Vivitar PN2011 (Panoramic)
Name/Title
Vivitar PN2011 (Panoramic)Entry/Object ID
338Tags
StandardDescription
The Vivitar PN2011 is a cult-classic plastic point-and-shoot from the 1990s. While it looks like a standard "disposable-style" camera, it gained a significant following in the toy camera community for one specific reason: its wide-angle 28mm lens and "Panoramic" mode. Technically, the "Panoramic" feature is a bit of a trick. By sliding the switch on the back (marked P and N), two plastic masks drop down inside the camera to crop the top and bottom of the frame. It doesn't actually take a wider photo, but it forces that cinematic 16:9 look. Because the lens is quite wide (28mm) and the aperture is fixed at roughly f/8, almost everything from 4 feet to infinity is in focus. The "Ultra Wide" Hack: Many photographers actually remove the internal panoramic masks. Since the lens is a wide 28mm, doing this gives you a full-frame 35mm image with distinct vignetting and a unique "plastic lens" charm that collectors love. The camera is entirely mechanical; it doesn't even have a battery compartment unless you count the versions with a built-in flash (this version appears to be the "daylight only" model). You wind the film with the thumbwheel on the back and press the shutter button on top. It’s the ultimate low-stakes, "lo-fi" street photography tool.Category
Camera, Scamera, 35mm Film
Media Type