Quick answer
The Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle is a ultra-wide prime lens covering 17mm at f/3.5 for the M42 mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
About this lens
A 17mm f/3.5 manual-focus wide-angle prime lens, the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle is designed for M42 mount bodies. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle specifications
What can you shoot with the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle?
At 17mm this is a ultra-wide prime, which typically suits:
- Landscapes and big skies
- Architecture and interiors
- Astrophotography and night skies
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 17mm | 93.3° | 103.7° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 26mm | 70.4° | 80.6° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 34mm | 55.8° | 64.9° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle use?
It uses the M42 mount, so it fits M42 cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle?
It is a fixed 17mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5. That makes it a ultra-wide lens.
Is the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 17mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/3.5.
What is the Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 26mm on full frame, with a 70.4° horizontal and 80.6° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 34mm on full frame, with a 55.8° horizontal and 64.9° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
