Vivitar Corporation is a manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of photographic and optical equipment originally based in Santa Monica, California. Since 2008, the Vivitar name serves as Sakar International's house brand for digital imaging, optics, mobile accessories, and audio products. The company's product line has included 35 mm SLR cameras, zoom lenses, flashes, film enlargers, binoculars, digital cameras, night vision products, point-and-shoot cameras, tripods, underwater cameras, smart home technology, health and wellness accessories, and other audio/video equipment. ViviCam 55 ViviCam 7122 The company was founded in 1938 as Ponder and Best by Max Ponder and John Best. Max Ponder headed the sales department, while John Best ran the operations side of the company. Ponder and Best first imported German-made photo equipment. After World War II, the partnership began to import cameras and photographic equipment from Japan. They were instrumental in the introduction of many brands into the American market, including Mamiya/Sekor 35mm cameras, OM-System 35mm equipment, Kobena 8mm movie cameras, Sankyo/Komura wide-angle/telephoto adapter lenses and a full line of photographic darkroom equipment imported from many manufacturers throughout Japan and later Taiwan. They were also the sole U.S. distributor for Olympus products at this time. Ponder and Best were the first to gain acceptance for lenses with interchangeable mounts, allowing customers to use the same lens on different manufacturers' camera bodies. In the early 1960s, the partners created the "Vivitar" brand to compete with major lens manufacturers. The company commissioned experienced lens designers and reputable Japanese optical lens manufacturers such as Kino Precision to produce their lens designs. By carefully positioning their limited product line with key photo retailers, they quickly built a reputation for good-quality lenses at modest prices. The retailers found that they could make good margins while giving good value.