Vivitar 35EE

Vivitar 35EE image by Kong Zi (Image rights)

The Vivitar 35EE is a 35mm rangefinder camera with automatic exposure, rebadged to Vivitar specifications from the Cosina Cosina 35 in the mid-1970s. It is a simpler version of the Vivitar 35ES with a slower lens. The design owes a debt to the Konica C35 and Minolta Hi-Matic G. It also has a lot in common with the Mamiya 135 EE. Available in all black, or chrome with black covering, this camera was also rebadged with minor changes as the Chinon 35EE, Revue 400S, GAF Memo ET, Argus Cosina 35 and the Prinz 35E from Dixons.

Specifications

• Lens: 38mm f/2.8 (4 elements, 3 groups) with 46mm filter thread.
• Focusing Range: 0.9m to infinity.
• Auto-exposure via CdS "electric eye" above lens.
• Shutter speeds: 1/30-1/650s, plus B (only at f/2.8).
• Film speed: ISO 25-400.
• Viewfinder info: Brightline frame, parallax correction marks, overexposure and underexposure warning zones, with indicated approximate combined shutter speed and aperture (f/2.8 to f/14) selection shown by needle.
• Flashmatic system with X-sync on hot shoe and PC-socket @ 1/25s. (Guide number scale on sticker on camera back).
• Battery: Originally took a PX625 mercury cell. A zinc air equivalent or a higher voltage alkaline button battery can be used.

Photos

Meter cell and lens image by Carl Pawlowski (Image rights)

Vivitar 35EE (back) image by Paul Riismandel (Image rights)

Vivitar 35EE image by Paul Riismandel (Image rights)

Links

• Chinon 35 / 35EE Instruction Manual - Butkus.org
• Lionel's Vivitar 35EE page, with french text, English specs.