Voigtlander Vito B premature Shutter function

pentaxpete · Feb 17, 2019

Just given by a camera Club member his 1950's classic German 'Voigtander Vito B' in good condition BUT when i loaded a 'test Film' to get the shutter working i found there is a fault -- I cannot release shutter with the button as when I complete the film wind action the shutter fires THEN !
I see there is one screw in the film cassette chamber at top and there is one other on the accessory shoe. is it worth a 'look' or shall I seek out a 'Classic Camera repairer' here in England at great Cost OR have any members of THIS Group got any advice ?

R.Gould · Feb 17, 2019

Can't help with the problem Pete. but I have a Vito B and love it, I have taken some terrific shots with it in fact it was the first classic 35mm camera I ever bought, for the grand sum of £29, about 15 years ago and still going strong, just a suggestion that it could be something to do with the film advance, to test this turn the wheel in the center top of tje frame, tis is turned by the film sprocket and is the wheel that sets the shutter, if you turn it untill the shutter sets and the film advance lever locks and the shutter does not fire then you know it is something to do with the film advance, hope this helps you find the problem
Richard

shutterfinger · Feb 17, 2019

According to this instruction manual http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_vito_b_donate.pdf shows the camera equipped with either a Prontor or Prontor SVS shutter.
I have factory repair manuals for these shutters on my google drive if you want/need them, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1sPJkp-MdghNGM1aGY5akgtTmc?usp=sharing
Now with the shutter immediately releasing at the end of the cocking sequence either the shutter is not being fully cocked so that it latches or the release lever is not fully disengaged allowing release at the end of cocking. There are also levers internal of the shutter that may be sticking and not catching the mechanism as they should.
The service manuals show the Large Format versions of the shutters and camera body incorporated versions have some difference in the cocking and release levers.
Sit the camera in a warm location until the metal parts feel normal room temperature to the touch then operate the camera several times verifying that the wind action is at the end of stroke, the release button is fully extended, and the rewind is fully disengaged.

All parts will come off from the front of the camera if you decide to open it up and have a look.

SalveSlog · Feb 18, 2019

I doubt that the problem is inside the shutter.

I have messed around inside a couple of these cameras. Without doing anything with the shutter, you can remove the complete lens/shutter assembly by unscrewing 4 screws which you will find under the front leather. After that, I may not be able to help you any further, except supplying a few pictures of my own mess with it. I found the winding/release mechanism difficult to understand.

Eric Rose · Feb 18, 2019

Darn I hate it when that happens

shutterfinger · Feb 18, 2019

Does the shutter run at the speed set by the dial or does it run at a constant speed?

grahamp · Feb 18, 2019

There is a small plunger inside the shutter release for the cable release. it should be visible and just below the threaded section. If it is depressed, then an early trip is possible.

pentaxpete · Feb 19, 2019

YO !!! Grahamp !!! You are a 'Saviour' !!! That seemed to be the Problem -- I tried with a Cable release and pressed it then shutter fired , then I have wound on and NO shutter went prematurely until I pressed the release button gently as it should be . the 'Donor' said he had used it about 10 years ago and it was working OK --- now I will try it outside. I used a FLASH inside and that went OK --- keeping fingers crossed ----- YO !!

Kino · Feb 19, 2019

Put a drop of solvent in the top of the shutter release and exercise it. That should do the trick.

SalveSlog · Feb 19, 2019

Hurray for Savior grahamp!

grahamp · Feb 19, 2019

The one I have used to be my father's. Apart from scale focusing and a small finder, it's a nice little camera, and very quiet. You can still find push-fit filters. The old black Kodak film can lids work as a lens cap if you carve out the internal lip.

shutterfinger · Feb 20, 2019

So a stuck lever was causing the problem and operating the cable socket release released it. Lucky you! You did not have to disassemble anything. The few Prontor and Compur shutters I've encountered that released immediately upon releasing the cocking lever required a full disassembly CLA to get them to work properly. Please let everyone know how the pictures turn out.

pentaxpete · Feb 20, 2019

YES -- will show a few results -- film loaded is a Fuji Superia 200 as i have LOTS of C41 film -- not so much B&W.

pentaxpete · Feb 20, 2019

Well today I took a few Test Shots, Cut the Film and processed in well-used C41 -- The Shutter Fault seems to have returned ! Flash works OK though
Flash Indoors at f11

Vito B Tests 01 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
Flash OUTDOORS at f5.6

Vito B Tests 02 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
Full Aperture Test at f3.5 -- distance measured with Tape Measure 3.5 feet , Tripod used.( No Animals or Humans were harmed in making this photo )

Vito B Tests 03 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
Chelmsford, Essex England f11

Vito B Tests 04 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Vito B Tests 05 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Vito B Tests 06 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

shutterfinger · Feb 20, 2019

pentaxpete said:
The Shutter Fault seems to have returned

Not surprising. Shutter CLA neded.

Voigtlander Vito B premature Shutter function

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