Vivitar 35mm f/1.9
The Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 Auto Wide-Angle lens was marketed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) in the mid 1970s.
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| Vivitar 1974 ad for 35mm f/1.9 image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Description
The Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 Auto Wide-Angle lens was marketed by Ponder and Best (later Vivitar) in the mid 1970s. Based on what's known about Vivitar serial numbers of this era, it's likely the lens was made by Komine. 35mm f/1.9 lenses were relatively unusual at this time. P&B took out a number of full-page ads in print magazines for the 35mm f/1.9 in 1974 that emphasized the lens as an inexpensive replacement for a the normal 50mm lens most photographers used. The primary advantage over a standard 50mm claimed in the ads, was the increased depth of field, allowing the photographer to preset the focus at 7 ft and have everything from 5 ft to 15 ft in perfect focus (at f/11). The increased speed of f/1.9 was considered essential if the lens was to be a replacement for the 50mm in available light photography. The lens is very well known even today and despite being quite common and originally inexpensive, it generally fetches a high price from collectors.
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Komine
- Manufacture Date: 1974
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Aperture Range: f/1.9 - f/16
- Diaphragm Type: Automatic
- Diaphragm Blades: unknown
- Filter Diameter: 55mm
- Minimum Focus: 30.5 cm (12 in)
- Mounts: Canon FL/FD, Nikon F, Pentax M42, Minolta, and Konica
- Elements: 8
- Groups: 6
- Weight: 340 g (12 oz)
- Accessories: unknown
- Example Serial Numbers: 28305968, 28407356
- Original Stock Number(s): unknown
Photos
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| Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, Canon FD image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
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| Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, Canon FD image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
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| Vivitar 1974 ad for 35mm f/1.9 image by Bryan Costin (Image rights) |
