Vivitar V6000

The Vivitar V6000 is a 35mm analog single-lens reflex (SLR) camera featuring TTL exposure metering with automatic aperture control and a metal focal plane shutter. It was designed as a robust and accessible camera for 35mm film photography in the 24mm x 36mm format.

The V6000 offers both automatic exposure control and manual setting options, making it attractive for beginners and advanced photographers who want to work with the analog film format. Its compatibility with the popular K mount provides access to a wide range of lenses.

The model was manufactured by Cosina. Production took place in a factory in Japan.

Lens

The Vivitar V6000 uses a quick-change “K” mount (often referred to as “PK” or “Pentax K mount”). This allows the use of a wide range of lenses compatible with this mount.

A lens is attached by aligning the red dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera body and then turning it clockwise until it clicks into place. To remove it, press the lens release button while turning the lens counterclockwise.

Focusing is achieved manually using the focus ring on the lens. The viewfinder assists the photographer with several tools. The entire viewfinder screen changes from blurry to sharp, allowing for quick coarse focusing.

For fine-tuning, there is a microprism ring in the center of the viewfinder image. This appears clear and sharp when correctly focused, but shimmers or refracted when out of focus. Within this ring is a split-image indicator (horizontally split) that divides the subject horizontally.

When correctly focused, the two halves of the subject are precisely aligned. Please note that with lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or less, the upper part of the split-image indicator may appear black and become unusable; this is a normal characteristic of slower-aperture lenses.

Exposure Settings

The Vivitar V6000 features a TTL (Through The Lens) metering system with a center-weighted metering pattern at full aperture. This means the camera measures the light entering the lens, with greater emphasis on the center of the image field to achieve a balanced exposure.

The camera offers two main exposure modes, which are set using the mode dial:

Auto Mode (AUTO – Aperture Priority):

In this mode, the photographer preselects the desired aperture on the lens. The camera measures the light and automatically sets the appropriate shutter speed.

This is indicated in the viewfinder by a lit red LED next to the word “AUTO” and another LED indicating the shutter speed selected by the camera on the vertical scale. This scale ranges from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second.

If the LED next to “OVER” lights up, this indicates an impending overexposure; a smaller aperture (higher f-number) should be selected.

If the LED next to “LT” (Long Time) lights up, this indicates that a slow shutter speed of between 2 and 8 seconds is selected, which can lead to camera shake; in this case, a larger aperture (smaller f-number) or a tripod should be used.

Manual Mode (MANUAL):

In this mode, the photographer manually selects both the lens aperture and the shutter speed. When switching to MANUAL, a shutter speed of 1/125 second is automatically preset (indicated as 125X, where X also indicates the flash sync speed).

In the viewfinder, an LED lights up next to the letter “M” (for manual) and another next to the currently set shutter speed (initially 125X). Additionally, a third LED flashes next to the camera’s recommended shutter speed for the measured lighting conditions and the selected aperture.

The photographer can now either adjust the aperture on the lens until the flashing LED aligns with the fixed 125X mark, or adjust the shutter speed using the LED up/down rocker switch on the mode dial. Pushing the rocker switch forward (white arrow) selects faster shutter speeds, while pushing it backward selects longer ones.

The goal is to align the illuminated LED for the set shutter speed with the position of the flashing recommended LED. Once this is achieved, only one LED will remain lit constantly at the selected shutter speed, indicating the correct manual exposure.

In manual mode, shutter speeds from 1/1000 second to 2 seconds, as well as the “B” (Bulb) setting, are selectable. When the LED is moved up past 1/1000 of a second, it jumps to the “B” position at the bottom of the scale. Selecting “LT” in manual mode uses a fixed shutter speed of 2 seconds. When selecting “B,” the “M” and “B” LEDs light up, and the flashing recommendation LED goes out.

The shutter is an electronically controlled, vertical-travel metal focal plane shutter. The exposure meter’s metering range is EV 2 (f/1.4, 8 seconds) to EV 19 (f/22, 1/1000 of a second) at ISO 100/21°.

Shutter speeds range from 8 seconds to 1/1000 second in automatic mode and from 2 seconds to 1/1000 second in manual mode, supplemented by the “B” (Bulb) setting for long exposures, where the shutter remains open as long as the shutter button is pressed.

Flash System

The Vivitar V6000 is equipped with a standard hot shoe on the pentaprism. This accepts Vivitar flash units or compatible third-party models. The hot shoe features an X-contact for electronic sync. The camera is electronically linked to the flash unit, so the flash fires automatically when the camera shutter is released.

For flash photography, it is recommended to set the mode dial to MANUAL. After attaching the flash unit and turning it on, the photographer should check the viewfinder to see if an LED next to “M” and another next to “125X” are lit.

“125X” indicates the fastest flash sync speed of 1/125 second. Flash sync is possible at 1/125 second or any slower shutter speed.

The third, flashing LED for exposure recommendation is ignored during flash operation. The correct aperture must be manually set on the lens based on the flash unit’s specifications (guide number, distance to subject). For special applications such as fill-in flash in daylight, other shutter speeds can also be selected in manual mode (using the up/down rocker switch).

The specifications mention a “Flash Dedication” function: When a corresponding flash unit is ready, the shutter speed is automatically set to 1/125 second, and a ready indicator appears next to the 1/125-X position in the viewfinder. However, the instruction manual focuses on the manual setting for flash operation.

Additional Features

The Vivitar V6000 offers several useful additional features. It features a fast film advance lever. This allows the film to be advanced with a single 135° movement and has a 30° stand-off position, where it protrudes slightly from the body and activates the camera’s electronics.

A built-in lock prevents accidental double exposures. Film rewind is performed manually using the fold-out film rewind crank and the rewind button on the bottom of the camera.

A progressive frame counter displays the number of frames taken and automatically resets to ‘S’ (Start) when the camera back is opened.

A standard 1/4-inch tripod thread is located on the bottom of the camera for stable mounting on a tripod, which is especially recommended when using the “B” setting or long exposure times.

For long exposures in “B” mode, the use of a cable release is recommended to avoid camera shake. There is no self-timer on this model.

The viewfinder eyepiece has grooves for attaching accessories such as eyecups or diopter correction lenses.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions of the Vivitar V6000 camera body are 133 mm wide, 85 mm high, and 50 mm deep (equivalent to 5.24 x 3.35 x 1.97 inches). The weight of the camera body alone, without batteries and lens, is 425 grams.

Power Supply

The Vivitar V6000 is powered by two 1.5-volt batteries. Either alkaline-manganese batteries of type LR44 (eBay / Amazon*) or silver oxide batteries of type SR44 (eBay / Amazon*) can be used.

The batteries are inserted into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera. To open, turn the battery compartment cover counterclockwise using a coin.

When inserting, ensure that the positive (+) terminals of both batteries are facing up so that they touch the contact in the cover. The cover is then screwed back on clockwise until it is flush with the base plate, but without overtightening.

The batteries power the exposure meter, the LED indicators in the viewfinder, and the electronically controlled shutter. A battery check can be performed by setting the mode selector to AUTO, pulling the film advance lever out slightly, and half-pressing the shutter button.

If two or three red LEDs light up in the viewfinder, the battery voltage is sufficient. It is recommended to change the batteries annually or before important shots, and to remove them if the camera is not used for an extended period (one month or more) to prevent damage from leakage. A reset mechanism near the film rewind knob can help if the transport or shutter button is jammed.

Film Recommendations

The Vivitar V6000 is designed for use with 35mm film (24x36mm format). The film speed is set manually on the camera. To do so, turn the film speed dial until the ASA/ISO value indicated on the film packaging is aligned with the white index mark. The adjustable range is from ISO 25 to ISO 1600. Automatic DX detection is not available.

Excellent 35mm films for color or black-and-white photography include the Kodak Portra 400* and the Ilford XP2 Super*.

The number of exposures per roll depends on the film cartridge loaded (typically 24 or 36 exposures). When loading the film, it is advisable to ensure that the film rewind knob rotates during film advance to ensure the film is threaded correctly.

Quick Operation Guide

• Insert batteries: Turn the mode dial to OFF. Open the battery compartment with a coin, insert two LR44/SR44 batteries with (+) facing up, and close the compartment.
• Attach lens: Align the red dots on the lens and camera, turn the lens clockwise until it clicks into place.
• Load film: Pull up the rewind handle; the back of the lens opens. Insert the film cartridge into the film chamber, press down the knob, and turn until it is seated. Pull the film tongue over the guide rails toward the take-up spool, inserting the tip into a slot in the spool. Ensure that the advance teeth engage the perforations. Operate the film advance lever until the film has made one revolution on the spool. Carefully turn the rewind handle clockwise until slight resistance is felt. Close the back.
• Advance the film: Set the mode dial to MANUAL. Operate the film advance lever and press the shutter button, repeating this several times until the frame counter reaches “1”.
• Set the film speed: Turn the film speed dial to the film’s ISO/ASA value.
• Select the exposure mode: Set the mode dial to AUTO (Aperture Priority) or MANUAL.
• Set the exposure:
• AUTO: Select the aperture on the lens. The camera selects the shutter speed (displayed in the viewfinder).
• MANUAL: Select the aperture on the lens. Adjust the shutter speed using the up/down rocker until the set LED matches the flashing recommendation LED (or as desired).
• Focus: Look through the viewfinder and turn the focus ring on the lens until the subject appears sharp in the split-image indicator and/or microprism ring.
• Release: Press the shutter button all the way down to take the photo.
• Rewind the film: When the film is full (resistance at the advance lever), press the rewind button on the bottom. Extend the rewind crank and turn it clockwise until resistance is relieved. Open the back cover and remove the film.