Voigtlander Vito II - vanishing scale numbers

BlueWind · Dec 27, 2022

Hello
The distance scale white numbers of my Vito II are illegible. The engraved marks of those numbers are barely perceptible.
I see that in several Vito II advertised for sale, it seems a common problem.
Is there any way to "ressuscitate" the white colour of the numbers??
The small size of the numbers and the position of the scale ring does not make that an easy task.
Any sugestions and advice are welcome
Regards
Joao

Sirius Glass · Dec 27, 2022

The Voigtländer Vito II was my first serious camera and I learned to use the distance scale for determining the depth of field. You might try getting some white engraving wax to see if you can restore the numbers before buying another one, not the the replacement price is high.

Dan Daniel · Dec 27, 2022

Assuming that this is the scale near the front of the lens...

Get a white model paint, like Testors from a hobby store. Use a sewing needle or a pointed toothpick to place small drops into the numbers. Try your best to let it wick in but don't freak out when the point goes outside the borders. Let it dry overnight. Now take a small stick- like a take-out chop stick and make a small thin chisel point on it. Put a tight sleeve of tissue paper or lens tissue on the chisel point. Maybe two layers of paper. Now put a drop of naphtha/lighter fluid on the paper- somewhat dry, not dripping at all. Very lightly wipe across the top of the numbers with the chisel pojnt flat riding on the raised surface. The idea is to wipe away paint that has risen above the engraving and not touch the paint inside the engravings below the surface. It should take a few wipes to remove paint. Go slow and light

Plan on needing to do this a few times to first get a knack for it and second to correct mistakes, etc.

Sirius Glass · Dec 27, 2022

Dan Daniel said:
Assuming that this is the scale near the front of the lens...

Get a white model paint, like Testors from a hobby store. Use a sewing needle or a pointed toothpick to place small drops into the numbers. Try your best to let it wick in but don't freak out when the point goes outside the borders. Let it dry overnight. Now take a small stick- like a take-out chop stick and make a small thin chisel point on it. Put a tight sleeve of tissue paper or lens tissue on the chisel point. Maybe two layers of paper. Now put a drop of naphtha/lighter fluid on the paper- somewhat dry, not dripping at all. Very lightly wipe across the top of the numbers with the chisel pojnt flat riding on the raised surface. The idea is to wipe away paint that has risen above the engraving and not touch the paint inside the engravings below the surface. It should take a few wipes to remove paint. Go slow and light

Plan on needing to do this a few times to first get a knack for it and second to correct mistakes, etc.

Might want to cover some of the near by areas with painter's tape to minimize the clear up.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 27, 2022

One possibility is the numbers are dirty from decades of grime. Try cleaning the focus ring with something mild on a cloth, such as 409 household cleaner. Or try an alcohol wipe. If the numbers are hopelessly faded, follow Dan's excellent recommendation.

Dan Daniel · Dec 27, 2022

Kodachromeguy said:
One possibility is the numbers are dirty from decades of grime. Try cleaning the focus ring with something mild on a cloth, such as 409 household cleaner. Or try an alcohol wipe.

Excellent point. See if you can clean the sludge out. Alcohol is often the best for getting finger oil and such out of recesses. Do a little soaking with a cotton swab on an area and see what happens.

BlueWind · Dec 28, 2022

I am grateful for your replies
The numbers are not obscured, the paint has really vanished.
In other cameras I used to borrow my grandchildren wax marker (white), sharpen it, soften it ner a flame and "paint" the numbers. Any excess white wax is easily removed. Here the problem is the lack of space - the numbers are too small and the grooves are very shallow. I have some white thin acrylic paint, so I will try Dan Daniel's advice. I will need a loupe - and patience.
Thank you again
Joao

Dan Daniel · Dec 28, 2022

If you use acrylic paint, you might switch to water, not naphtha, on the wiping tool. Not too wet.

With the right needle applicator and steady hands, you can get paint to wick into the etchings and need almost no clean up. Theoretically, at least

Nitroplait · Dec 28, 2022

For work like that, I use the strongest off-the-shelf reading glasses I can find in my drugstore - easier than fumbling with a loupe. Fixing the camera in an ergonomic position on a table tripod also helps.

BlueWind · Dec 28, 2022

I use a loupe attached to a heavy base, it gives enough magnification, I hope. (attached photo)
I will post images of the result
Regards
Joao

BlueWind · Dec 30, 2022

Hello

After some hours of struggling and despite my old eyes I managed to improve the visibility of the numbers in the distance scale ring. I used acrylic paint from a thick white acrylic marker and wood toothpicks sharpened according to the numbers being painted (or paint needing to be removed).

A well done job? Certainly not, the numbers look awful. But now I can use the camera, and that is what matters to me. I will try the camera next year

I attach some photos of the result. And thank you again for the sugestions.

Have a nice 2023

Joao

Sirius Glass · Dec 30, 2022

BlueWind said:
Hello

After some hours of struggling and despite my old eyes I managed to improve the visibility of the numbers in the distance scale ring. I used acrylic paint from a thick white acrylic marker and wood toothpicks sharpened according to the numbers being painted (or paint needing to be removed).

A well done job? Certainly not, the numbers look awful. But now I can use the camera, and that is what matters to me. I will try the camera next year

I attach some photos of the result. And thank you again for the sugestions.

Have a nice 2023

Joao

You did better than I did. Another pass with the paint and it will look much better.

gone · Dec 30, 2022

Now put some clear nail polish on the numbers or they will do their vanishing act again.

Voigtlander Vito II - vanishing scale numbers

BlueWind

Sirius Glass

Dan Daniel

Sirius Glass

Kodachromeguy

Dan Daniel

BlueWind

Dan Daniel

Nitroplait

BlueWind

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Sirius Glass

gone

Voigtlander Vito II - vanishing scale numbers

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