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*Self-timer: set the synchronising lever to the V (green)
 
*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
 
*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"
+
*Tripod socket: 1/4" (actually a 3/8" socket with a pre-installed 1/4" adapter)
 
*Strap knobs
 
*Strap knobs
 
*Body: metal; Weight: 610g
 
*Body: metal; Weight: 610g

Revision as of 08:21, 7 May 2013

File:Voigtländer Vito B 01.jpg

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

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.


Aesthetics and ergonomics

VoigtlandervitoB00001-305x183

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. 1.0 1.1 Denton, Voigtlander Vito B. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "denton" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Voigtlander Vito Cameras - Vito B.
  3. 3.0 3.1 South 2001.
  4. Elek 2008.
  5. Keith South, Voigtlander Vito B, skopar f/2.8, 35mm camera c1954.

Links

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