Vivitar 400/SL

The Vivitar 400/SL is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera from the 1970s. It was presumably manufactured by the Japanese company Cosina. A model with the same feature set from Cosina is the Cosina 4000S.

Lens
The Vivitar 400/SL features a universal thread mount (often referred to as an M42 mount), which allows access to a very wide range of compatible lenses and optical accessories from various manufacturers. The camera was often offered with a Vivitar Auto 50mm f/1.9 or a Vivitar Auto 55mm f/2.8 lens as standard.

Vivitar 50mm f/1.9 Lens

The 50mm f/1.9 lens consists of 6 elements in 4 groups, has an angle of view of 45°, and an aperture range of f/1.9 to f/16. The closest focusing distance is 0.5 meters (1.64 ft). It has an overall length of 37.5 mm at infinity and weighs 200 g. The maximum barrel diameter is 60.5 mm.

Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 Lens

The 55mm f/2.8 lens consists of 4 elements in 3 groups, with an angle of view of 43°. The aperture range is f/2.8 to f/22. The closest focusing distance is 90 cm (35⅞ inches). At infinity focus, it measures 36.5 mm in length and weighs 180 g. The maximum barrel diameter is 61.5 mm.

Both standard lenses have a 49 mm filter thread.

Focusing is performed manually using the focusing ring on the lens. The camera assists focusing with a microprism measuring spot in the center of the viewfinder image, surrounded by a focusing ring.

When the subject is in focus, the pattern of the microprism field disappears. With low-light lenses, lenses with a large aperture, or when using telephoto lenses over 200 mm, focusing can be achieved using the surrounding focusing screen area or the entire Fresnel lens.

The camera does not have an autofocus function. For infrared photography, there is a separate infrared index mark to which the distance read on the distance scale must be set, since infrared light focuses on a slightly different plane.

Exposure Settings

The Vivitar 400/SL is equipped with a built-in TTL exposure meter that performs center-weighted metering. Two sensitive cadmium sulfide (CdS) cells, located behind the pentaprism on either side of the viewfinder, measure the light entering the lens. The entire image field is taken into account, but with greater emphasis on the center of the image. This is particularly useful for subjects with a high proportion of sky or in backlit situations.

Exposure metering is activated by pressing the shutter button halfway. This not only activates the exposure meter but also stops down the lens to the working aperture preselected on the aperture ring (stop-down metering).

A needle will appear in the viewfinder. To set the correct exposure, either the aperture ring on the lens or the shutter speed dial is turned until the needle in the viewfinder is centered within the exposure index brackets. When the needle is centered, the correct combination of shutter speed and aperture for the given lighting conditions has been found.

If the needle points to the “+” area, overexposure is imminent; a faster shutter speed or a smaller aperture (higher f-number) is required. If the needle points to the “-” area, underexposure is imminent; a slower shutter speed or a larger aperture (smaller f-number) must be selected. It is also possible to first preselect a desired aperture to control depth of field and then adjust the appropriate shutter speed on the shutter speed dial until the needle is centered. However, shutter speeds must always be set to the engraved values; intermediate values ​​are not provided.

The shutter is a mechanical Copal Square focal plane shutter with vertically running metal blades. It offers exposure times from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second, which are set using the shutter speed dial. The numbers on the dial represent the denominator of the fraction (e.g., 125 stands for 1/125 of a second).

There is also a “B” (Bulb) setting, which keeps the shutter open as long as the shutter button is pressed. This setting is suitable for long exposures.

The aperture values ​​are set directly on the lens’s aperture ring and, depending on the lens, range from f/1.9 to f/16 or f/2.8 to f/22. The exposure meter’s measuring range is EV 3 to EV 18 at ASA 100 (DIN 21) and with the 50mm f/1.9 lens.

Flash System

The Vivitar 400/SL offers flexible options for connecting flash units. It features two separate PC sync sockets on the side of the camera: an “X” socket for electronic flash units and an “M” socket for certain types of flash bulbs (M-class).

The camera is also equipped with an accessory shoe on the pentaprism, which has an integrated center contact for X-sync. Flash units can be attached directly without a separate sync cable.

Flash synchronization depends on the type of flash unit used and the selected shutter speed:

• Electronic flash units synchronize via the “X” socket or the hot shoe at all shutter speeds up to and including 1/125 second. The 1/125th second mark on the shutter speed dial is colored red as a reminder.
• Class M flash bulbs synchronize via the “M” terminal at shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/1000th of a second.
• Class F and FP flash bulbs synchronize via the “M” terminal at shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/30th of a second.

Exposure for flash photography is usually determined manually using the flash unit’s guide number and the distance to the subject (guide number / distance = aperture). The camera’s automatic settings do not control flash exposure.

Additional Features

In addition to its core functions, the Vivitar 400/SL offers several useful additional features. A built-in mechanical self-timer allows for a shutter delay of approximately 7 to 10 seconds. It is cocked by moving the self-timer lever in the direction of the arrow and released by pressing the shutter button. This is useful for self-portraits or for minimizing camera shake during long exposures on a tripod.

For use on a tripod, the camera features a standard tripod thread on the bottom. For long exposures, in addition to tripod use, a mechanical cable release can be screwed into the designated socket in the shutter button to avoid vibration.

A film plane mark is located on the top of the camera and indicates the exact position of the film plane, which is important for precise distance measurements in close-up and macro shots. The return mirror immediately returns to its position after the shot, clearing the view through the viewfinder. A built-in mechanism prevents accidental double exposures.

The side strap eyelets are used to carry the camera.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions of the camera body (without lens) are 97 mm in height, 146 mm in width, and 52 mm in depth (3.8″ x 5.7″ x 2″). The body weight alone is 725 grams (25.6 oz.).

Power Supply

The Vivitar 400/SL’s light metering system is powered by a single 1.35-volt mercury battery. Compatible types are Mallory PX-675, Eveready EPX-675, or equivalent batteries.

The battery is inserted into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera, with the positive side (+) facing up. The battery compartment cover is opened and closed with a coin. It is important to note that the battery only powers the light meter.

All other camera functions, including the mechanical shutter, operate without a battery, keeping the camera operational even when the battery is empty or in cold weather, as long as the exposure is manually estimated or measured externally.

Film Recommendations

The Vivitar 400/SL uses standard 35mm film (perforated film) in commercially available cartridges with 20 or 36 exposures. Both black-and-white and color film (negative or slide) can be used.

Film speed is specified in ASA (American standard) or DIN (European standard). The camera allows film speeds to be set in the range of ASA 25 to ASA 3200 (equivalent to DIN 15 to DIN 36).

The setting is made by lifting the outer ring on the shutter speed dial and turning it until the desired ASA value appears in the ASA film speed window opposite the green index line.

The camera has no DX code recognition; the film speed must always be set manually using the shutter speed dial to ensure the light meter delivers correct values.

Candidates for the Vivitar 400/SL include Kodak Portra 400* for color images and Ilford XP2 Super* for black and white photos.

Quick Operation Guide

1. Inserting the Battery: Open the battery compartment on the bottom with a coin and insert a 1.35V battery (type PX-675 or similar) with the positive pole (+) facing up. Close the compartment.
2. Loading the Film: Extend the rewind crank and firmly pull the rewind knob upwards until the back panel pops up. The frame counter jumps to “S” (Start). Insert the film cartridge into the film chamber. Pull the film tab over the film guide rails and insert the end into one of the slots on the take-up spool. Turn the take-up spool slightly further if necessary.
3. Preparing the Film Advance: Operate the film advance lever once to ensure that the film’s perforation is engaged by the advance gears. Close the back firmly until it clicks into place.
4. Advance the film to the first frame: Retract the rewind crank and gently turn it clockwise to remove slack. Alternately operate the film advance lever and the shutter button until the frame counter points to “1.” Watch the rewind knob as you do this—it should turn counterclockwise, indicating the film is advancing correctly.
5. Set the film speed: Lift the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turn it until your film’s ASA value is displayed in the window. Click the ring into place.
6. Select shutter speed: Turn the shutter speed dial to set the desired exposure time.
7. Focus and compose: Look through the viewfinder, frame your shot, and turn the lens focus ring until the subject appears sharp in the microprism field (the pattern disappears).
8. Set exposure: Press the shutter button halfway. The light meter activates and the lens stops down. Now turn the aperture ring on the lens (or adjust the shutter speed) until the needle in the viewfinder is centered in the index brackets.
9. Release the shutter button: Press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.
10. Advance the film: Fully pull the film advance lever to advance the film to the next frame.