image rights) |
References
- ↑ Vivitar Chrome Nose Lenses made by Kiron. Photo evidence
- ↑ Wall Street Camera Exchange ad, 1967
- ↑ Vivitar Preset Lenses, brochure, Ponder & Best, August, 1967, page B-5