Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Compatible T System

Vivitar 135mm f/2.8
image by steevithak (Image rights)

The Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Compatible T System lens was distributed by Ponder & Best (Vivitar) in the 1960s. Ponder & Best designated the family to which this lens belongs as the "Compatible T System". With only one exception, the Compatible T System family consisted of prime lenses, including mostly long telephoto lenses. The 135mm f/2.8 lens is a preset T mount lens marked "Made in Japan" and was manufactured by the company now known as Tokina but known at that time as Tokyo Koki. The September 1965 issue of Popular Photography lists the retail price of this lens at $60 USD.^[1] At some point prior to 1974, this lens was dropped from the Vivitar line and replaced with the 135mm f/2.8 Type 2. The exact date and reason for the replacement are unknown.

Variants

Version 1 (early/mid 1960s) - The earliest version of the lens had a metal focus ring with alternating flats and longitudinal ridges. It was badged as a P&B Vivitar. This version is rare.

Version 2 (mid 1960s) - The second version of the lens retained the metal focus ring with alternating flats and longitudinal ridges but switched to Vivitar badging, dropping the P&B. This version is rare.

Version 3 (late 1960s - early 1970s?) - The final version of the lens had a metal focus ring with longitudinal ridges only and a Vivitar badge (pictured on this page). This is the version most commonly found today.