Viv
Ultra Wide and Slim by Vivitar
By kristal armendariz
24 March 2008
The Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim is the best of both worlds, delivering a lomo feel at a disposable price. I haven't found an online retailer that carries them, but they are readily available on eBay. For less than ten bucks [plus shipping] you can get a brand new Viv sent to your door, gift wrapped in the original box. There are no batteries needed, no dials or adjustments to make. Just add film and go!
It has a 22mm wide lens with an aperture of f11 and shutter speed of 1/125th second. Made entirely of plastic, it is practically weightless and super simple to use. I've found that its unassuming demeanor makes it particularly good for street photography. In fact, I use it for all of my 100 Strangers shots because people aren't intimidated by its looks.
It doesn't do as well in low light situations, although there are always exceptions. One of my favorite photos is one I took of my son in a grocery store with available light. However, bright daylight give the most consistent results. This is where the Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim shines. The colors are vivid with a strong vignette. It gives great lens flare, too. Point this beauty in the direction of the sun and you'll end up with fantastic streaks. If you're lucky, you might even get a perfect circle!.
Naturally, there are some drawbacks. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I've gone through three of these cameras in the past year. The film winders have a tendency to break and the spools are finicky. This camera isn't built for heavy use, but for the price I don't mind indulging in one every four to six months. The wide angle gives a great perspective, something different than your average cheap camera but not so extreme that it overpowers the shot. Still life, landscapes and portraits all get a little more interesting through this plastic lens.
If you are thinking about diving into the lomo pool, this is a great jumping off point.
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