Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Compatible T System
The Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Compatible T System lens was distributed by Ponder & Best (Vivitar) in the 1960s.
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Description
The Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 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 200mm f/3.5 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. A 1969 Cambridge Camera Exchange ad lists the Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 lens for $47.50[1] The September 1965 issue of Popular Photography lists the retail price of this lens at $80 USD.[2]
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.[3]
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.
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Tokina
- Manufacture Date: ca 1965?
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22
- Diaphragm Type: Preset
- Diaphragm Blades: 18
- Filter Diameter: 67mm
- Minimum Focus: 3.6 m (12 ft)
- Mounts: T Mount
- Elements: 5
- Groups: 4
- Weight: 624 g (22 oz)
- Accessories: Screw-on metal lens cap
- Example Serial Numbers: 66622 (v2), 66717 (v2) 67102 (v2), 67158 (v2), 67824 (v2), 68068 (v2), 68566 (v2), 70189 (v3), 70272 (v3), 78290 (v3), 89008 (v2 focus ring, unusual sn, possible prototype?)
- Original Stock Number(s): 20-1157
Photos
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 image by steevithak (Image rights) |
References
- ↑ Cambridge Camera Store ad, 1969
- ↑ Vivitar T, Popular Photography, Vol 57, No 3, Sep 1965, p 88
- ↑ Manual Focus Lens forum: Vivitar 200mm f3.5 18 blade--How Old Is It!?