Changes: VoigtlÃ¤nder Vito B

Latest revision as of 11:57, 14 June 2018

Voigtländer Vito B original small finder model image by Alfred Sigaro (Image rights)

Voigtländer Vito B late large finder model c.1959

The Vito B is an attractive and compact 35mm viewfinder made by Voigtländer and produced between 1954-60. It has the fine Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 or f/2.8 lens (a four element Tessar-type) in a 4-speed Pronto or 8-speed Prontor shutter.

Shutter[]

Voigtländer Vito B outfit, original small finder model image by Patrick Stacey (Image rights)

The Vito B was equipped with either a 4-speed Pronto (B, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/200th sec)^[1] or 8-speed (B, 1, 1/2, 1/5th, 1/10th, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/300th sec) Prontor SVS shutter, the 4-speed shutter being discontinued in 1957.^[2] The shutter is cocked by the film engaging a sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, and so will not cock if there is not a film present;^[3] this has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.

The self-timer mechanism can be engaged by moving the synchronising lever to the V (green) position; however, given the age of the camera and the weak governing spring,^[1] using this feature is discouraged, as it can cause the camera to stop working.^[3]

Nine times out of ten, a non working self timer is due to muck, not springs. There is a watch mechanism that controls the self timer, but, unlike a watch, it is not effectively sealed. Nearly all cameras with Prontor or Compur mechanisms need regular cleaning if they are used regularly. Even the shutter timing mechanism is clockwork and it only takes a speck of dust to jam it. People then start ripping them apart, usually from the wrong end and end up with a pile of non working bits.

Voigtländer Vito B, late large finder model image by David Broglin (Image rights)

Aesthetics and ergonomics[]

The Vito B's body is compact and rounded, a look characterised as "cute".^[4] It has some nice features including a hinged baseplate for easy loading (which also releases the back) and a milled film counter that counts down rather than up.

The Vito B body existed in two versions, the first one (1954-57) had a small viewfinder and low profile top plate. The later version (1957-60) had a larger bright-frame viewfinder; while brighter and more useful than the original Vito B's viewfinder, some enthusiasts feel that this spoiled the appearance of the camera.^[5]

Specifications[]

Embossing on the top plate: Vito B
Lens:Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 filter slip-on
Aperture: f/3.5-f/22 setting: ring and scale on the lens, turns with the speed ring, according to Light Values 2-18, separate setting possible by a knob on the lens
Focus range: 1-20m + inf
Focusing: manual front element focusing, guess the distance
Shutter: Prontor-SVS leaf shutter, speeds: 1-1/300 +B. The shutter is cocked by the film engaging sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, so will not cock if there is not a film in the camera. This has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.
Setting : ring and scale on the lens, turns with the aperture ring, according to Light Values 2-18, separate setting possible by a knob on the lens
Shutter release: on the top plate, w/cable release socket
Cocking lever: long stroke, on the back of the camera
Frame counter: manual reset by milled film counter reseting ring on the front of the bottom plate, counts down, counter window at the center front of the top plate
Viewfinder: large 1/1 size crystal bright-frame viewfinder on tall housing
Re-wind knob: on the left of the top plate, a pop-up knob by a small lever on left side of the camera
Re-wind release: unlocks when the re-wind knob pops-up
Flash PC socket: on the left of the lens flange
Flash sync: X and M, sets by a lever on the left of the lens flange
Cold-shoe
Self-timer: set the synchronising lever to the V (green)
Back cover: hinged, a part of the bottom plate folds open to facilitate the exchange of the film cartridge as well as to open the camera's back door
Tripod socket: 1/4" (actually a 3/8" socket with a pre-installed 1/4" adapter)
Strap knobs
Body: metal; Weight: 610g

Other models of B series[]

Voigtländer Vito BL
Voigtländer Vito BR

Notes[]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Denton, Voigtlander Vito B. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "denton" defined multiple times with different content
↑ Voigtlander Vito Cameras - Vito B.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 South 2001.
↑ Elek 2008.
↑ Keith South, Voigtlander Vito B, skopar f/2.8, 35mm camera c1954.

Links[]

In English:

in UK Camera [1]
in Voigtlander Collection [2]
in Doppeld [3]
Matt Denton, Voigtlander Vito B.
Daniel Jiménez, Voigtlander Vito B.
Mike Elek (2008), Voigtlander Vito B.
Keith South (2001), Voigtlander Vito B survey. Living Image Camera Museum.
Keith South, Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954.

In French:

On www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand :
- Voigtlander Vito B
- Voigtlander Vito B
- Voigtlander Vito B
- Voigtlander Vito B
- Vito B], Vito B user manual: German and French

[denton-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Denton, Voigtlander Vito B. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "denton" defined multiple times with different content

[marriott-2] Voigtlander Vito Cameras - Vito B.

[licmsurvey-3] 3.0 ^3.1 South 2001.

[elek-4] Elek 2008.

[5] Keith South, Voigtlander Vito B, skopar f/2.8, 35mm camera c1954.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Flickr_image
-{{Flickr image
-| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2187982412/in/pool-camerapedia/
+|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/4575454822/in/pool-46195334@N00/
-| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2187982412_b0fc3dbb49_m.jpg
+|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/4575454822_aa1ae08590.jpg
-| image_align=right
+|image_align= center
+|image_text= Voigtländer Vito B original small finder model <small>image by Alfred Sigaro</small>
-| image_text=The original Vito B.
+|image_by= Alfred Sigaro
+|image_rights= with permission
 }}
-The '''Vito B''' is an attractive and compact 35mm viewfinder introduced in 1954 by [[Voigtländer]]. It has the fine Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 or f/2.8 lens (a four element [[Tessar]]-type) in a 4-speed [[Pronto]] or 8-speed [[Prontor]] shutter.
+[[File:Voigtländer_Vito_B_01.jpg|thumb|500px|center|Voigtländer Vito B late large finder model c.1959]]
+The '''Vito B''' is an attractive and compact 35mm viewfinder made by [[Voigtländer]] and produced between 1954-60. It has the fine Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 or f/2.8 lens (a four element [[Tessar]]-type) in a 4-speed [[Pronto]] or 8-speed [[Prontor]] shutter.
 ==Shutter==
+{{Flickr_image
+|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/silhouettepies/499745264/in/pool-46195334@N00/
+|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/499745264_ebec2ef326.jpg
+|image_align=center
+|image_text= Voigtländer Vito B outfit, original small finder model <small>image by Patrick Stacey </small>
+|image_by= Patrick Stacey
+|image_rights= with permission
+}}
-The Vito B was equipped with either a 4-speed [[Pronto]] (B, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/200th sec)<ref name="denton">Denton, ''Voigtlander Vito B''.</ref> or 8-speed (B, 1, 1/2, 1/5th, 1/10th, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/300th sec) [[Prontor]] SVS shutter, the 4-speed shutter being discontinued in 1959.<ref name="marriott">[http://www.marriottworld.com/vito_cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito Cameras - Vito B].</ref> The shutter is cocked by the film engaging a sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, and so will not cock if there is not a film present;<ref name="licmsurvey">South 2001.</ref> this has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.
+The Vito B was equipped with either a 4-speed [[Pronto]] (B, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/200th sec)<ref name="denton">Denton, ''Voigtlander Vito B''.</ref> or 8-speed (B, 1, 1/2, 1/5th, 1/10th, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/300th sec) [[Prontor]] SVS shutter, the 4-speed shutter being discontinued in 1957.<ref name="marriott">[http://www.marriottworld.com/vito_cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito Cameras - Vito B].</ref> The shutter is cocked by the film engaging a sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, and so will not cock if there is not a film present;<ref name="licmsurvey">South 2001.</ref> this has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.
 The [[self-timer]] mechanism can be engaged by moving the synchronising lever to the V (green) position; however, given the age of the camera and the weak governing spring,<ref name="denton"> Denton, [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html Voigtlander Vito B]</ref> using this feature is discouraged, as it can cause the camera to stop working.<ref name="licmsurvey" />
-Nine times out of ten, a non working self timer is due to muck, not springs. There is a watch mechanism that controls the self timer, but, unlike a watch, it is not effectively sealed. Nearly all cameras with Prontor or Compur mechanisms need regular cleaning if they are used regularly. Even the shutter timing mechanism is clockwork and it only takes a speck of dust to jam it. People then start ripping them apart, usually from the wrong end and end up with a pile of non working bits. (Guess how I know). (Added by Laurie Pettitt)
+Nine times out of ten, a non working self timer is due to muck, not springs. There is a watch mechanism that controls the self timer, but, unlike a watch, it is not effectively sealed. Nearly all cameras with Prontor or Compur mechanisms need regular cleaning if they are used regularly. Even the shutter timing mechanism is clockwork and it only takes a speck of dust to jam it. People then start ripping them apart, usually from the wrong end and end up with a pile of non working bits.
+{{Flickr_image
+|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbroglin/4141499906/in/pool-46195334@N00/
+|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4141499906_1071fd414c.jpg
+|image_align= center
+|image_text= Voigtländer Vito B, late large finder model <small>image by David Broglin</small>
+|image_by= David Broglin
+|image_rights= with permission
+}}
 ==Aesthetics and ergonomics==
+[[File:VoigtlandervitoB00001-305x183.jpg|thumb|250px]]
-The Vito B's body is compact and rounded, a look characterised as "cute".<ref name="elek">Elek 2008.</ref> It has some nice features including a hinged baseplate for easy loading (which also releases the back) and a milled film counter that counts down rather than up.
+The Vito B's body is compact and rounded, a look characterised as "cute".<ref name="elek">Elek 2008.</ref> It has some nice features including a hinged baseplate for easy loading (which also releases the back) and a milled film counter that counts down rather than up.
-The Vito B body existed in two versions, the first one had a small viewfinder and low profile top plate. The later version, brought out in 1959 had a larger bright-frame viewfinder; while brighter and more useful than the original Vito B's viewfinder, some enthusiasts feel that this spoiled the appearance of the camera.<ref>Keith South, ''Voigtlander Vito B, skopar f/2.8, 35mm camera c1954''.</ref>
+The Vito B body existed in two versions, the first one (1954-57) had a '''small viewfinder''' and low profile top plate. The later version (1957-60) had a '''larger bright-frame viewfinder'''; while brighter and more useful than the original Vito B's viewfinder, some enthusiasts feel that this spoiled the appearance of the camera.<ref>Keith South, ''Voigtlander Vito B, skopar f/2.8, 35mm camera c1954''.</ref>
-==Variants==
-The '''Vito BL''' was a variant with a [[Bewi]] [[selenium meter|selenium exposure meter]] (<ref name="retrography">which one collector derides as "annoying,  crappy and unreliable" Simonsen, [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com]</ref>), mainly made for export to the USA.
+==Specifications==
-The '''Vito BR''' is an uncommon variant with a [[coupled rangefinder]].
+<gallery widths="250" position="center" columns="2" navigation="true">
+Voigtländer Vito B 04.JPG
+Voigtländer Vito B 02.JPG
+10736514755_958c764857_o.jpg|Voigtlander Vito-B f2.8 Skopar|link=https://www.flickr.com/photos/78182233@N03/10736514755/in/album-72157660110327656/
+</gallery>
+*Embossing on the top plate: Vito B
+*Lens:Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 filter slip-on
+*Aperture: f/3.5-f/22 setting: ring and scale on the lens, turns with the speed ring, according to Light Values 2-18, separate setting possible by a knob on the lens
+*Focus range: 1-20m + inf
+*Focusing: manual front element focusing, guess the distance
+*Shutter: Prontor-SVS leaf shutter, speeds: 1-1/300 +B. The shutter is cocked by the film engaging sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, so will not cock if there is not a film in the camera. This has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.
+*Setting : ring and scale on the lens, turns with the aperture ring, according to Light Values 2-18, separate setting possible by a knob on the lens
+*Shutter release: on the top plate, w/cable release socket
+*Cocking lever: long stroke, on the back of the camera
+*Frame counter: manual reset by milled film counter reseting ring on the front of the bottom plate, counts down, counter window at the center front of the top plate
+*Viewfinder: large 1/1 size crystal bright-frame viewfinder on tall housing
+*Re-wind knob: on the left of the top plate, a pop-up knob by a small lever on left side of the camera
+*Re-wind release: unlocks when the re-wind knob pops-up
+*Flash PC socket: on the left of the lens flange
+*Flash sync: X and M, sets by a lever on the left of the lens flange
+*Cold-shoe
+*Self-timer: set the synchronising lever to the V (green)
+*Back cover: hinged, a part of the bottom plate folds open to facilitate the exchange of the film cartridge as well as to open the camera's back door
+*Tripod socket: 1/4" (actually a 3/8" socket with a pre-installed 1/4" adapter)
+*Strap knobs
+*Body: metal; Weight: 610g
+<gallery widths="250" position="center" columns="2">
+Voigtländer Vito B 06.JPG
+Voigtländer Vito B 07.JPG
+Voigtländer Vito B 08.JPG
+Voigtländer Vito B 05.JPG
+</gallery>
+==Other models of B series==
-{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center"
-|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/panaromico/1055104448/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1015/1055104448_e7f6ed2b0b_m.jpg]
-|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/876041757/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1348/876041757_e060eaf998_m.jpg]
-|-
-|| ''Vito B, large finder. {{creative commons}}''
-|| ''Vito BL. {{creative commons}}''
-|}
+*[[Voigtländer Vito BL]]
-{{br}}
+*[[Voigtländer Vito BR]]
-==References==
+== Notes ==
 <references />
-* Matt Denton, [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html Voigtlander Vito B].
-* Mike Elek (2008), [http://www.elekm.net/pages/cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito B].
-* Keith South (2001), [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB2Survey.html Voigtlander Vito B survey]. ''Living Image Camera Museum''.
-* Keith South, [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB1st.html Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954].
-* Simon Simonsen, [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com]
 == Links ==
-* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_B.php Vito B], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_BL.php Vito BL], Vito B user manual: [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_Vito_B_de&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B&PHPSESSID=a1a8096b48babd167c812fea51423929 German] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_vito_B&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B French] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
 In English:
+*in UK Camera [http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/voigt11b.htm]
-* [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com] by Simon Simonsen, Denmark
+*in Voigtlander Collection [http://voigtlander.pagesperso-orange.fr/cadresA.htm]
+*in Doppeld [http://home.wtnet.de/~ddrescher/voigtlaender/index.htm]
+* Matt Denton, [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html Voigtlander Vito B].
+* Daniel Jiménez, [https://sites.google.com/site/fromthefocalplanetoinfinity/vitob Voigtlander Vito B].
+* Mike Elek (2008), [http://www.elekm.net/pages/cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito B].
+* Keith South (2001), [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/Voigtlander_VitoB2-Survey.html Voigtlander Vito B survey]. ''Living Image Camera Museum''.
+* Keith South, [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/Voigtlander_Vito-B1st.html Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954].
+<!-- This site seems dead:
+* Simon Simonsen, [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com] -->
+In French:
+* On [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand :
+**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=2146 Voigtlander Vito B]
+**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=2149 Voigtlander Vito B]
+**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11762 Voigtlander Vito B]
+**  [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=2691 Voigtlander Vito B]
+** Vito B], Vito B user manual: [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_Vito_B_de&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B&PHPSESSID=a1a8096b48babd167c812fea51423929 German] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_vito_B&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B French]
 [[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]]
 [[Category: German 35mm rangefinder]]