Voigtlander Vito B

tjaded · Aug 1, 2007

Hi all--
I just got a Voigtlander Vito B, unfortunately the seller neglected to mention that the shutter is frozen solid. Anyhoo, does anyone know of a good place to send it for a CLA? Also, I would like to find an instruction manual for it, a pdf would be fine. If you happen to know of a website with that manual, I would love to know of it.
Thanks,
Matt (the too eager eBayer...)

Andy K · Aug 1, 2007

The Vito B is similar to the Vito CLR, which is the only version I know with an online instruction manual, here: http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/instructions/vito_clr/withpictures.htm

lens_hacker · Aug 1, 2007

Essex quotes $90 for the repair. KEH might be cheaper, but you will have to Email them. You might be able to find someone cheaper, but chances are the repair will run more than the camera cost.

If you can get to the shutter, often treating with Ronsonol (lighter Fluid) or 99% Isopropyl Alchohol will fix it up. Works two out of three times for my old cameras.

Sometimes just exercising the mechanism will spark them back to life.

DaveOttawa · Aug 1, 2007

Are you sure...

..the shutter is frozen? Did you try loading film and seeing if the shutter would fire? Just operating the film advance lever does not cock the shutter and allow you to fire it.
I have a Vito B, look here to see pics:
http://www.pbase.com/dave85/voigt200
If it's the same as yours and you have any questions let me know.

tjaded said:
Hi all--
I just got a Voigtlander Vito B, unfortunately the seller neglected to mention that the shutter is frozen solid. Anyhoo, does anyone know of a good place to send it for a CLA? Also, I would like to find an instruction manual for it, a pdf would be fine. If you happen to know of a website with that manual, I would love to know of it.
Thanks,
Matt (the too eager eBayer...)

mitica100 · Aug 1, 2007

Hi Matt,

Try this: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_pdf_manuals.htm

Good luck.

Dimitri

tjaded · Aug 1, 2007

DaveOttawa said:
..the shutter is frozen? Did you try loading film and seeing if the shutter would fire? Just operating the film advance lever does not cock the shutter and allow you to fire it.
I have a Vito B, look here to see pics:
http://www.pbase.com/dave85/voigt200
If it's the same as yours and you have any questions let me know.

With film in the camera you can press the shutter release button down, but the iris stays shut no matter what. Not surprising, given it's age and all.

lens_hacker · Aug 1, 2007

Sorry to hear that, I had high hopes for you after reading that tidbit! Some of my Kodak 35mm's only work with film in them.

Check around for a quote from a shop. If not, I had a Kodak Retina IIIc with a stuck shutter repaired by an Ebay seller that goes by "WWMARK". He only charged $25 for the work. I'm sure he "flood" cleaned the shutter back to operation, but also cleaned the VF etc. That was four years ago. He is still on Ebay. Worth a shot, and cheaper than a regular repair shop. AGAIN: he does this as a sideline, in his home.

DaveOttawa · Aug 1, 2007

not so simple then...

I'm sorry to hear that too, maybe not a simple problem, hope you do get it fixed though or get another working example, the viewfinder on mine isn't great but the lens is actually quite good so you can get nice prints from them.

tjaded said:
With film in the camera you can press the shutter release button down, but the iris stays shut no matter what. Not surprising, given it's age and all.

tjaded · Aug 2, 2007

Thanks for all the tips and links everyone! It's funny, even not working I have already become attached to this camera. It's VERY comfy to hold, etc. I hope to get a good CLA on it soon so it can be up and running. Dave--those pics of your Vito are super cool! Any chance you might want to scan the manual at some point? Anyway, I'll keep you all posted on the progress. I have one other interesting older camera on the way--a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex with 3 lenses. Ebay fun (hopefully working next time!)
Adios,
Matt

Stephanie Brim · Aug 2, 2007

Pick up a Vito CLR next, Matt. The rangefinder is nice.

tjaded · Aug 2, 2007

Here are a couple of pics of it:

http://www.mattosbornephotography.com/voigtlander_1.jpg

http://www.mattosbornephotography.com/voigtlander_2.jpg

lens_hacker · Aug 2, 2007

I've got that lens, a 50/3.5 Color-Skopar, on a Vitessa N. It is a great lens. Getting used to the (toilet) Plunger film advance on the Vitessa takes getting used to.

Voigtlander made great lenses. The bodies were "different", "Interesting Different", "Strange". The lenses were the best that the 1950's offered.

elekm · Aug 2, 2007

The Vito B is a cute little camera, although unspectacular ( I also have this camera with a f/2.8 lens). It appears that you have the Voigtlander rangefinder, which is a very nice accessory to have, as zone focusing a 50mm lens doesn't leave much room for error.

As these cameras are roughly 50 years old by now, it's not surprising that the shutter isn't working properly. In fact, that's usually the rule and not the exception. As long as no one has forced any of the levers, it should clean up, and you'll have a nice classic camera that you can enjoy.

This camera came in two versions with two lenses. The first version had either the f/2.8 or f/3.5 Color-Skopar lens with a simple Galilean viewfinder. The second version offered both lenses with a Van Albada viewfinder that displayed framelines. The top deck of the second version is taller -- maybe 1/2 inch or so.

Voigtlander Vito B

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