perekeo II please help...

chris77 · Jan 19, 2017

hello apug.
i just bought a perkeo 2 and got no manual of course.
the camera is empty, counter shows 9, i can cock the shutter but not fire it normally, only by using the little lever on the side of the shutter.

is it because there is no film inside?
or is there some mechanism to understand with this camera??
what is the little lever just next to the finder for?
it moves the counter to 8..

thanks for any advice on using this beautiful camera.
chris.

summicron1 · Jan 19, 2017

the camera has an interlock to prevent double exposure. You don't need to have film in the camera, but you do need to turn the film advance knob to release it before using the body shutter button.

it also appears to stop winding at each frame, so you want to read the manual here:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_perkeo_ii.pdf

chris77 · Jan 19, 2017

summicron1 said:
the camera has an interlock to prevent double exposure. You don't need to have film in the camera, but you do need to turn the film advance knob to release it before using the body shutter button.

it also appears to stop winding at each frame, so you want to read the manual here:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_perkeo_ii.pdf

thank you very much. this really helps...
have a nice day.
chris

HiHoSilver · Jan 19, 2017

A trip through Certo6.com might be an idea.

While the majority of folders are rather straightforward affairs as far as loading, taking pictures, and rewinding are concerned, the Certo Six is a tad different and needs a few words of explanation for the novice or first time user. **I have received more than one back from a customer who through lack of expertise and knowledge turned a perfectly good Certo Six into a parts camera.** The following a short guide to the basics of this fine unique camera.

http://www.certo6.com/file_download/3/CertoSixInstructions.pdf

frank · Jan 19, 2017

Perkeo 2 is a fine camera, just a bit fiddly with that interlock.

chris77 · Jan 19, 2017

frank said:
Perkeo 2 is a fine camera, just a bit fiddly with that interlock.

yes... i like it already...
just put my first roll of delta3200 in and cant wait to try it tomorrow!!

Alan9940 · Jan 19, 2017

frank said:
Perkeo 2 is a fine camera, just a bit fiddly with that interlock.

I love the Perkeo II...it just doesn't love me! I've tried two different cameras--one bought off eBay and the other bought from a highly regarded dealer of these old folders--and both were sent back because I could not successfully run an entire roll of film through either camera. I researched and researched trying to figure out if it was something I was doing wrong vis-a-vis that "bit fiddly interlock" all to no avail. Perhaps, I've just been really unlucky...

chris77 · Jan 19, 2017

i wonder.. shall i accept the slower speeds being off by at least 1 stop and live with it or have others users here successfully opened and cleaned the synchro compur shutter? and did cleaning really help with the speeds?

summicron1 · Jan 19, 2017

_*_ said:
i wonder.. shall i accept the slower speeds being off by at least 1 stop and live with it or have others users here successfully opened and cleaned the synchro compur shutter? and did cleaning really help with the speeds?

Just use it. How often do you shoot at a fifth of a second anyway?

frank · Jan 19, 2017

Unless you're shooting chromes, no problem!

bunip · Jan 19, 2017

I have 3 perkeo II with synchro compur and 2 with a prontor-s; always use one with prontor-s. more consistent exposure times. I built a simple shutter tester (Dead Link Removed) that works with a PC and the microphone socket and tested the exposure times; they were on the best sample 10% less than the scale. What I suggest is testing exposures for lenght and consistency (by a tester or by exposing film) and build your own speeds scale if you don't like to pay for a maybe unnecessary CLA. About the film advance you need to carefully read the instruction manual. then remember not to press the shutter button when the shutter isn't cocked because the double exposure prevention mechainsm feel your pression and acts as you fired the shutter. when you cock the shutter after that you'll not be able to press again the body release (unless you advance the film at the next frame) and you will need to shoot by your finger at the small lever on the shutter. so always be sure the shutter is cocked when pressing the body release. for best sharpness be sure the folding mechanism is all opened by pressing down in position the two struts (parts number 4 in the user manual linked by summicron1) and be sure the pressure plate has some force against the film when closed and perfectly flat. Also the film spring that retains the full rollfilm into the right-hand film chamber should be tight on the film spool till film's end at 12th exposure insuring some tension on the film when loading and advancing the next frame.

bunip · Jan 19, 2017

If you'll love your perkeo you'll need soon the voigtlandre Kontur frame finder, some filters, a lens shade and his beautyfull rangefinder

P.S. less than 1/100 needs a tripod if you print or project large

darinwc · Jan 19, 2017

I have a lovely Perkeo II but I have not had a chance to put film through it yet. Its a nice little camera thats for sure.
The film advance is linked to a cylinder inside that turns when the film runs along it. Without film, you have to open the camera and turn the cylinder for each frame.
Wish I could find a reliable shoe-mount rangefinder though. Got a watameter but its way off.

bunip · Jan 20, 2017

the Voigtlander shoe-mount rangefinder is adjustable by a small screw on the focusing wheel. in case you get one that is off you can calibrate it without any tool, just your fingers.

chris77 · Jan 20, 2017

bunip said:
If you'll love your perkeo you'll need soon the voigtlandre Kontur frame finder, some filters, a lens shade and his beautyfull rangefinder

P.S. less than 1/100 needs a tripod if you print or project large

thanks for all the good advice..
chris

bunip · Jan 20, 2017

After testing speeds, if you think you need to adjust the shutter because sticky, it is not too difficoult to clean it without disassembling completely. But this should be done only if you find erratic values for the same exposure time and if you feel good with micro surgery.

macfred · Jan 20, 2017

Those Perkeo's are remarkable cameras - my father in law had a Perkeo I with Vaskar 80mm f/4.5 (it was kind of an economic version in that Perkeo range) - the one with the Color Skopar 80mm f3.5 should be the better one.
Here are a few photographs he and his father took decades ago (I found the negatives while cleaning up his house and scanned them for him) :

German Volkswagen - French Occupation Zone by Andreas, on Flickr

Long Ago - Far Away by Andreas, on Flickr

Religious Procession by Andreas, on Flickr

Group portrait - Germany, 1950's by Andreas, on Flickr

I guess your Perkeo II is worth a CLA.

chris77 · Jan 20, 2017

bunip said:
After testing speeds, if you think you need to adjust the shutter because sticky, it is not too difficoult to clean it without disassembling completely. But this should be done only if you find erratic values for the same exposure time and if you feel good with micro surgery.

i will try it out.... then decide... thanks

chris77 · Jan 20, 2017

macfred said:
Those Perkeo's are remarkable cameras - my father in law had a Perkeo I with Vaskar 80mm f/4.5 (it was kind of an economic version in that Perkeo range) - the one with the Color Skopar 80mm f3.5 should be the better one.
Here are a few photographs he and his father took decades ago (I found the negatives while cleaning up his house and scanned them for him) :

German Volkswagen - French Occupation Zone by Andreas, on Flickr

Long Ago - Far Away by Andreas, on Flickr

Religious Procession by Andreas, on Flickr

Group portrait - Germany, 1950's by Andreas, on Flickr

I guess your Perkeo II is worth a CLA.

thanks for sharing...

Julie McLeod · Jan 20, 2017

macfred said:
Those Perkeo's are remarkable cameras - my father in law had a Perkeo I with Vaskar 80mm f/4.5 (it was kind of an economic version in that Perkeo range) - the one with the Color Skopar 80mm f3.5 should be the better one.
Here are a few photographs he and his father took decades ago (I found the negatives while cleaning up his house and scanned them for him) :

Those pictures are wonderful. I have a Perkeo II that was gifted to me and these inspire me to load some film and give it a whirl. Thanks for sharing.

DWThomas · Jan 20, 2017

One of my favorites taken with a Perkeo II is (there was a url link here which no longer exists). They can be a little fiddly, and the front standard tends to block some of the lower right viewfinder to my aging eyes, but they are surprisingly capable.

Huss · Jan 20, 2017

macfred said:
Those Perkeo's are remarkable cameras - my father in law had a Perkeo I with Vaskar 80mm f/4.5 (it was kind of an economic version in that Perkeo range) - the one with the Color Skopar 80mm f3.5 should be the better one.
Here are a few photographs he and his father took decades ago (I found the negatives while cleaning up his house and scanned them for him) :

German Volkswagen - French Occupation Zone by Andreas, on Flickr

Long Ago - Far Away by Andreas, on Flickr

Religious Procession by Andreas, on Flickr

Group portrait - Germany, 1950's by Andreas, on Flickr

I guess your Perkeo II is worth a CLA.

really nice pics, thanks for sharing with us.

macfred · Jan 20, 2017

A few more - for your entertainment ...

Umbrella, Anyone ? by Andreas, on Flickr

Film Noir by Andreas, on Flickr

The Wild One by Andreas, on Flickr

frank · Jan 20, 2017

Thanks for sharing these pics, Macfred!

onre · Jan 20, 2017

Absolutely great photographs. Very good job from the photographer!

perekeo II please help...

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