Vivitar V4000s

The Vivitar V4000s is a compact and lightweight 35mm film Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. It is nearly identical to its sibling model, the Vivitar V4000, but distinguishes itself with the additional self-timer. Like the V4000, the V4000s features Through-The-Lens (TTL) light metering at maximum aperture, allowing the photographer precise exposure control.

Operation is designed to simplify high-quality photography, indicating correct exposure via a green LED in the viewfinder.

Focusing and exposure settings are fully manual, giving the user complete control over the final image.

The camera was manufactured by Cosina in Japan.

Lens

The Vivitar V4000s uses a Pentax “K” type lens mount. This means it is compatible with a wide variety of lenses that use this common mount.

The example lens used is a Vivitar 50mm with a maximum aperture of f/1.9 and a filter thread size of 49mm.

Lenses are focused manually. The photographer uses the focusing ring on the lens.

The camera supports focusing via several methods visible in the viewfinder: A split-image rangefinder in the center of the viewfinder shows two halves of the image that align when correctly focused. Around this central spot is a microprism ring, which produces a shimmering image when out of focus that becomes clear when sharp. Additionally, sharpness can be judged across the entire focusing screen in the viewfinder, where the image appears sharpest when correctly focused.

An explicit zone focus function is not built-in, however, K-mount lenses typically feature a Depth-of-Field scale and a Distance scale. These scales allow the photographer to estimate the range of sharpness at a given aperture and focus setting, thus enabling a form of zone focusing.

Focal length and maximum aperture depend on the attached lens, with the example lens having a standard focal length of 50mm and a fast maximum aperture of f/1.9. The aperture is set using the Aperture Ring directly on the lens.

Exposure Settings

The Vivitar V4000s features a TTL light metering system that measures the brightness of the light passing through the lens at maximum aperture. The metering characteristic is center-weighted, meaning the central area of the image field is given more importance in the measurement.

The light meter is activated by lightly pressing the shutter release button, provided the film advance lever is in the ready position (slightly pulled out).

In the viewfinder, three LEDs indicate the metering results to the photographer: A red ‘+’ LED signals overexposure, a green ‘O’ LED indicates correct exposure (Zero method), and a red ‘-‘ LED warns of underexposure. If both the green ‘O’ LED and one of the red LEDs light up simultaneously, it indicates slight over- or underexposure, but the shot is usually still possible.

The recommended metering range of the camera at ISO 100/21° extends from EV 2 (equivalent to f/2 at 1 second) to EV 19 (equivalent to f/16 at 1/2000 second).

The camera offers no automatic exposure modes; settings are made manually, with two approaches possible:

When setting shutter speed first, the user selects the desired shutter speed on the Shutter Speed Dial and then adjusts the aperture via the lens ring until the green ‘O’ LED lights up in the viewfinder.

When setting aperture first, the user selects the desired aperture on the lens and then sets the appropriate shutter speed on the dial until the ‘O’ LED lights up.

The shutter is a mechanical metal focal-plane shutter that travels vertically. It offers shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/2000 second, plus a “B” (Bulb) setting for long exposures, where the shutter remains open as long as the release button is held down.

Shutter speeds are set using the Shutter Speed Dial on top of the camera. It is important that the dial clicks into one of the marked speeds, as intermediate settings can lead to incorrect exposures. Aperture values are set using the Aperture Ring on the lens and depend on the lens used (e.g., f/1.9 to f/16 with the example lens).

Flash System

The Vivitar V4000s is equipped with a Hot Shoe with a center contact (X-contact). This allows for the direct attachment of an external flash unit without an additional sync cord. It also had a sync socket (PC sync terminal) for a flash with a cable.

Flash synchronization occurs at shutter speeds of 1/125 second or slower. Faster shutter speeds cannot be used with flash because the shutter would not be fully open when the flash fires.

To expose correctly with flash, the shutter speed must be set to 1/125 s or a slower speed. The appropriate aperture is set manually on the lens, based on the flash unit’s Guide Number (G.N.), the set film speed, and the distance to the subject.

Additional Features

The V4000s features a mechanical Self-timer, which is the main differentiating feature from the V4000. It is typically wound using a lever on the front of the camera. After pressing the shutter release, a delay time (usually around 8-10 seconds) elapses before the picture is taken. This is useful for self-portraits or to avoid camera shake during long exposures on a tripod.

On the bottom is a standard Tripod Socket for mounting on a tripod, recommended for long exposures, the “B” setting, or when using telephoto lenses.

The lens features a Depth-of-field scale for estimating the range of sharpness, as well as a special Infrared focus index mark (a red dot or line on the depth-of-field scale) for focus correction during infrared photography with an appropriate filter.

The Viewfinder is an Eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with 0.86x magnification (with a 50mm lens at infinity) and 93% field of view coverage (horizontal and vertical).

Safety mechanisms prevent accidental double exposures and advancing the film beyond one frame; the shutter release is locked when the film advance lever is folded in.

A Film Transport Indicator Window, a small window next to the rewind knob, rotates to show if the film is advancing correctly.

The Frame Counter counts upwards and automatically resets to ‘S’ (Start) when the camera back is opened.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions of the Vivitar V4000s are identical to those of the V4000: 138 mm (Width) x 88 mm (Height) x 58 mm (Depth). The weight of the camera body alone (without lens and batteries) is 370 grams. These figures highlight the compact and lightweight nature of the camera for an SLR of its class.

Power Supply

The Vivitar V4000s requires power for its light metering system. Energy is supplied by two 1.5V button cells. Either LR44 Alkaline-Manganese batteries (eBay / Amazon*) or SR44 Silver-Oxide batteries (eBay / Amazon*) can be used.

Batteries are not included. They are inserted into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera, ensuring that the positive (+) terminals of both batteries face the compartment cover.

The camera itself (shutter, film transport, self-timer) functions purely mechanically even without batteries, but light metering will not be available.

Battery condition can be checked by moving the film advance lever to the ready position, lightly pressing the shutter release, and looking into the viewfinder. If one of the three LEDs (+, O, -) lights up, the battery voltage is sufficient. If no LED lights up, the batteries need to be replaced or correctly inserted.

Film Recommendations

The Vivitar V4000s uses standard 35mm film in the 24 x 36 mm format.

The film speed must be set manually on the camera. This is done using the Film Speed Setting Ring located around the rewind knob. The adjustable range is from ISO 25/15° to ISO 3200/36° in 1/3 stop increments.

The camera has no automatic DX-code recognition; the ISO value of the loaded film must always be set manually using the setting ring according to the information on the film packaging.

A good film for black and white pictures is Ilford Delta 100*. Nice color pictures can be taken with films like Kodak Gold 200*.

The number of exposures per roll (typically 24 or 36 shots) depends on the purchased film and is indicated by the camera’s frame counter.

Quick Start Guide

The basic operation of the Vivitar V4000s is as follows:

1. Insert Batteries: Correctly insert 2x LR44 or SR44, check condition.
2. Load Film: Open the camera back (by lifting the rewind knob), insert the cartridge, thread the film leader into the take-up spool, ensure perforation engages.
3. Advance Film: Close the camera back, use the film advance lever and shutter release button to advance the film to frame ‘1’.
4. Set ISO: Set the film speed (ISO/ASA) of the loaded film on the setting ring.
5. Prepare for Shooting: Move the film advance lever to the ready position (slightly pulled out). Aim at the subject, focus using the focusing ring (using the split-image/microprism/focusing screen).
6. Set Exposure: Pre-select the desired shutter speed or aperture. Lightly press the shutter release (activates meter). Adjust the other setting (aperture or speed) until the green ‘O’ LED lights up in the viewfinder.
7. Release Shutter: Compose the picture, fully press the shutter release button.
8. (Optional) Use Self-Timer: After step 6, activate (wind) the self-timer lever and then press the shutter release. The camera will fire after a short delay.
9. Next Shot: Operate the film advance lever.
10. Rewind Film: When film is full (advance lever becomes stiff), press the rewind button on the bottom. Use the rewind crank to rewind the film completely into the cartridge.
11. Remove Film: Open the camera back (in shade or subdued light), remove the film.