Quick answer
The Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle is a ultra-wide prime lens covering 17mm at f/3.5 for the Minolta MD mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
About this lens
This 17mm f/3.5 manual-focus wide-angle prime lens from Vivitar fits Minolta MD mount cameras. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Vivitar 17mm f/3.5 Wide Angle specifications
- Brand
- Vivitar
- Mount
- Minolta MD
- Focal length
- 17mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/3.5
- Lens type
- Prime
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 Minolta MD mount, so it fits Minolta MD 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.
Alternatives for Minolta MD from other brands
All Minolta MD lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
