Voigtländer Vito B

5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

By Cem Eren

I got my first camera at the age of 6. It was a properly functioning toy camera, (hearsay your honor), love at first sight, and though I did not master photography, I did properly mangle it.

Since then, I have had many cameras, and this post is about the last one which I purchased in 2021. It was locally listed ‘as is’ with a bargain price. There was a risk that it was not functioning and worse, it was malfunctioning.

When I received that Voigtländer Vito B, it was cocked but was not releasing. The shutter was not responding. What a pity! Soon later, I noticed the small lever on the left side of the lens. V-green, X-red and M-yellow. V was selected. I switched it to M. It clicked. Basically, it was on timer but the mechanical clock inside was probably jammed. I was not bothered with that. It was almost in pristine condition. The set also includes a hood and an orange filter. What more could you ask!

I checked the shutter and it looked like it was functioning. Without further equipment the best way to see if it was functioning properly, to see if it is light tight enough, and if the shutter speeds aperture settings are correct, was to take it out for a shoot. I loaded it with Fuji color C200 and went into town.

The camera does not have any onboard tools to measure the light or focus. You may apply sunny sixteen rule or use a meter or your smart phone. If you can find a dedicated cold shoe mount light meter, why not, it could be slick. For focusing, either you need to guess the distance or if the light conditions are suitable use zone focusing by stopping down. There are indicators on the focus scale. The triangle means you may have zone focus between 2.5 and 5.2 meters (8 to 17 feet) and circle means 5.2 meters to the infinity. So, if you can plan your shooting zone you may have a sharp photographs easily as this camera has a good lens.

The photographs were taken in a black sea town called Şile, located about 70 km northeast of Istanbul. I walked around the peripheral of the fisherman’s port. There is an old castle renovated believed to be built by either Genoese or Easter Roman Empire almost 1000 years ago. It is a calm town relative to the other towns of Istanbul due to its geographical position and distance to the city center. Nonetheless during the summer season, the town is crowded. The fishing season starts in September and ends in mid-April.

High performance is not to be taken for granted at this age, human or machine. After I had the roll developed, I was happy. There was no light leak. The exposures were what I inputted. Perfect, we were ready for new adventures.

Big fishing boat Small bridge, the castle is behind Small boat with a plastic chair on it A docked small fishing boat View of the fishing boats

Thank you for reading.

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About The Author

By Cem Eren
I am a photography enthusiast since early 1980s. I had setup my dark room in early 2000s, a bit late but the circumstances. I no longer develop my rolls, but still print my own, using a Meopta enlarger and Ilford solutions. I do take digital photos. I am a software architect.
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Comments

Bill Watts on 5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

I, too, started my photography obsession at an early age, my first camera being a VP Twin camera with bloomed Bolco lens, purchased in Woolworths for 7/6d (35p). I, too, mangled my first couple of rolls, not realising the shutter fired every time the shutter lever was pressed, it was bi directional - left to right operated the shutter then right to left operated it again, I kept returning the lever to the original position so I had a lot of double exposures initially! I soon cottoned on to that and a progression of cameras came my way as my Dad was also interested in photography. but those first few rolls will always be special, double exposures and all!
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Your comment took me a journey from E. Elliott Limited to a camera sold in 3 pieces to My Fair Lady. Cheers.

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James Langmesser on 5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Very nice pictures, and you clearly had effectively used the zone focus recommendations to good effect. I have had periods over the last decades of the film era when I became very interested on one camera company. Voigtlander was one of them. I have many of their scale and rangefinder models, as well as their twin lens reflex offerings. It is a pleasure to see someone as yourself using and enjoying them. I always really liked the Vito B.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Thank you. As I continue to use it, I am growing fond of it. It is solid, reliable yet compact.

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Gary Smith on 5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Your Vito B seems to work well in your capable hands! Nice shots! My Vito CLR is sitting on the shelf overlooking me as I type this. It is of the type that I learned on 50+ years ago (although not the same one as that one was borrowed from my father's boss).
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

Thank you. They are usually nice looking cameras so give it a chance :).

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Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 02/11/2024

It works well as does the internal light meter.

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Bradley Newman on 5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

Comment posted: 03/11/2024

I've written here about my dad's Vitomatic.I think it's great to keep these old cameras going. They help me connect to the past, and produce wonderful results today.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 03/11/2024

I have located and read your post, very nice story and photos. We, the enthusiast, follow more or less the similar path. I really like the design and production quality of late 50s and early 60s, not only cameras but lighters, wristwatches etc. The cameras are different because it is possible to connect with them for the "fruitful relationship".

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Paul Quellin on 5 Frames with a Voigtländer Vito B

Comment posted: 05/11/2024

Great article Cem. I picked up a three Voigtlanders in a local auction house. A Vito CLR that looked immaculate but turned out to be quite a sick machine. There was a Vito B with it, whilst the case looked a little more used and the filter thread was dented, this has turned out to be a terrific little machine. The viewfinders are so bright and clear. The Vito Bs seem to be better built than some of the later ones like the CLR and the Color Skopar is a very capable lens. I think they feel a bit like a brick in the hand, I like that. I have sometimes thought if I drop the Vito B, the floor might come off worse. Keep shooting with your Vito B, they are just great.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 05/11/2024

Thank you. When I carry it, I feel the same, a little self-defence tool capable of taking photographs too :).

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