1:1 Viewfinder blockage? Vitomatic IIa

[paniolo]

Hello People,

at first: I love my clean 35RC and carry it everywhere I go.
I also own a Leica M2 and M3, but just using it very rarely because of its high value and weight.

Since years, I look for a nice RF with fixed lens. (around 40-50mm) but never found a better one than the RC (carry-friendly) and M3 (awesome viewfinder and handling)

Today I found the Vitomatic series and I want to buy one on the bay but Im not sure, if it suits me.

Most important for me is a good viewfinder with no blockage of the lens. The Vitomatic has a very big lens with shutter, so I think the viewfinder will be blocked partly, is that correct?

Please recommend me a reliable camera.

I also considered the Yashica Electro, but I prefer full manual. And the Konica IIIa, but that one is tooooo rare ^^

So the Vitomatic IIa is good I think. Or is there another camera with a great viewfinder magnification and "small" used price?

Regards
Tobi


PS: I know there is the R3A/M.

 

[Muggins]

I assume you are asking whether the lens blocks the viewfinder? I don't have my Vitomatic to hand, but I don't recall it being a problem - the viewfinder is vast, you could shelter from the rain in it it's so big, and you have a suspended bright frame finder in it. A more practical concern would be how important metering in camera is to you, as the meter is a selenium cell and may be dead.

On the plus side, if you ever find yourself without a hammer, the Vitomatic will do just as good a job - it is really quite heavy.

Adrian

 

[paniolo]

Hehe thanks for your quick answer.

No, I dont need a meter. I prefer full manual instead of electric.

And yes, I mean the blockage by the lens inside the viewfinder.

I want to see a clear frameline around my image without a lense intruding the view.

I started shooting with a big old Graflex Crown Graphic and I absolutely miss the wire frame viewfinder. Now I look for a 35mm format camera with an equal viewfinder.

What also would work is a attachable wire frame viewfinder for my 35RC, but I dont know if any of these were made for ~40mm


Tobi

 

[jajong]

Hi Tobi. I do have the Vitomatic at hand. The lens doesn't block the view within the frame lines. You can see the top of the lensbarrel, though, just outside the lower frame line. Watch out for viewfinder separation, which gives the finder a cloudy appearance. Remember to put film in it, otherwise the shutter won't cock : no dry-firing on this one🙂.
The skopar lens is tops (as is the Ultron)

Cheers,
Jan

 

[paniolo]

Cheers Jajong!
That is good news!

What about the circle on the frontside of the viewfinder housing?
When I look through the finder, there are the framelines, the patch and meter needle. Nothing else? Or maybe that circle too?

Most important for me is a clean view inside the framelines.

I think I will buy a clean Vito B without RF for a 1:1 viewfinder and framelines.
And the Vitomatic IIa for RF support.

Is there a difference in weight between the Vito B and IIa?
(I think the RF and Meter will make the camera heavier in weight, also the lenses... 2.8 vs 2.0)

Regards
Tobi

 

[jajong]

Hi Tobi. The circle you see enhances the contrast of the rangefinder spot. It is not obvious in bright light. By the way, I also checked my Vitomatic IIa with the Ultron lens: this bigger lens is visible within the frame, a bit.
The Vitomatic IIa cameras are weighty machines: 734 grams for the Skopar variety and 777 for the Ultron. My Vito B early model (small viewfinder) weighs only 447 grams.
Maybe only a Vito B late model (1:1 finder) and a clip on rangefinder (Watameter or the like) will suit you best.

regards,
Jan

 

[paniolo]

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

I think the B with the 1:1 crystal finder will make it.
I got so many situations where I missed a shot because I have focussed first instead of just shooting.

Well, I will post my feedback about the cameras. Stay tuned 😀

 

[paniolo]

By the way... has the viewfinder any kind of colour tint?

When I compare pictures of the viewfinder, I notice some with a harsh yellow look, some with blue and some neutral ones.

Regards
Tobi

 

[BW400CN]

Just to give you an other idea ;-)

The brick shaped Voigtländer Vito and Voitoret are much underrated! You find them for 10-20,-€ in good working order!


Voigtländer Vito CSR von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

Vito CSR with coupeld CDS light meter (mirrored in the finder!) and coupeld RF! I´ve you find one with a Color Skopar 2,8 50mm (rare!) go for it! Otherwise the Color Lanthar 2,8 50mm isn´t a bad lense either - but just a triplet insted of a 4 lens Tessar design.


Voigtländer-Vito-CSR-Kodak-EliteChrome-100-011_DxO von Michael Relguag auf Flickr


Voigtländer-Vito-CSR-Kodak-EliteChrome-100-012_DxO von Michael Relguag auf Flickr


Voigtländer-Vito-CSR-Kodak-EliteChrome-100-025_DxO von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

Used it as a daily shooter with an expired Kodak EliteChrome 100


Voigtländer-Vito-CSR-Kodak-EliteChrome-100-009_DxO von Michael Relguag auf Flickr


Voigtländer-Vito-CSR-Kodak-EliteChrome-100-004_DxO von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

Taken from the preveous owner who forgot this film inside the cam.

 

[jajong]

Toni, all my Vitomatics have a blueish tint to their viewfinder; it gives more contrast to the yellow spot, I suppose.

Cheers,
Jan

 

[paniolo]

Jea Jajon, I have noticed that with other RFs too.

Im not sure, but I think only the RF models have a blueish tint.
Models like the Vito B and Vitomatic I with no RF seem to have no blue tint.

We will see.
I just have bought a Vitoret LR for 5€ a few hours ago.

Stay tuned 😀

 

[BW400CN]

Jea Jajon, I have noticed that with other RFs too.

Im not sure, but I think only the RF models have a blueish tint.
Models like the Vito B and Vitomatic I with no RF seem to have no blue tint.

We will see.
I just have bought a Vitoret LR for 5€ a few hours ago.

Stay tuned 😀

The RF is coupeld too and the selen meter is mirrored in the finder too. Hopefully your meter is working - mine is spot on compared to my Nikon F90!


Voigtländer Vitoret LR von Michael Relguag auf Flickr

Great little cam ;-)

 

[paniolo]

Hello again,

Ive got a new question about the crystal viewfinder.

I noticed that the framelines are at the glass on the backside of the camera.
I know my voigtlaender 25mm external viewfinder where the framelines are on the backside too, that I can only see a part of the framelines, when I press my eye against the housing.

Is that the same with the Vito/Vitoret.... cameras?

---> I would like to know, if you can see the whole frameline at once, when you press your eye in the viewfinder


Best Regards!
Tobi

 

[paniolo]

Just got the Vitoret LR today and I am impressed.

It has a great viewfinder, very quiet shutter and is easy to focus.
I will have to try it out with film.

Only downside is the !!!in my opinion!!! ugly body. But hey, it has to take photos and not impress other photographers 😀


UPDATE after one day of use.

My Vitoret is working fine. First roll is at frame 28, so I cant say if its light tight, but I think so.
Meter works good and is very easy to use through the viewfinder.
Its easy to focus with the green diamond patch.

I have noticed that the finder is very prone to flare.
I also recommend to avoid a Voigtlaender model with a black viewfinder housing because it vignettes the left part a bit, but just if you dont center your eye correctly.

Its easy to carry, but the strap is a bit short to carry it around shoulder and neck at once.

All in all I am very impressed about that very cheap camera.
The viewfinder is just great, my example has not much contrast but a nice warm tone. The flare is sometimes annoying, but if you know what to capture, it doesnt matter. You can use your thumb to block light reflecting from behind

Whoever wants a Leica M3 but cant afford it, this could be the right camera.

 

[BW400CN]

That´s great to hear and will increase the prices for these little cams! 😀
The thing I love most at them is that they have a leafshutter, which means you can flash at any speed!