Quick answer
The Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto is a standard prime lens covering 50mm at f/1.8 for the M42 mount. Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
About this lens
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto: a fast manual-focus standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for M42 mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto specifications
What can you shoot with the Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto?
At 50mm this is a standard prime, which typically suits:
- Everyday and street photography
- Natural-perspective portraits
- Documentary and travel work
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
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 | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 75mm | 27° | 32.2° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 100mm | 20.4° | 24.4° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto 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 50mm f/1.8 Auto?
It is a fixed 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8. That makes it a standard lens.
Is the Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 50mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/1.8.
What is the Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 75mm on full frame, with a 27° horizontal and 32.2° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 100mm on full frame, with a 20.4° horizontal and 24.4° 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.
