Overview

The Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f/2.8 is a premium 1970s push-pull zoom with constant f/2.8 aperture, notable for being an early affordable fast zoom. Optically, it vignettes heavily wide open at all focal lengths and has passable bokeh, but performs well stopped down. Its key weakness is the 'variable focusing' design: focus shifts when zooming, requiring readjustment after each zoom. Build is all-metal, very heavy. Best suited for users who appreciate vintage character and don't mind its weight and focus quirks.