Inquiry about Vivitar Series 1 Auto Zoom 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 VMC

[assa2002]

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired a lens labeled Vivitar Series 1 Auto Zoom 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 VMC, with serial number 37000005.
It is in Nikon F mount.

From what I understand, this model does not appear in any official Vivitar catalog or common lens compendiums, and it might have been a prototype or a very limited pre-production sample. The build quality and cosmetics look similar to other Tokina-made Vivitar lenses from the same era.

Has anyone here ever seen or heard of this specific lens?
Do you know if it was an unreleased prototype, a regional release, or perhaps a mislabeled version of the more common 70-210mm f/2.8-4?

Any information, catalog scans, or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
I will attach some photos of the lens for reference.

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[xkaes]

The "37" in the serial # tells us it was made by Tokina, and the # 000005 suggests a prototype. Sigma had a couple of 55-200mm zooms, but this is a new one to me. It's in NONE of my literature. It looks like you scored BIG.

Where did you find it?

 

[assa2002]

The "37" in the serial # tells us it was made by Tokina, and the # 000005 suggests a prototype. Sigma had a couple of 55-200mm zooms, but this is a new one to me. It's in NONE of my literature. It looks like you scored BIG.

Where did you find it?

Thank you so much for your comment. I found this at a garage sale in Japan. It looked like any other zoom lens, but the specs were something I'd never seen before.

 

[xkaes]

And apparently you'll never see one again. Make sure you put it under your pillow every night!!!

 

[assa2002]

Hi all,

Earlier I posted here about a Vivitar Series 1 50–200mm f/2.8–4.0 lens that looks like a prototype.

Now I’ve found another unusual one:
Vivitar Series 1 50–200mm f/3.5–4.5 Macro Zoom VMC, serial number 37 200003 (Nikon F mount).

I can’t find this lens in any Vivitar catalog or database. The Tokina serial prefix (37) and very low number suggest it might be an early prototype or test piece.

Has anyone ever seen this version before? Any info would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[xkaes]

Another prototype for the museum.