Voigtländer Vito B

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

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) 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. 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; 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, using this feature is discouraged, as it can cause the camera to stop working.

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, 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". 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.

Other models of B series

Vito BL

• 1956-60
• There are many variants with various lens/shutter combinations
• Tall housing with large 1:1 viewfinder or bright-line finder
• Exposuremeter: Bewi-Automat selenium exposure meter or
• Bertram (mainly for export)
• Color Skopar 2,8 & 3,5/50
• Prontor SVS

Voigtländer Vito BL image by Alfred Sigaro  (Image rights)

Vito BR

• 1958-60
• Large bright-line viewfinder finder and coupled rangefinder, a rare camera
• Color Skopar 2,8/50
• Prontor SLK

Voigtländer Vito BR image by Alfred Sigaro  (Image rights)

Links

In English:

• in UK Camera [1]
• in Voigtlander Collection [2]
• in Doppeld [3]
• Matt Denton, 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:

• Vito B, Vito BL, Vito B user manual: German and French on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand