CMur12
Veteran
The Vivitar lens definitely has some character wide open and is nicely sharp closed down.
Whilst I do like it and use it, results (especially wide open) can be a bit unpredictable. I think the Canon you mentioned is a much better camera. Owning it from brand new is an extra layer of special-ness on top.
Hi Pan,
Thanks for the feedback comparing the Vivitar with the Canonet.
As far as I know, Vivitar didn't manufacture any products themselves; all of their products were manufactured by others, and quality varied considerably depending upon the actual manufacturer of any given product.
I just did a search on the 35ES: Vivitar 35ES - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia
"Introduced in 1978 by Vivitar, the Vivitar 35ES is a compact fixed-lens 35mm shutter-priority rangefinder camera built to Vivitar specifications and rebadged by Cosina. The camera is very similar in most respects to the Konica Auto S3, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII and Revue 400SE. The 35ES has a fast (f/1.7) 40mm, six-element lens that has garnered a reputation for extremely sharp and detailed images ... ."
It looks like your experience with the lens is less positive.
Regarding your reference to "special-ness," I got all of my compact fixed-lens RFs new: An Olympus 35RC, the Vivitar 35ES, and the Canonet. I was also given a near-new 35RC (back in 1976) and I picked up another Canonet somewhere along the line. Now, my Canonets both need new light seals and CLAs. (Not sure who in the US works on Canonets now.)
- Murray
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