Any body know anything about Vito Bs?

[Nearsighted]

I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the correct place but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Voightlander Vito B. I was snooping around the bay and saw one listed very cheap. It's a fixed lens (50/3.5) rangefinder I believe. Does it have a meter? It looks pretty compact and it's a nice looking camera. Shutter speeds only go to 1/300th I think. If this isn't a camera you would recomend from this time period what would be a better choice and why? I took a look at Gandy's site and the Vito B wasn't mentioned in his classic camera profiles or else I over-looked it. Thanks, Jim

 

[jlw]

Nope, the Vito B has no meter and also no rangefinder; you focus the lens by estimating the distance to the subject and setting it on a scale. These non-features define the Vito B as a rather spartan "economy model" camera (although nicely made and with a good lens.)

If most of your picture-taking is done under good light and you're good at estimating distances and exposures (or don't mind using a separate exposure meter) then it could be a very pleasant "back-to-basics" camera. Otherwise, you'd probably be more satisfied if you looked for a more full-featured camera.

Here's a website with a little info about the two models of Vito B: Click here.

 

[Andy K]

I use a Voigtlander Vito CLR, makes great photographs, I think there is one in my gallery here on RFF. If you can hold out for a CLR, it has rangefinder focusing a meter and if complete should come with an incident attachment for the meter.

Here is a useful site for vintage camera information.

 

[yossarian]

FWIW, I like the B simply because it's very compact and a nicely made little camera.
It's always worth snagging one of these if the price is right.

Fred