Cosina and Vivitar - Taken from long gone website


Cosina SLR 1970?-??Cosina SRL camera

Fixed pentaprism
Shutter: 1-1/1000,B (vertical metal mechanical)
Flash: Standard X and F synch at 1/125
Metering: stoped-down TTL metering
Finder: Microprism spot and ground glass collar in Freshnel screen
Battery: PX675

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer
Has a mirror lock up when the self timer is used.

This black (chrome model exist but appears to be less common) camera is very common in Australia (or at least in Canberra). I have one and like it. The only problem is that sometimes the shutter speed dial, which is in front, may be accidentally moved by a finger. But that seems to happen less and less frequently now.
I like 1/125 flash synch that is not that common in thread mount cameras.
Meter is switched on by a sliding exposure meter switch as on Spotmatics, but it needs to be moved down, not up as on Spotmatics.

Cosina Hi-Lite ??-??

Fixed pentaprism
Shutter: 1-1/1000,B (vertical metal mechanical)
Flash: Standard X and F synch at 1/125, hot shoe
Metering: stoped-down TTL metering
Finder: Microprism spot and ground glass collar in Freshnel screen
Battery: PX675

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer
Has a mirror lock up when the self timer is used.

Cosina Hi-Lite EC 1973-??Cosina Hi-Lite EC camera

(Also Argus/Cosina EC 2000 ?) Fixed pentaprism
Shutter: vertical metal electrical 4-1/2000, B (1-1/2000 can be set manually)
Flash: X-synch hot shoe, standard X and F synch at 1/125
Metering: stoped-down TTL metering and aperture priority automatic exposure
Finder: microprism spot and ground glass collar in Freshnel screen. Shutter speed visiable
Battery: KS28, 6v

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer
Has a mirror lock up when self timer is used.

Pressing the shutter cause the diaphragm of the lens to close and turned the meter on. Shutter speeds are shown in the viewfinder using needle. Diaphragm may be reopened using the button near the lens mount.

Cosina Hi-Lite EC II, 1975-??

(Also Vivitar 650/SLX in USA)
Same as Cosina Hi-Lite but included spot-metering and AE lock.

Vivitar 450/SLD 1975-??

Fixed pentaprism
Shutter: vertical metal mechnaical 1-1/1000, B
Flash: X-synch hot shoe, standard X and F synch at 1/125
Metering: stoped-down TTL or spot metering (similar to Cosina Hi-Lites).
Finder: microprism spot and ground glass collar in Freshnel screen.
Battery: PX675 ?

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer
Has a mirror lock up when self timer is used(?).

Vivitar 420/SLD, 1975-??


Same as Vivitar 450/SLD but without spot-meter.

Cosina CSR 1976-??

Match-LED Camera with an optional aperture-prefered automatic exposure accessory unit (servo-motor).
Shutter: cloth electronic, 4s-1/1000, B.
Flash: X-synch hot shoe, standard X and F synch at 1/60(?)
Metering: stoped-down TTL or spot metering
Finder: split-image rangefinder and ground glass collar.

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer

Vivitar 250/SL, 1976-??

(informaton by courtesy of Robert T)

Fixed pentaprism
Shutter: 1-1/1000,B (vertical metal mechanical)
Flash: Standard X and F synch and hot shoe, flash synch at 1/125
Metering: stoped-down TTL metering

Auto diaphragm
Instant return mirror
Self-timer
Has a mirror lock up when the self timer is used.

I believe the Vivitar 250/SL was introduced toward the end of the screw mount period because it has a vertical-running metal shutter which gives it flash sync of 1/125. Despite many of its relative modern functions (comparing with other screw-mount cameras), it's rather cheap due to its off-brand status. It is a good camera to kick around and take to hike or river rafting. Don't know about its long-term reliability, but who cares.

Vivitar 220/SL, 1976-??

Same as Vivitar 250/SL but without battery check and shutter lock.

Vivitar XC-3, 1977-??

Same as Cosina CSR but without spot metering.