Voigtländer Vito I, double-exposure prevention malfunctioning

therska · Jun 21, 2022

15 years ago, my grandfather gave me this Voigtländer Vito camera. He bought it back from Germany in 1945, but from what I have gathered, this camera is of the earlier releases, say 1940.

I've cleaned the Prontor II shutter, and it's now working. But the double-exposure prevention system seems to be malfunctioning, as I can't wind on a second frame of film without pulling a small lever inside the housing with a pair of tweezers (see arrow 3rd picture). I have no clue what to do, as I don't know how it should work. Any ideas, or possibly clear schematics for this model?

gone · Jun 21, 2022

I've never been into one of those, but maybe you could jam that lever into the correct position? If so, I'd leave it like that. Most people who shoot folders advance the film almost, but not quite, onto the next frame after every exposure. Then snug up tight for a flat film plane when they're ready to fire the shutter.

therska · Jun 22, 2022

momus said:
I've never been into one of those, but maybe you could jam that lever into the correct position? If so, I'd leave it like that. Most people who shoot folders advance the film almost, but not quite, onto the next frame after every exposure. Then snug up tight for a flat film plane when they're ready to fire the shutter.

It's not for everyone, for sure. The Vito has bellows, but does it really qualify as a folder? This is my first vintage camera, so the learning curb has been steep.
If it works, it works, but it feels a shame having to sort of hack around the mechanism. Especially on something as finely engineered as this. I'd like to have the whole experience.

guangong · Jun 22, 2022

I don’t believe that a 35 mm requires the method of film advance mentioned above. Especially, since basic body construction often shared with non folding brethren.
In fact, I’ve been shooting 120 folders since early 1970s (Super Ikonta B), and never heard the it was “usual” to not quite advance film until ready to shoot. Since then, other folders have joined my stable and never had a problem with film flatness.
Sorry, can’t help with your problem. I’m not a DIY with cameras.

BobUK · Jun 22, 2022

I have a Vito IIa and I keep a note for myself in the case lest I should forget.

"The camera must have a film in and wound on to the next frame or it will not fire. The shutter locks otherwise"

Try a dummy film in it if you have not already done so.

Good Luck.

therska · Jun 22, 2022

BobUK said:
I have a Vito IIa and I keep a note for myself in the case lest I should forget.

"The camera must have a film in and wound on to the next frame or it will not fire. The shutter locks otherwise"

Try a dummy film in it if you have not already done so.

Good Luck.

Thanks! I need all the luck and advice I can get on this one.

You are correct. It has a little spool that "keep track of" whether you've winded on a new frame or not. The camera will not fire unless you roll the spool until it "clicks", either with film or with your finger. Quite neat if it works.

I'll put it together and see if the film change anything, but I have a suspicion it's something else.

therska · Jun 22, 2022

guangong said:
I don’t believe that a 35 mm requires the method of film advance mentioned above. Especially, since basic body construction often shared with non folding brethren.
In fact, I’ve been shooting 120 folders since early 1970s (Super Ikonta B), and never heard the it was “usual” to not quite advance film until ready to shoot. Since then, other folders have joined my stable and never had a problem with film flatness.
Sorry, can’t help with your problem. I’m not a DIY with cameras.

Okay, good to know. Thanks for your clarifications.

Sirius Glass · Jun 22, 2022

therska said:
It's not for everyone, for sure. The Vito has bellows, but does it really qualify as a folder? This is my first vintage camera, so the learning curb has been steep.
If it works, it works, but it feels a shame having to sort of hack around the mechanism. Especially on something as finely engineered as this. I'd like to have the whole experience.

The answer in a word is YES
I have the Vito IIb which sense the film movement with a roller that is moved by the sprocket holes. I would think the problem may be related to sensing it rotation and translating that into movement to reset a shutter mechanism.

Voigtländer Vito I, double-exposure prevention malfunctioning

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