20 Most Recent Vivitar 500mm 8.0 Lens Nikon D3000 D5000 D40 D40x D90 Questions & Answers

A 500 mm mirror lens is a fully manual lens (manual focus no aperture change) using a T mount adapter to your specific camera. The T mount costs some $15. It depends on your camera how to turn off the auto focus and go to aperture priority mode. The aperture on a mirror lens is set, usually at F8, so the shutter is the only item that can be adjusted to get a correct exposure. A digital camera (set in adjustable ASA setting) can change it's ASA to help with getting a correct exposure. Manual for digital camera are usually on the companies' web site.

Vivitar flash manuals: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/vivitar_flashes/vivitar_flash_units.htm

You can find the manual here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/vivitar_cameras/vivitar_cameras.htm

Vivitar is no longer in business, they just sell their name to add to merchandise. They are usually simple cameras but should take some sort of battery. There should be a side button to pop the back open. The film should lie flat equal to the end of the take-up roll. There should be a device on the back cover that pushes the film on the take up roll. There may be a button to turn on the flash (if it has one) and a lever to go to TELE. Not much else, point and shoot.

Fixya does not supply spares or replacement parts for any equipment, I'm afraid. Have you tried eBay, the mfr or your local friendly camera shop ?

Who are these people designing the leg locks. These are the poorest examples of engineering. Even a child could see that the leg lock begs to be broken. Maybe Vivitar should stick to flashes

It sounds like it uses a "universal" camera mount. Check Amazon for TX adapter rings for your model of camera.

Check the aperture lever in the mirror box on the side. sometimes it gets bent when the lens is put on wrong. Straighten with needle nose pliers. Carefully, it will break easily.