Voigtlander Vtessa trials and tribulations.

[outdated]

Most of the folders here seem to be roll film models, I use an Ensign 820 myself, but I see there is mention of a Retina. This prompts me to relate my recent purchase of an original model Voigtlander Vitessa with f2 Utron lens. After chewing its way through the first film I ran through when I rewound, I did manage all but the last few frames of the second film which was ripped through the last few frames as I started to rewind. The rest of the film i rescued with the help my changing bag.
The film, Fomapan 100, was largely overexposed - no meter to hand - but showed why the Ultron has such a good reputation for sharpness and I will be trying again probably with Pan F to make more use of the larger apertures.
The cause of the problem seems to be that the rewing button does not disengage the wind sprockets every time, particularly if you wind on until the film comes to an end. Part way is mostly OK so I must keep an eye on the frame counter in future and not be miserly!
The shutter is the other problem, though more a limitation really. 1/500th is definitely not working, I suspect the second spring or a linkage is possibly broken, and B will only work if I set it before winding on and then release the shutter with the plunger depressed. The shutter then opens as the plunger is released and closes normally when pressure is released from the shutter release.
Apart from the odd missed frame everything else seems to be working as it should. Has anyone else one of these cameras? I would be interested to hear of other people's experiences.

 

[R.Gould]

I have just (last Friday) recievied a Vitessa N, mine has the Color skoper lens, and I already love it, no problems with it, all shutter speeds working fine, I have put 2 rolls of Fomapan 200 though it, on both films I wound on untill the film came to an end, presseed the rewind release and film wound back perfectly, and the results are fine, it is certainly a camera I will be making good use of

 

[darinwc]

I cannot speak about the film tearing problem. But a CLA is needed on the shutter. Or if you want to chance another roll, try to use the middle shutter speeds. 1/100 to 1/10th. They are generally more reliable on older cameras. I have a Vitessa myself and I am about halfway through the first roll.

 

[darinwc]

Oh one note. It looks like there is a pin that is engaged when the back cover is replaced. Perhaps this pin is not being engaged properly on yours. I would suggest taking a close look at the action of your camera before running another roll through it.