Tele Vivitar variations (135mm f2.8 example)

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

My new Tele Vivitar 135mm f2.8 lens arrived today. It has 15 blades, is a very nice example of this lens, and I like the lens. However I was initially dismayed following purchase when I discovered I had, because of carelessness, oversight, and a large dose of excitement (I've been wanting one of these for a couple of years), bought (what I'll call) version 2 of this lens. I thought others who enjoy this series of early Vivitar preset lenses might be interested to see what I bought, versus (what I'll call) a version 1 Tele Vivitar 135mm f2.8 preset lens:

A photo of what I'm calling version 1 can be viewed here:

http://boggys.myzen.co.uk/pdfmaster/Vivitar_T-Mount_Preset_Lenses_DS_400dpi.pdf

A photo of the version 2 lens I just bought can be seen here, but you must ignore the photos at the top and scroll down instead:

Click here to see on Ebay then click see original listing

Comparing the two lenses, both nominally Tele Vivitar 135mm f2.8 lenses, we notice any number of differences. For example on the version 1 lens the infinity symbol is on the left, on the version 2 lens it is on the right. As between the two lenses the focus grips are different, and so forth.

Manufacturers of these early lenses are not known. The lenses predate the (later) Vivitar manufacturer ID number system. However, I think the version 1 and version 2 lenses might not have been manufactured by the same company.

A question I found interesting is this: Does this version 1/version 2 thing exist for all the Tele Vivitar presets?

I don't know the answer to that, but if you examine the 135mm f3.5 lens in the first reference, it appears quite similar, in terms of style, to the lens I just bought.

I'm sorry I do not have photo links. But I can recall with, I think it was the 600mm Tele Vivitar lens, encountering variations in style as well.

The longest focal length Tele Vivitar I own is the 400mm, but the hunt goes on for the longer lenses. These are somewhat rare and quite expensive, so collectors would be wise to be on lookout for variants before buying. Be certain you are buying the version you really want.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

It seems Vivitar bought product from several vendors, as did the rest of the resellers of the day.
Soligor(allied Impex) had quite a zoo of suppliers, it seems buying the same specification from several makers at the same time.

On your Vivitar preset lens catalog pdf, for instance, the 28/2.5 is definitely a Kiron because this is the preset version of the well known Kiron made auto lens (Vivitars Kiron serial number). The 600/8 with the "gunsight" is the Tokina, otherwise seen as a Tele-Tokina. So I think there may be some more variation in makers across even this snapshot of the Vivitar products of the time.

I have a Vivitar 135/3.5 that doesn't match the one in the PDF also (I need to find it), and a 180/3.5 that isn't in your catalog. I had the very distinctive 200/3.5 in the catalog, also the 85/1.8, and still have the 300/5.6.

So I'm not sure there is a version 1 and 2 - there certainly seem to be several versions of some things.

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

Thanks, Luis. This is only MHO:

I think the catalog PDF is depicting the line as it existed early on, at a time only shortly following Ponder & Best having shifted more decisively to the "Vivitar" brand. As you know, some of the very early Ponder & Best lenses were essentially dual branded. As such, some later additions to the Tele Vivitar line might not be showing in the brochure, e.g., your 180mm lens.

The key goal of the OP though, for those who enjoy the Tele Vivitars, is to raise awareness of variations from early to later. Just because it says "Tele Vivitar" on the name ring does not mean you are looking at the version of the lens for which you might be searching. Shop carefully. Wink

Finally, Luis:

I am blown away that you once owned the 85mm. Those lenses are made of "un-obtanium"! When they do show up, prices are stratospheric. I don't expect ever to own that lens, but IF I did I'd never, ever, let it go!

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

The 85s certainly arent common, but I wouldnt say unobtanium.
Not cheap of course. I lucked into it while looking for other things.
I dont collect this line, I have to stop somewhere!

Theres one on ebay right now.

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

I have stumbled across additional information on the lens types mentioned in the OP. It seems others have researched this far better than myself. The lens I just bought, for example, is the original version! This puts the lie to what I wrote up thread. I was wrong.

In addition, there are even more versions of this 135mm preset than I realized . . though I've never run across the less common ones with the flats. Anyway, all is explained as follows:

Here is a link to the original lens. This is the lens I bought:

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Vivitar_135mm_f/2.8_Compatible_T_System

As you can see, of this original lens there are three versions. If anyone has a copy of version 1 or of version 2 I would love to see a photo of your lens. I have never seen either one . . ever. I was unaware (until now) that the version 1 and version 2 lenses even existed.

Here now is a link to the newer Type 2 Vivitar preset lenses, still 135mm f/2.8.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Vivitar_135mm_f/2.8_Compatible_T_System_Type_2

Noteworthy are the extra markings for teleconverter use. My lens does not have those markings.

Gyles · Joined: 14 Jul 2012 Posts: 22