Considering a Voigtlander Prominent

[thegman]

Right now, I don't have any range finders, I'd like to rectify that. I don't want to spend too much, I save the big bucks for bigger formats than 35mm, and 35mm is what I'm after.

So I was thinking of a Prominent, I like leaf shutters, and it seems different and interesting.

As I understand it, the finder is 50mm, which is fine. Before I splurge, is there anything I should be aware of? I know the ergonomics are odd, but all I really want is...

Coupled RF, 50mm lens and finder, takes normal 35mm without re-spooling or anything like that. Is a Prominent a decent choice for a basic carry-around RF?

 

[Luddite Frank]

The build quality is among the world's finest, the lenses are also among the world's finest for their era ( and are still darned-fine! ), they are reasonably reliable, and have a combined VF/RF in one eye-piece.

The shutter is synced for flash using the standard 3mm "PC" co-axial flash socket, with sync at "M" for bulbs and "X" for electronic.

The entire back opens, for easy film loading.


The minuses (my opinion):

- bizarre operating ergonomics: what "should" be a rewind knob is actually the focusing adjustment; built-in VF/RF is a little-bit "squinty" and has no parallax correction; shutter mechanism is somewhat complex, with a second "inner" shutter, and can get gummy, like many older leaf-shutters.

- proprietary lens system - good glass, but unique mount not shared with any other camera, OR any other Voigtlander. Also takes odd-size filters.

Focal lengths are:

35/3.5 Skoparon, 50/3.5 Color Skopar, 50/2 Ultron, 50/1.5 Nokton, and 100/4.5 Dynaron

That's it for lenses. They are not as common as other vintage RF lenses, and good examples rarely change hands at bargain prices.


They are exquisite machines, but not necessarily the most user-friendly or inexpensive camera system to have for a user.

Here's what the Head Bartender has to say about them:

http://cameraquest.com/voiprom.htm


If you want to try a rangefinder, a later Canon RF, with 39 mm "Leica Screw-mount" Lenses might be a good place to start... HUGE variety of lenses to choose from, good build quality, and not quite as dear as Leica.

Let's what others have to say...

😎

 

[thegman]

Hi Frank,
I've had lots of range finders, Leica M3, M6, MP, ZI, Bessa etc. I pretty much moved away from 35mm, and at the same time, away from RF. I could have got a medium format RF, but ended up on the Rolleiflex route instead, and like it very much.

But now I think I want another all-manual 35mm camera, and RF is my first choice. I could get another Leica or Bessa of course, but I like to be contrary and try out different things.

I really appreciate build quality, so that appeals about a Prominent, I only want one lens (famous last words) so just a Ultron or Nokton is fine.

I'm planning to treat it as a fixed lens camera, really, I've had lens GAS, I don't like it!

I'll still mostly shoot medium format, but I'd like a 35mm again just to sling in the bag, prices for Prominents seem reasonable to me, I'd just like to know what people think of them as cameras for actually using.

As a comparison, I find a Leica M3 perhaps the most usable camera around, but I got a IIIf too, and that, for me, was that bit too much hassle, mostly because of the film loading.

Thanks for the input, nothing you have said has put me off!

Cheers

Garry

 

[VisualDarkness]

Focal lengths are:

35/3.5 Skoparon, 50/3.5 Color Skopar, 50/2 Ultron, 50/1.5 Nokton, and 100/4.5 Dynaron

You forgot about:
(Uncoupled) Super-Dynaron 150/4.5
Reflex Telomar 100/5.5
Reflex Ultragon 24/5.8 (seems to be impossible to find)
Repro Skopar 50/3.5
Color-Skopar 105/3.5 (macro)

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I would love one. Should have bid harder on a local one that needed TLC but looked fairly clean late last year. Still kicking myself over that one. Oh well. They are not the cheapest RF around, but build quality and finish is as good as it gets. Better to grab one now before prices rise more, I suppose.

If you take Roger's advice, and buy an Exakta as well, the good news is that, apparently, after using the Exakta, a Prominent will feel quite normal. I've just bought another Exakta, so, presumably I'm good to go...
Cheers
Brett

 

[Luddite Frank]

Hi Garry,

I wasn't aware that you had had PRE (previous rangefinder experience) 😎

I wrote my comments assuming that this would be your first RF, and wanted to give you a good idea of what you would be letting yourself in for... 😉

If you can find a clean, working example at the right price (less than $300 USD), I'd say go for it. If you don't like it, you could always sell it and get your money back out of it.

I like mine for everything except using it...😱 as for Roger's remarks, I actually found the Exakta easier to use as a shooter ( and that's with a fully manual CZJ 2,8 / 500 mm Tessar !) 😛

I shelved my Exakta around 2007 when I got my first screw-mount Leicas, and a 1934 Leica III became my everyday shooter until I got my first digital in 2011.

I still use the Leica III from time to time...

I guess I need to show my Prominent some love...

😎

 

[bfffer]

They bulit like a tank, anti scratch unlike leica.

1, very small finder
2, very hard to repair (if needed)
3, limited lens choice
4, hard to hyper focus
5, slow to operate
Get the later version, finder and film advance are improved.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . I like mine for everything except using it...😱 as for Roger's remarks, I actually found the Exakta easier to use as a shooter ( and that's with a fully manual CZJ 2,8 / 500 mm Tessar !) . . .

Fair enough. I'd suggest that the Exakta is both easier and weirder.

Cheers,

R.