Voigtlander Vitomatic I Camera - Opinons?

[Kino]

Hi all,

Have a chance to pick up a Voigtlander Vitomatic I Camera in good condition for cheap.

Anyone have any hands-on experience and would share an opinion on this camera's durability and quality?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[keenmaster486]

Do you even have to ask?

If you can get an old camera for cheap, DO IT.

Of course, it does depend on exactly how cheap it is.

But I regret that I have nothing substantive or useful to add to this conversation... sorry.

 

[Sirius Glass]

My first serious camera was a Voigtlander Vitomatic II.

 

[macrorie]

I have a Vitomatic I, and have owned it for at least 15 years. The shutter has done very well staying in time with relatively sporadic use. The Tessar formula lens is exceedingly sharp and has superb contrast. I used to shoot it with Kodak Gold 100 and the prints had brilliant color. You have to like the brightline finder, especially if you are a glasses wearer. The camera definitely has some mass, it is a well-made chunk of brass and glass.

 

[Kino]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I just have far too many vintage shelf-queens and am happy to know it's a sturdy camera. Will see if it is still available!

 

[flavio81]

Hi all,

Have a chance to pick up a Voigtlander Vitomatic I Camera in good condition for cheap.

Anyone have any hands-on experience and would share an opinion on this camera's durability and quality?

Thanks,
Frank

I had one. Build quality is on par with the best Leica rangefinders (really). Optical quality great with the skopars either f3.5 or f2.8. It is not a rangefinder but a scale focus camera. Easy to use. Nice big viewfinder.Durability must be eternal.

Grab it!

Only downside is that it is really heavy (considering its small size).

 

[EdColorado]

I have a few old Voigtlander scale focusing cameras, including a Vitomatic I. Every one is very high quality and a joy to use. Unfortunately my Vitomatic I's light meter doesn't work but the camera still feels great to use. I'm currently working through my first roll in that one.

 

[Kino]

Turns out it is a Vitomatic IIa, not a I. Quite a nice chunk of steel and glass. Hope to shoot something soon!

 

[VisualDarkness]

I also got a IIa and it trulybis a nicely finished and made piece of machine!