Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom
The Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom is one of the longest lived zoom lenses marketed by Ponder & Best (later Vivitar)
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| Vivitar ad for 85-205mm f/3.8 Tele Zoom Chrome Nose image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Contents
Description
The Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Zoom is one of the longest lived zoom lenses marketed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar). The first version of the lens was announced in the late 1960s and the last version was still being sold over a decade later. The exterior of the lens was modified multiple times to match the appearance of the Vivitar lens family it was marketed with; initially the Chrome Nose family, later the Bright Band family and then all black versions with metal or rubber focus rings to match later lens families. The earliest versions were also available as preset T Mounts and included in the Vivitar Compatible T System Family. The T Mount version carried an unusually marked preset ring with a red triangle that signifies it as part what collectors refer to as the Pyramid Preset family of lenses. Most of the variations were simply cosmetic changes to the exterior hardware but one of the last versions of the lens included internal changes to allow closer focusing.
All versions of the lens are believed to have been manufactured by Kino Precision. The earliest model pre-date the standardized Vivitar serial numbers but all later models use the 22 prefix indicative of Kino Precision.
According to a Ponder and Best advertisement, the earliest version of the lens retailed for $260 USD in 1967.[1] The same ad lists the preset T-Mount variant of the lens for $180. Versions 1 through 3 were very short-lived and are now quite rare. Later versions are very common. Even the rarest versions have little resale value among modern collectors.
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: see below
- Original Stock Number(s): unknown
Variations
Version 1 Auto Fixed Mount
- Date: 1966
- Serial Numbers: n/a
The earliest automatic version of the lens is based on the external design of the Chrome Nose family, with a silver ring at the front tip of the lens and a silver zoom ring. The focusing ring is metal with alternate longitudinal ridges and flats. The bottom grip area has a bumpy plastic covering.
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| Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Version 1 image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Version 1 Preset T Mount
- Date: 1966
- Serial Numbers: n/a
The earliest preset T Mount version of the lens is based on the external design of the Chrome Nose family, with a silver ring at the front tip of the lens and a silver zoom ring. The focusing ring is metal with alternate longitudinal ridges and flats. The top section of bottom grip area is used for the aperture preset rings. The upper preset ring has a small window to show the preset aperture. The lower preset ring has a distinctive graphic showing a red triangle inside a white direction indicator. The remainder of the bottom grip area is smooth black metal.
Version 2 Auto Fixed Mount
- Date: 1966 - 1967
- Serial Numbers: 30980
The second version is identical to version 1 except metal focus ring now has longitudinal ridges only, the flats are gone.
Version 2 Preset T Mount
- Date: 1966 - 1967
- Serial Numbers: 29479
The second version is identical to version 1 except metal focus ring now has longitudinal ridges only, the flats are gone.
Version 3 Auto Fixed Mount
- Date: 1967 - 1968
- Serial Numbers: 22xxxxxx
The second automatic version of the lens is based on the external design of the Bright Band family. The Silver ring at the front tip of the lens has been removed to make room for a black built-in extendible lens hood. The silver zoom ring remains, matching the bright silver bands of the members of the lens family. The focusing ring is metal with longitudinal ridges. The bottom grip area has a bumpy plastic covering.
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| Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Version 3 image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Version 3 Preset T Mount
- Date: 1968 - 1969 (approximate)
- Serial Numbers: 22830049
The second preset T Mount version of the lens is based on the external design of the Bright Band family. The Silver ring at the front tip of the lens has been removed to make room for a black built-in extendible lens hood. The silver zoom ring remains, matching the bright silver bands of the members of the lens family. The focusing ring is metal with longitudinal ridges. The top section of bottom grip area is used for the aperture preset rings. The upper preset ring has a small window to show the preset aperture. The lower preset ring has a distinctive graphic showing a red triangle inside a white direction indicator. The remainder of the bottom grip area is smooth black metal.
Version 4
- Date: 1970 - 1973 (approximate)
- Serial Numbers: 22012969 - 22330184 (approximate)
Starting with Version 4, the T Mount variation has been discontinued and only fixed mount automatic aperture is offered. The lens is now all black, to match the coloring of the other Vivitar lens families. The built-in lens hood remains, as does the metal focus ring with longitudinal ridges. The zoom ring is now black with a diamond grip pattern. The bottom grip area has a bumpy plastic covering.
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| Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Version 4 image by Nesster (Image rights) |
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| Vivitar 85-205mm f/3.8 Version 4 image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Version 5
- Date: 1973 - 1974 (approximate)
- Serial Numbers: 22337475 - 22442143 (approximate)
The focus ring, zoom ring, and bottom grip area are all covered with black diamond grip rubber. Like previous changes, this allows the lens to match the current Vivitar lens families.
Version 6
- Date: 1975 - 1977 (approximate)
- Serial Numbers: 22500780 - 22710532 (approximate)
The exterior design is the same as Version 5 but there have been internal changes to the optics to allow close focusing.
