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Quick answer
The Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC is a wide-angle to short telephoto zoom lens covering 35-85mm at f/2.8 for the M42 mount. Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
About this lens
The Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC is a fast manual-focus standard zoom lens covering 35-85mm at f/2.8 for M42 mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.
Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC specifications
What can you shoot with the Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC?
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 bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
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 Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC 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 Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC?
It zooms across 35-85mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. That makes it a wide-angle to short telephoto lens.
Is the Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC 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/2.8.
What is the Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 VMC 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