Vivitar: История американского производителя фото- и оптики.

American manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of photographic and optical equipment

Vivitar Corporation is a manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of photographic and optical equipment originally based in Santa Monica, California. Since 2008, the Vivitar name serves as Sakar International's house brand for digital imaging, optics, mobile accessories, and audio products.

The company's product line has included 35 mm SLR cameras, zoom lenses, flashes, film enlargers, binoculars, digital cameras, night vision products, point and shoot cameras, tripods, underwater cameras, smart home technology, health and wellness accessories, and other audio/video equipment.

The 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 World War II, 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 Mamiya/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 Kino Precision 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 lenses were priced relatively low and claimed to out perform 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 Cosina. 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/Panasonic called the Vivitar 260. The flash was acclaimed for its innovative design, but criticized for its use of expensive 9 volt batteries. 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 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 public company Syntax Brillian Corporation for US$26 million in stock and was operated as a wholly owned subsidiary. On August 21, 2008, subsequent to its filing for bankruptcy, parent company Syntax Brillian completed the sale of the Vivitar brand name and intellectual property to privately held consumer electronics maker Sakar International, based in Edison, New Jersey. Sakar did not purchase Vivitar's equipment, facilities or accounts receivable. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In August 2008, Sakar announced plans to position Vivitar as a brand for its current mass retail digital cameras in the midprice range of $70–$300, along with certain camera accessories. New Vivitar branded products such as digital photo frames 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 XO Tablet, a 7 inch Android tablet designed for children, with a bilingual English/Spanish interface.

Vivitar manual focus zoom lensesUltrawide Wide Normal Telephoto Ultratelephoto Series Maker Notes Image 17 28mm 4 4.5 Samyang 19 35mm 3.5 4.5 Cosina 24 48mm 3.8 Series 1 Kiron 24 70mm 3.8 4.8 Series 1 Cosina 28 80mm 3.5 4.5 RL edition Kobori Macro focusing zoom MC, 62mm filter size 28 105mm 2.8 3.8 Series 1 Cosina 28 200mm 3.5 5.3 Kobori 28 210mm 3.5 5.6 Cosina 28 50mm 3.8 4.8 RL edition Komine 28 70mm 3.5 4.8 Cosina 28 85mm 2.8 3.8 KironVari focal zoom 28 85mm 3.5 4.5 Kobori 28 90mm 2.8 3.5 Series 1 Komine 35 70mm 2.8 3.8 Komine 35 70mm 3.5 Komine 35 85mm 2.8 Series 1 KironVari focal zoom 35 105mm 3.5 TokinaClose focus, fixed mount and TX versions available 35 200mm 3 4.5 KoboriMacro 55 135mm 3.5 TokinaT4 mount 70 150mm 3.8 Kiron1 and 2 touch zoom TokinaTX mount 70 210mm 2.8 4 Series 1 KomineEarly versions CosinaLater versions. Lens review 70 210mm 3.5 Series 1 Kiron67mm versions Tokina62mm versions. Lens review 70 210mm 4.5 KoboriMacro 70 210mm 4 5.6 Cosina 75 205mm 3.8 Kiron1 and 2 touch 75 205mm 3.5 4.5 TokinaMacro focusing 75 260mm 4.5 TokinaT4 & TX mounts 75 300mm 4.5 5.6 Kobori 80 200mm 4 TokinaTX 80 200mm 4.5 Kiron, Komine, and KoboriDifferent models. Manufacturer distinguished by serial number. 85 205mm 3.8 KironPreset T mount and automatic diaphragm fixed mount versions 90 230mm 4.5 TokinaT4 and close focus TX versions 90 180mm 4.5 Series 1 KironFlat Field 100 200mm 4 Komine 100 300mm 5 TokinaTX mount 100 500mm 5.6 8 Cosina 120 600mm 8 KoboriLens review 650 1300mm 8 16 SamyangT mount

Vivitar Series 1 19 35mm ƒ/3.5 4.5 (made by Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 28 70mm ƒ/2.8 (Sigma)
Vivitar Series 1 28 70mm ƒ/3.5 4.8 SC (self contained; requires three AAA batteries to operate)
Vivitar 28 80mm f3.5 5.6
Vivitar 28 105mm ƒ/2.8 4.0
Vivitar Series 1 28 210mm ƒ/4.2 6.5
Vivitar 28 300mm ƒ/4 6.3 (Cosina)
Vivitar 35 70mm f3.5 4.5
Vivitar Series 1 75 200mm ƒ/4.5 SC (self contained; requires three AAA batteries to operate)
Vivitar Series 1 70 210mm ƒ/2.8 (Sigma)
Vivitar Series 1 70 210mm ƒ/2.8 4.0
Vivitar Series 1 70 210mm ƒ/2.8 4.0 APO
Vivitar 70 210mm ƒ/4.5 5.6 (Cosina)
Vivitar Series 1 70 300 ƒ/4.5 5.6
Vivitar 100mm ƒ/3.5 Macro (made by Cosina)
Vivitar 100 300mm ƒ/5.6 6.7 (Cosina)
Vivitar 100 400mm ƒ/4.5 6.7 (Cosina)
Vivitar 200mm ƒ/3.5 (self contained; requires three AAA batteries to operate) (Komine and Cosina)