Vivitar UW500

Two months ago I stumbled across an advertisement for a cheap point and shoot film camera - behold the Vivitar UW500. Fit with a spotless waterproof housing and with surprisingly few signs of ware and tear.

With only little previous experience in the world of 35mm (I'd previously played around with a few Olympus OM set ups) I willing pounced at the opportunity to delve further (I had to buy it). So first thing I did was walk straight into my local camera shop and purchased a roll of Kodak 100 Pro Image, probably not my preferred option but all my local shop had at a reasonable price (due to what the attendant described as "world wide shortage of film" in light of the dubous manafacturing circumstances left in wake of the late covid-19 pandemic).

The Vivitar UW500, as far as I know was designed solely as an under water camera (hence the UW). Unfortunately I haven't had much luck (in my somewhat limited research), learning an awful lot about this slick point and shoot except that it seems to have a 22 or a 24 mm lens with a set aperture of around f8-16. It comes with an inbuilt flash (which can conveniently be toggled on and off), a lockable shutter and small but clear viewfinder. The camera takes two AA battery to aid a smooth and fully automatic winding system which I've found rather convenient.

Vivitar as far as im aware was founded in 1938 by as Ponder and Best by Max Ponder and John Best, dealing in cameras and photographic accessories. Hence the "Vivitar USA - Made in China" slogan imprinted on the bass of the UW500, the company was founded in Santa Monica but nowadays is more often known primarily a lens manafacturing company. After a number of company mishaps after the passing of both Ponder and Best, the company was aquired by Syntax Brillian which subsiquenlt went backrupt and Vivitar is now owneed by perant company Sakar International. The company has since gone through significant rebranding and muchof the history of its roots has been seemingly forgotten.

As a lifelong surfer I've explored the coastline of Tasmania/lutruwita (my home at the south east edge of Australia's most southern state), so naturally I dived straight into the waters near my home 35 minutes from our states capital of Hobart/nipaluna. You'll be pleased to know the housing exceeded by expectations (did not leak) and the novelty camera shot through each of the 35 exposure without hesitation.

Here's my short journey shown through the (amateur as it may be) experimental lens of infamous Vivitar uw500.

Overall I found the camera incredibly user friendly and I look forward to shooting more with it. I find the mystic nature of film both addicting and exciting and in turn the Vivitar UW500 has lived up to my expectations even as a relative newcomer to the vast world of film photography.

I seem to have found myself intrigued by the mystical background of the Vivitar. Theis camera is an incredible mix between old school film technology and the automatic style and ease of automated winding systems.

However I find myself ending this roll of 35 exposure knowing relatively little about the camera with relatively limited knowledge of all things Vivitar. Despite this I have an intriguing need to learn more and I look forward to shooting with it in the future. So as I end this short journey I ask if you have any information or have any experience with the UW500 or any other Vivitar cameras for that matter I would love to hear about it!

Here are a few resources I read on the camera prior to writing: https://www.lomography.com/magazine/34718-vivitar-uw500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgENy2apIdU https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivitar