Looking for info on Voightlander Vito I

[OutsideShooter]

I am currently looking at a Vitoamtic I. I had not heard of this but was hoping if this model really exists that someone could point me in the right direction. And perhaps what this might sell for with a color skopar 50/f2.8 lens. Is this a true RF?

BTW this is my first post here & if I'm in the wrong forum please let me know & I'll be happy to move.

Thanks
Rich

[radiocemetery]

Hello Rich,
Welcome to RFF. Try this link for Voigtlander info.http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/classa.html
The Vitomatic I is not a rangefinder, but the Vitomatic II is. I have a Vitomatic II with the Color Skopar 2.8. I like this camera and lens a lot. It is very well built, has a quiet shutter takes very good pictures. An added plus is the rangefider of the Vitomatic II. It is easy to focus with both eyes open since the image in the viewfinder is life size. I have seen some Vitomatic Is with the 2.8 skopar but it is more common to see the I with a 3.5 Skopar.

Regards, Steve

[ZeissFan]

First off, welcome.

A slight correction on the spelling. It's Voigtlander -- no "h" even though it looks like there is one.

Now, on to the Vitomatic.

This is a 35mm camera. Some have rangefinders. Some are zone focus. The Vitomatic has a selenium meter, if I recall. It uses either a match-needle or a trap-needle system to set exposure. I have a Vitomatic IIb that uses a match-needle selenium meter system. Mine also has a rangefinder, so it depends on the camera.

The 50mm Color-Skopar means it's a coated lens and is a Tessar variant. It's a very sharp lens and will perform best around f/8. However, it's still good at larger apertures.

The rigid-front Vitos used Prontor shutters. Typical problems with these cameras usually include gummed up shutters and gummed up helicals.

What the buyer usually faces is the cost of service, which can exceed the cost of the camera. Keep that in mind when buying. So see if the shutter is OK.

[OutsideShooter]

Originally Posted by radiocemetery

Hello Rich,
Welcome to RFF. Try this link for Voigtlander info.http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/classa.html
The Vitomatic I is not a rangefinder, but the Vitomatic II is. I have a Vitomatic II with the Color Skopar 2.8. I like this camera and lens a lot. It is very well built, has a quiet shutter takes very good pictures. An added plus is the rangefider of the Vitomatic II. It is easy to focus with both eyes open since the image in the viewfinder is life size. I have seen some Vitomatic Is with the 2.8 skopar but it is more common to see the I with a 3.5 Skopar.

Regards, Steve

Thanks Steve,

That link helped. I appreciate it. I lost one of these years ago & of course everyone I have ever seen has to be the one I lost :> right? It was a gift & I really miss it. Anyway I have emailed & asked about whether this guy is really sure about it being a I vs a II because of the lens.

Mnay thanks
Rich

[OutsideShooter]

Originally Posted by ZeissFan

First off, welcome.

A slight correction on the spelling. It's Voigtlander -- no "h" even though it looks like there is one.

Now, on to the Vitomatic.

This is a 35mm camera. Some have rangefinders. Some are zone focus. The Vitomatic has a selenium meter, if I recall. It uses either a match-needle or a trap-needle system to set exposure. I have a Vitomatic IIb that uses a match-needle selenium meter system. Mine also has a rangefinder, so it depends on the camera.

The 50mm Color-Skopar means it's a coated lens and is a Tessar variant. It's a very sharp lens and will perform best around f/8. However, it's still good at larger apertures.

The rigid-front Vitos used Prontor shutters. Typical problems with these cameras usually include gummed up shutters and gummed up helicals.

What the buyer usually faces is the cost of service, which can exceed the cost of the camera. Keep that in mind when buying. So see if the shutter is OK.

Of course you are right about the spelling. I am usually very good at this but I was typing too rapidly. Thanks. Your advice as to this being a 35mm vs a RF gave me some ammo when replying with a query . I'll see what he comes back with. I did mention my concern over the shutter & helical. What's a helical? Is that the lens leaves which allow for bokeh?

Thanks for the info specially about service being a real consideration. Where do you get your's serviced? I am in WA State.

[OutsideShooter]

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Rich/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]This is a poor image but what it looks like in his post. I'm sure it is hard to tell what it looks like from this. But thought I would plant it here in the hopes it might help. He calls this the Vitomatic I. What do you think?

[ZeissFan]

I would say the seller is correct in calling it a Vitomatic I. These are all variations of the Vito B design.

This uses a match-needle system based on a selenium meter.

It is zone focus, because there is no secondary rangefinder window. This has a Van Albada viewfinder, so you should have framelines in the viewfinder. That's a plus, because you can get more accurate framing.

The helical simply are the focusing threads. With 50-year-old cameras, the lubrication often has thickened, which makes focusing tight. However, because it's a zone focus camera, it's not as big a concern.

The lens appears to be clean. Ask if the lens has fungus or mold, cleaning marks, scratches or haze.

Also ask if the selenium meter is still accurate. Forgot to add that part.

Looks to be a decent camera.

This is a Vito B, and you can see how the Vitomatic is based on this camera.

[ZeissFan]

I should add that some of the later Vito cameras (CL, CLR, etc.) are larger than the original Vito B although they adhered to the same Vito shape with the rounded ends and flat top decks.

[OutsideShooter]

I could ask if the Selenium meter is still accurate but how owuld I know if his answer is true? Would he be able to measure it against a modern light meter? The reference to marks or scratches could be anywhere. yes? But the haze, fungus & mold would be in either the Viewfinder or lens?

I'm hitting the rack as I need to get up early tomorrow. But as Arnold likes to say "I'll be back."

[ZeissFan]

On a sunny day outside, the light meter should give roughly f/16 and 1/(film speed).

Let's say the seller is aiming at a sidewalk and has the meter set for ASA200. The meter should give roughly f/16 and 1/200 of a second. But there's no 1/200 speed on a Prontor, so it would be f/11 at 1/300 -- give or take a stop.

You shouldn't point the meter at the sky, because that will give you a wildly inaccurate reading.

Also, if the meter needle "jumps" or sweeps quickly when moving from dark to light -- pointing inside a room and then to a window -- that's usually a good sign that the meter is still active. If the needle moves sluggishly, it could be an indication that the selenium cell isn't as sensitive as it once was.

The lack of a meter shouldn't affect the operation of the camera. You should still be able to select your own shutter speed-aperture combinations. The meter just takes away some of the guesswork.

[radiocemetery]

I probably got lucky with my Vitomatic II, the meter works great and produces good exposures. I use 100 or 200 speed color print film. Also you can see that Mikes Vito B has the 2.8 Skopar. I would like to find a B with that lens.

Steve