Voigtländer Vag Maintenance Questions from a noob

I recently came into possession of a Voigtländer VAG with a Rollex film back. I hope this is the correct forum. It is a plate camera but as it i outfitted with the Rollex I intend to use 120 film for now. It is in excellent — but aged — condition. It is a bit dusty. The ground glass looks fine (there is a dent on the rim). The shutter fires and the bellows are in great shape. No light leaks that I could see. It appears to work — the shutter at least. We shall see what photos come of it.

But I have some noob questions —

• How might I clean it?
• What is okay and not okay to use?
• Is compressed air ok to use?
• Isopropyl alcohol? Or just soapy water? Or is that bad? The lettering and number is engraved but the white paint is fading or rubbed away — I do not want to damage that any further.
• There is white dust inside the bellows on the backside of the shutter -- what is it and how to remove. Photo attached.
• The mirror on the viewfinder is spitted and pitted can that be replaced or cleaned?
• Are there any parts that need lubrication? It slides a bit stiffly along the rails. But does move.
• Do I need to do anything to the bellows to keep them in pristine condition?
• I would really like to clean and polish the chrome parts so they shine again. No real rust but they are dull.
• How would I deal with rust of there is any?

Finally — the shutter cable release that came with it worked for two presses and then gave up the ghost. I was not surprised as the fabric is almost 100 years old.

• Can I use a modern cable release?
• Is the threading the same? (I guess I could get one and find out.)
• Do you have any suggestions for a cable release for this old of a camera?

Thank you in advance for dealing with and understaffing my ignorance. This is a new hobby and I wish to learn by trying and not just dropping it off to a camera repair shop and paying to have it made like new. For a Voigtländer it is not that rare or expensive. So good to learn on. I have not found a manual online -- but have seen one for the Avus which is similar but not 100% -- so I will be posting some operational questions as well separately.

On that note — any suggestion for film? I plan on shooting architecture mostly while I learn the ins and outs. And perhaps some portraits of my daughters.


Thank you.

giantelf said:

• How might I clean it?
• What is okay and not okay to use?
• Is compressed air ok to use?
• Isopropyl alcohol? Or just soapy water? Or is that bad? The lettering and number is engraved but the white paint is fading or rubbed away — I do not want to damage that any further.
• There is white dust inside the bellows on the backside of the shutter -- what is it and how to remove. Photo attached.
• The mirror on the viewfinder is spitted and pitted can that be replaced or cleaned?
• Are there any parts that need lubrication? It slides a bit stiffly along the rails. But does move.
• Do I need to do anything to the bellows to keep them in pristine condition?
• I would really like to clean and polish the chrome parts so they shine again. No real rust but they are dull.
• How would I deal with rust of there is any?

Finally — the shutter cable release that came with it worked for two presses and then gave up the ghost. I was not surprised as the fabric is almost 100 years old.

• Can I use a modern cable release?
• Is the threading the same? (I guess I could get one and find out.)
• Do you have any suggestions for a cable release for this old of a camera?

Click to expand...

Don't use alcohol on any important painted parts. It might be okay, might not, depends on the paint. A damp cloth might be all you need for most of it. Foam q-tips are helpful. Don't use alcohol on leatherette or bellows.

I've used neetsfoot oil on leather, leatherette and bellows, it hydrates, darkens, and gives it shine. Use in moderation.

The white dust looks like corrosion or paint loss.

The brilliant style viewfinders were not very good even when new. I'd ignore it and use the pop-up finder.

I think you can clean the rails and use some graphite powder.

There is a product called Rustoleum Rust Reformer that converts rust. I don't see any on this camera though.

I don't know what sort of cable release thread it has, but my 30's Voigtlander Bessas have a normal one. Even if the thread of your release is unusual, I think you can still trigger it by inserting any thin metal rod into the hole.

giantelf said:

On that note — any suggestion for film? I plan on shooting architecture mostly while I learn the ins and outs. And perhaps some portraits of my daughters.

Click to expand...

The lens will be relatively low contrast, so I'd go with slide film or Kodak Ektar for color, and something punchy for black and white, like Ilford Pan F, FP4+, or perhaps push one of the 400 speed films one stop.

You could see about locating a push-on filter holder for it and mount yellow, orange, red filters to help with contrast. It could also help to have a lens hood.

loccdor said:

Don't use alcohol on any important painted parts. It might be okay, might not, depends on the paint. A damp cloth might be all you need for most of it. Foam q-tips are helpful. Don't use alcohol on leatherette or bellows.

I've used neetsfoot oil on leather, leatherette and bellows, it hydrates, darkens, and gives it shine. Use in moderation.

The white dust looks like corrosion or paint loss.

The brilliant style viewfinders were not very good even when new. I'd ignore it and use the pop-up finder.

I think you can clean the rails and use some graphite powder.

There is a product called Rustoleum Rust Reformer that converts rust. I don't see any on this camera though.

I don't know what sort of cable release thread it has, but my 30's Voigtlander Bessas have a normal one. Even if the thread of your release is unusual, I think you can still trigger it by inserting any thin metal rod into the hole.



The lens will be relatively low contrast, so I'd go with slide film or Kodak Ektar for color, and something punchy for black and white, like Ilford Pan F, FP4+, or perhaps push one of the 400 speed films one stop.

You could see about locating a push-on filter holder for it and mount yellow, orange, red filters to help with contrast. It could also help to have a lens hood.

Click to expand...

This great and appreciated information. Thank you for reading my post and responding with helpful info.

I have something similar, a Voigtlander Avus. I will recommend to do some gentle cleaning, and start using it as soon as possible. Only through exposing film you can figure out if there is anything needs further work.

In terms of gentle cleaning:

- Soft brush and gentle air blower on the camera body and bellows, then wipe with a moist kitchen towel. No rubbing or scrubbing yet.
- You do need to clean the lens: both the front group and the back group should be able to be screwed off fairly easily. You can use a friction rubber/silicon sheet that is used to open jars. But don't put too much pressure on anything. Once the optical groups are out, first soft brush and air blowing to get rid of larger dust, then you can use eyeglass/lens cleaner, Q-Tip and microfiber cloth to clean the glass surfaces.
- If the shutter is working for most part, I will not attempt to clean it (yet).
- The focusing rail might be tight, but maybe you can live with it for the time being so you can shoot your first roll.
- The focus ground glass: you can clean the same way as the lens groups

And lastly, yes you should be able to use modern shutter release. They are pretty standard.