Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Compatible T System

From Camera-wiki.org
Revision as of 10:42, 20 June 2017 by Hanskerensky (talk | contribs) (→‎Links: Re-Instated Link URL, Redirected Link URL to archived version)
Jump to: navigation, search

The Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Compatible T System lens was distributed by Ponder & Best (Vivitar) in the 1960s.

6980173021_05c47e66d3_z.jpg
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), 77164 (v3), 78290 (v3), 89008 (v2 focus ring, unusual sn, possible prototype?)
  • Original Stock Number(s): 20-1157


Photos

6980171513_6ab10bbee5_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)
6834045028_1ed909856e_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)
6834044820_ddcaabdffb_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)
6980172815_3b674d4f7e_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)


6834044270_e5b8525ca4_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)
6834045154_841d4f3dd4_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)
6834044592_1626d42f9f_m.jpg
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5
image by steevithak (Image rights)


References

  1. ↑ Cambridge Camera Store ad, 1969
  2. ↑ Vivitar T, Popular Photography, Vol 57, No 3, Sep 1965, p 88
  3. ↑ Manual Focus Lens forum: Vivitar 200mm f3.5 18 blade--How Old Is It!?

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Vivitar_200mm_f/3.5_Compatible_T_System&oldid=181178"