Vivitar Compact Auto 135mm f/2.8 Bright Band

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The Vivitar Compact Auto 135mm f/2.8 Bright Band is a lens distributed by Ponder and Best (Vivitar) in the late 1960s. The compact name refers to its short length of 8.9 cm (3.5 inches).[1] Modern collectors refer to the Vivitar lens family to which this lens belongs as the "Bright Band" family because of the distinctive silver band around the lower part of the lens barrel. An earlier family of lenses based on the same mechanical configuration had chrome trim at the filter threads instead of the built-in lens hoods of the bright band family, thus gaining the name "chrome nose" family. Both families are believed to have been manufactured by Kino Precision, however this lens may be an exception. It uses a different serial number series (beginning "11") than the other Chrome Nose and Bright Band lenses. Unlike most bright band lenses, the Compact 135mm f/2.8 does not have an equivalent Chrome Nose ancestor; it first appeared as a member of the bright band family. Vivitar announced the availability of this new lens at the end of 1968.[2] The earliest Komine lens family appeared in the 1970s, so it's possible this was an early Komine-made lens. No conclusive evidence of the manufacturer has been found yet.

Specifications

  • Badging: Vivitar
  • Manufacturer: unknown
  • Manufacture Date: c.1969
  • Focal Length: 135 mm
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 - f/32
  • Diaphragm Type: Automatic
  • Diaphragm Blades: unknown
  • Filter Diameter: 55mm
  • Minimum Focus: 4.5 ft / 1.4m (~1:8.3 reproduction ratio)
  • Mounts: Canon FL, M42, Nikon
  • Elements: 4?
  • Groups: 4
  • Weight: 425 g (15 oz)
  • Accessories: built in retractable lens hood
  • Example Serial Numbers: 118111607, 118112033, 119061318, 119080013, 119091135
  • Original Stock Number(s): unknown


Photos


Notes

  1. The version for Canon FL mount must be longer due to those bodies' shorter flange focal distance.
  2. See this advertisement in the December 1968/January 1969 Camera 35 magazine; scan courtesy Jerry Vaci on Flickr.

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