Well that was unexpected.
The 3X Vivitar TC arrived today. It made it from Iowa to Maine in record time.
What was even more surprising was that the thing came in its original box, inside its original "I still smell strongly of leather" mint condition case. With its original caps. There is absolutely no sign this thing has ever been used before outside of someone popping open the box and checking to see what was inside.
Oh yea, and inside were the original warranty card from Ponder and Best, as well as the instruction manual and list of service centers (one of them is listed as only being active 'After 1975').
Now I'm wondering just how old this thing is and how it could possibly have survived brand new or almost so for decades (the box isn't even scuffed, it only has a bit of age discoloration to it!).
The only downside is, well... its a 3X teleconverter. I'm not sure how much use it will actually have from me, but its a nifty conversation piece I suppose.
EDIT: A pair of test shots with the thing. A 3X has no right being this not-sucky. I attribute it to the fact it hasn't had a chance to get mangled over the years.
Sears 135mm Macro- it makes the lens's wide-open glow start hitting silly levels.
Sears 75-260mm close focus