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)[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, 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]
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) |
Notes
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