Vivitar 70210/3.5 Series 1 first-version, Kiron - posted in Nikon Lens Discussion: This lens was a break-through design, introduced in 1973. It was not cheap, over $300 street price. Compared with the Nikkor 80200/4.5, this lens was faster, greater zoom range, and added 1/2 life-size macro capability.
A new and updated Vivitar logo unveiled in 2016.Founded1938; 81 years ago ( 1938) (as Ponder and Best by Max Ponder and John Best),FoundersMax PonderJohn BestProductsCamera and photographic accessoriesSakar InternationalWebsiteVivitar Corporation was a manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of photographic and optical equipment originally based in,. Since 2008, the Vivitar name serves as Sakar International's house brand for digital imaging, optics, mobile accessories, and audio products. Vivitar Series 1 200mm ƒ/3, mid-1970sThe company was founded in 1938 as Ponder and Best by Max Ponder and John Best. Max Ponder headed the sales department, while John Best ran the operations side of the company. Ponder and Best first imported German-made photo equipment. After, the partnership began to import cameras and photographic equipment from Japan. They were instrumental in the introduction of many brands into the American market, including /Sekor 35mm cameras, OM-System 35mm equipment, Kobena 8mm movie cameras, Sankyo/Komura wide-angle/telephoto adapter lenses and a full line of photographic darkroom equipment imported from many manufacturers throughout Japan and later Taiwan.
They were also the sole U.S. Distributor for Olympus products at this time. Ponder and Best were the first to gain acceptance for lenses with interchangeable mounts, allowing customers to use the same lens on different manufacturers' camera bodies.In the early 1960s, the partners created the 'Vivitar' brand to compete with major lens manufacturers. The company commissioned experienced lens designers and reputable Japanese optical lens manufacturers such as to produce their lens designs.
By carefully positioning their limited product line with key photo retailers, they quickly built a reputation for good-quality lenses at modest prices. The retailers found that they could make good margins while giving good value. As their reputation grew, many contract lens manufacturers sought them out to carry their products under the Vivitar brand. In the 1970s, Vivitar introduced the Series 1 lenses. These computer-designed, state-of-the-art lenses were priced relatively low and often outperformed the optics of camera manufacturers of the day.After the success of its aftermarket lens line, Vivitar later introduced its own line of 35mm film cameras manufactured by Japanese companies such as. These include the Cosina-made Vivitar SLR and the Vivitar 35ES/EE series of rangefinder cameras.Vivitar also offered a new type of semi-professional flash unit from National/ called the Vivitar 260.
– The flash was acclaimed for its innovative design, but criticized for its use of expensive. Recognizing the problem, Max Ponder travelled to Japan to meet with the manufacturer, offering suggestions for improvements based on the feedback received from customers. The improved flash was introduced in 1970 as the Vivitar 283, which quickly became the number one professional and enthusiast flash unit, outselling all its competitors combined and selling 3,000,000 units by 1973. In production for over 30 years, it was twice returned to production in response to customer demand after having been discontinued. There was also the model 285, which featured a zoom head to cover different focal length lenses and a built-in variable power setting.
Earlier made-in-Japan Vivitar flashes have a trigger voltage of 250 V, which can damage the circuits of some digital cameras. Newer units made in China and Korea are low-voltage units producing 5 to 12 volts. The 283 and 285 have a removable sensor; an optional remote sensor cord makes off-camera automatic flash possible.After Ponder and Best After the deaths of Max Ponder and John Best, company ownership was transferred to a variety of owners.
Some digital compact cameras were launched but were not successful. In November 2006, the corporation was purchased by the Corporation for US$26 million in and was operated as a wholly owned. On August 21, 2008, subsequent to its filing for, parent company Syntax-Brillian completed the sale of the Vivitar and to maker Sakar International, based in. Sakar did not purchase Vivitar's equipment, facilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Current Vivitar operations. Low-end digital camera sold in 2011In August 2008, Sakar announced plans to position Vivitar as a brand for its current mass retail in the midprice range of $70–$300, along with certain camera accessories. New Vivitar-branded products such as are also planned, as well as potential licensing opportunities. In January 2009 Sakar introduced three new Vivitar-branded cameras and a digital SLR lens series.
The products are Sakar's first Vivitar-branded items since acquiring the brand. In addition to other electronics products, in 2013 they announced and then shipped the $150, a 7-inch tablet designed for children, with a bilingual English/Spanish interface. Vivitar lenses.
I saw no other thread nor post about these lenses, so I thought I´d spread the word about them. The 70-210 mm lenses are among the most popular lenses from the Vivitar Series 1, and came in severar versions. A great rundown of the versions is available here: Please login or register to view linksI own two of them, referred to as versions 1 and 3 in the link above.Please login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view linksVersion 1, here in Canon FD mountPlease login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view linksVersion 3, here in Nikon F mountThe Version 1 lens, made by Kiron, is really heavy and cumbersome to use on the X-E1, even with an added grip. It has a cool macro feature, where you put the lens at 210 mm and turn the barrel to align the two yellow 'MACRO' on the barrel. This changes the lens to focus with the zoom (pushing/pulling the focusing grip) and gives 1:2.2 reproduction, so fairly close to the 1:2 macro lenses widely available. I haven´t used it much, because of its size.The Version 3, made by Komine, feels much smaller. It also focuses pretty close (1:2.5), but without having to do anything special to the lens.
It has eight aperture blades (vs six for the Version 1) and is supposedly the sharpest version. Here are a few test shots, stopped down one stop (being a variable-aperture zoom, I don´t quite know the exact aperture, wide open always says 2.8 on the lens, for instance). No PP, straight from the camera.Please login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view linksAs spring has just started, the weather is still mostly overcast and boring. I plan to use the lens more extensively and keep updating the thread with any shots worth sharing. That´s a really nice shot! Nice combo of sharp and light subject with the darker and fuzzier fore- and background.I´ve taken the V3 on another outing (in nice weather this time) and it´s definitely a keeper. All shots at f/4 (which is probably around f/5.6 for some of them, as the FL was close to 210 mm)Please login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view links by Please login or register to view links, on FlickrPlease login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view links by Please login or register to view links, on FlickrPlease login or register to view linksPlease login or register to view links by Please login or register to view links, on Flickr.
Click to expand.that´s the same version i already have. I have tested with Xt1 and it´s great once you stopped to 5.6 (3.5 it´s a bit soft).and you have macro available 1:2 at 70mm.Mine was only 35 euros.so it´s a bargain fot that price.The cons.is not stabilized.so if you want to shoot at 200mm.at least you need 1/250.(handheld)I rarely use teles.so, for me it´s difficult to justify the price of a 55-200.and just for occasional use.i will stay with 70-210 vivitar.of course, with good light for reaching that speed 1/250 handheld.