Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8

The Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8 lens is a rare telephoto lens marketed by Ponder & Best.

Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8 lens image by steevithak (Image rights)

Description

The "Vivitar Professional" name was only applied to a few, rare lenses marketed by Ponder & Best (aka Vivitar). The most well known example is Vivitar Professional 135mm f/1.5. The 180mm f/2.8 is even more rare. It is not known how many of this model lens were produced. Only one example of the Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8 is documented (see photos on this page) and it is believed to be a prototype. The serial number is 1000002, suggesting that at least one other copy may have existed. The date of manufacture is unknown, as is the identify of the manufacturer; however, the lens is marked "Made in Japan". The known example was obtained in 2011 from a Mister Money pawn shop in Caper, WY and was attached to a Honeywell Spotmatic SP camera. The store owner had no record of who pawned the equipment or when and considerd the lens of inconsequential value compared to the camera.

Specifications

• Badging: Vivitar Professional
• Manufacturer: unknown
• Manufacture Date: unknown
• Focal Length: 180mm
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/32
• Diaphragm Type: Preset /Automatic (selectable)
• Diaphragm Blades: 8
• Filter Diameter: 86mm
• Minimum Focus: 1.38 meters (6 feet)
• Mounts: M42
• Elements: unknown
• Groups: unknown
• Weight: 1,408 g (3lbs 1.7oz)
• Accessories: tripod mounting ring and retractable hood
• Example Serial Numbers: 1000002
• Original Stock Number(s): unknown

Photos

image by steevithak (Image rights)

image by steevithak (Image rights)

image by steevithak (Image rights)

image by steevithak (Image rights)

Links

• Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8 lens, a flickr gallery: photos of the lens and taken with the lens.
• Manual Focus Lens Forum: Vivitar Professional 180mm f/2.8