Difference between revisions of "Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom"
Steevithak (talk | contribs) (started new page image from our pool) |
Steevithak (talk | contribs) m (→Description: not about focus ring variations) |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
=Description= | =Description= | ||
The Auto Vivitar Tele Zoom 85-205mm f/3.8 Chrome Nose is a lens distributed by [[Vivitar|Ponder and Best (Vivitar)]] in the 1960s. Modern collectors refer to the Vivitar lens family which this lens is a part of as the "Chrome Nose" family because of the distinctive chrome band around the front edge of the lens. There is also a bright silver band located near the base of the lens. A later family of lenses based on the same mechanical configuration dropped the chrome nose to make room for a built-in lens hood but retained the lower bright silver band, thus becoming known as the bright band family. Both families are believed to have been manufactured by [[Kino|Kino Precision]].<ref>[http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=30239 Vivitar Chrome Nose Lenses made by Kiron. Photo evidence]</ref> According to a Ponder and Best advertisement, this lens retailed for $260 USD in 1967.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/6543062535/in/pool-camerawiki April 1967 Vivitar ad for 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom Chrome Nose lens]</ref> The ad also suggests an earlier preset T-Mount variant of this lens existed and was sold for $180 as part of the Vivitar Compatible T System Family. | The Auto Vivitar Tele Zoom 85-205mm f/3.8 Chrome Nose is a lens distributed by [[Vivitar|Ponder and Best (Vivitar)]] in the 1960s. Modern collectors refer to the Vivitar lens family which this lens is a part of as the "Chrome Nose" family because of the distinctive chrome band around the front edge of the lens. There is also a bright silver band located near the base of the lens. A later family of lenses based on the same mechanical configuration dropped the chrome nose to make room for a built-in lens hood but retained the lower bright silver band, thus becoming known as the bright band family. Both families are believed to have been manufactured by [[Kino|Kino Precision]].<ref>[http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=30239 Vivitar Chrome Nose Lenses made by Kiron. Photo evidence]</ref> According to a Ponder and Best advertisement, this lens retailed for $260 USD in 1967.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/6543062535/in/pool-camerawiki April 1967 Vivitar ad for 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom Chrome Nose lens]</ref> The ad also suggests an earlier preset T-Mount variant of this lens existed and was sold for $180 as part of the Vivitar Compatible T System Family. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Variations''' Earliest versions of this lens had a focusing ring with alternating flats and longitudinal ridges. Later versions dropped the alternating flats and had only longitudinal ridges. A similar shift in the appearance of the focus ring is seen in Vivitar's Compatible T System family of lenses around the same time. | ||
| + | |||
=Specifications= | =Specifications= | ||
{{lens_spec | {{lens_spec | ||
Revision as of 17:24, 26 December 2011
The Auto Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Chrome Nose is a len distributed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) in the 1960s.
|
| Vivitar ad for 85-205mm f/3.8 Tele Zoom Chrome Nose image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Description
The Auto Vivitar Tele Zoom 85-205mm f/3.8 Chrome Nose is a lens distributed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) in the 1960s. Modern collectors refer to the Vivitar lens family which this lens is a part of as the "Chrome Nose" family because of the distinctive chrome band around the front edge of the lens. There is also a bright silver band located near the base of the lens. A later family of lenses based on the same mechanical configuration dropped the chrome nose to make room for a built-in lens hood but retained the lower bright silver band, thus becoming known as the bright band family. Both families are believed to have been manufactured by Kino Precision.[1] According to a Ponder and Best advertisement, this lens retailed for $260 USD in 1967.[2] The ad also suggests an earlier preset T-Mount variant of this lens existed and was sold for $180 as part of the Vivitar Compatible T System Family.
Variations Earliest versions of this lens had a focusing ring with alternating flats and longitudinal ridges. Later versions dropped the alternating flats and had only longitudinal ridges. A similar shift in the appearance of the focus ring is seen in Vivitar's Compatible T System family of lenses around the same time.
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Kino Precision
- Manufacture Date: ca 1967
- Focal Length: 135mm
- Aperture Range: f/3.8 - f/22 w/half stops
- Diaphragm Type: Automatic
- Diaphragm Blades: unknown
- Filter Diameter: 58mm
- Minimum Focus: unknown
- Mounts: Canon FL, M42, Nikon
- Elements: 13
- Groups: 9
- Weight: 28oz
- Accessories: unknown
- Example Serial Numbers: unknown
- Original Stock Number(s): unknown
Photos
