Quick answer
The Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom is a wide-angle to short telephoto zoom lens covering 35-85mm 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
This 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 manual-focus standard zoom lens from Vivitar fits M42 mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.
Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom specifications
What can you shoot with the Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom?
At 35-85mm this is a wide-angle to short telephoto zoom, which typically suits:
- Landscapes and cityscapes
- Street and travel photography
- Environmental portraits and interiors
- Everyday and street photography
- Natural-perspective portraits
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 | 35–85mm | 23.9–54.4° | 28.6–63.4° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 53–128mm | 16.1–37.8° | 19.3–44.8° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 70–170mm | 12.1–28.8° | 14.5–34.3° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom 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 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom?
It zooms across 35-85mm with a maximum aperture of f/3.5. That makes it a wide-angle to short telephoto lens.
Is the Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a zoom lens covering 35-85mm, so you can reframe without moving. Its maximum aperture is f/3.5.
What is the Vivitar 35-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Auto Zoom equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 53–128mm on full frame, with a 16.1–37.8° horizontal and 19.3–44.8° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 70–170mm on full frame, with a 12.1–28.8° horizontal and 14.5–34.3° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Alternatives for M42 from other brands
All M42 lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
More Vivitar lenses for M42
All Vivitar lensesOther 35-85mm lenses
Browse by focal length: 35mm lenses, 85mm lenses