Vivitar T-4 105mm f/2.8 Telephoto
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| Vivitar T-4 105mm f/2.8 Telephoto image by luisalegria (Image rights) |
The Vivitar 105mm f/2.8 Telephoto T-4 mount lens was marketed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) starting in late 1969.[1]
Contents
This lens was part of a family of T-4 mount lenses. Mount adapters were available for the most commonly used SLR mounts of the era. A lens review in the February/March 1969 issue of Camera 35 magzine notes the similarity to Soligor's T-4 lens series. It is believed the both the Vivitar and Soligor T-4 lenses were designed by Tokina with slight customizations made to the specifications of each company.
Obviously the growing number of different systems providing interchangeable automatic lenses proves the popularity and success of the basic concept. One of the new entries is The Vivitar T-4 system that was designed in conjunction with Soligor. Not only are the mount adapters alike, but the lenses themselves appear very similar. The Vivitars have more black finish and hardly any chrome trim to speak of.[2]
Today this lens may be found prone to lubricant migrating and gumming up the aperture blades. Many copies of this lens begin with 9-digit serial numbers beginning 37900… as with the T4 21mm lens which was another later addition to the T4 lineup. There also appears to be an additional production run with seven-digit serial numbers (also seen with other T4 lenses).
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Tokina
- Manufacture Date: ca 1969
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/22
- Diaphragm Type: Automatic
- Diaphragm Blades: 8
- Filter Diameter: 49mm
- Minimum Focus: 1.5m (5 feet)
- Mounts: T-4 (adapters for Canon FL, Exakta, M42, Nikon, Pellix, Minolta SRT, Miranda Sensorex)
- Elements: 4
- Groups: 4
- Weight: unknown
- Accessories: built-in retractable lens hood
- Example Serial Numbers: 379001097, 379004031, 3702790
- Original Stock Number(s): unknown
Notes
- ↑ It was not one of the original seven lenses advertised in July 1969 but is present in the lineup by November.
- ↑ Vivitar Auto T-4 Lenses, Camera 35, Feb/Mar 1969 issue, pages 48-49 Their sample lenses, presumed to be among the earliest production, feature 9-digit 37800… serial numbers.
See Also
Links
Vivitar 105mm f/2.8 used as a macro lens - Digital Grin Photography
