Vivitar T-4 28mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle
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| Two variations in close-focus limit mount release catch visible top right image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
The Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle T-4 mount lens was marketed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) beginning in the late 1960s. It is one of the more commonly-encountered examples of the T-4 mount lens family.
Contents
T-4 series lenses could interchange mounts made to fit the most common SLR brands of the era. A lens review in the February/March 1969 issue of Camera 35 magazine notes the similarity of the Vivitar T-4 family to Soligor T-4 lenses. It is believed both the Vivitar and Soligor T-4 lenses were designed by Tokina with slight customizations made to the specifications of each company. The review had this to say about the 28mm:
The performance is impressive. Following today's wideangle lens design approach, it is a retrofocus seven element lens. Working with it is easy since it's both light and fairly compact. Tests show some slight vignetting which clears up completely at f/5.6. Contrast also improves at f/5.6-f/8, the two optimum apertures.[1]
Resolution Results from Camera 35 Review:
| Aperture | Center | Edges |
| f/2.8 | 40 | 28 |
| f/4 | 40 | 28 |
| f/5.6 | 56 | 40 |
| f/8 | 56 | 40 |
| f/11 | 48 | 34 |
| f/16 | 40 | 28 |
This lens exists in a few different production runs with minor differences, particularly in the minimum focusing distance. The initial T4 launch[2] seems to have had 9-digit serial numbers beginning 37800…, with examples of these limited to 1.5 feet/0.45 meters close focusing. Examples with 7-digit serial numbers will focus closer, typically 1.0 feet/0.3 meters. Least common is 0.8 feet/0.25 meters.[3] There are other minor cosmetic differences but the optical formula may well be consistent for all.
Specifications
- Badging: Vivitar
- Manufacturer: Tokina
- Manufacture Date: ca 1969
- Focal Length: 28mm
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/16
- Diaphragm Type: Automatic
- Diaphragm Blades: 8
- Filter Diameter: 58mm
- Minimum Focus: varies, discussed above
- Mounts: T-4 (adapters for Canon FL/Pellix, Exakta, M42, Nikon non-AI, Minolta SRT, Miranda Sensorex)
- Elements: 7
- Groups: 6
- Weight: 241g (8.5 oz)
- Accessories: metal front cap with raised Vivitar lettering
- Example Serial Numbers: 378004371, 379001097, 3713999
- Original Stock Number(s): 19-1043
Photos
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| Period advertising image by Bill Swinyard (Image rights) |
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| image by elxixco (Image rights) |
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| Vivitar T-4 28mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle image by elxixco (Image rights) |
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| image by elxixco (Image rights) |
References
- ↑ Vivitar Auto T-4 Lenses, Camera 35, Feb/Mar 1969 issue, pages 48-49
- ↑ As noted in the samples reviewed in early 1969 by Camera 35. These 37800… serial number lenses all seem to be engraved PATS.PEND on the inside face of the T4 mount, which is missing from some other examples.
- ↑ Example serial numbers: 3723085, 3727309.
Links
The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary - photografica by Robin Parmar
