Fixed-lens rangefinders with 1:1: Vitomatic and Konica III

[jett]

I'm curious, are these the only two camera/series with 1:1 viewfiinders?

Also, are the vitomatic (w/ ultron's) good cameras? I don't hear too much about the vitomatics but the konicas III's seems to be a more popular (although not as popular as the S2 or S3).

 

[pinkarmy]

just read this earlier posts on the same subject.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112428

 

[batterytypehah!]

I love my Vitomatic II. Mine is the more modest Color-Skopar version. Unfortunately the RF image is pretty much invisible now. I also have a Vito BR which is the same thing without the light meter, but in fact the meter is nice to have, very easy to use and still accurate on mine. Useless in low light like all selenium meters, of course.

I think these are great if you can live with the 1/300 top speed of the shutter. Extremely well made and surprisingly heavy as a result, though. Make sure to buy it with the case, as the strap lugs are of a weird "mushroom" shape that supposedly mates with a kind of buttonhole in a leather strap. I don't trust that design.

Remember the shutter needs film to work -- sometimes you see them listed as "broken" because of this.

If you find a fixed 50 lens too limiting, you can always take a Minox 35, Oly XA or modern P&S along in a pocket.

 

[batterytypehah!]

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/VoigtlanderVitomatic.html

If you look closely you'll find out where my screen name comes from

 

[pinkarmy]

i can tell you the viewfinder of my Konica IIIM is just like heaven.

and regarding the Vitomatics,
have yet to be confirmed...til my two vitomatic IIIB (w/ ultron's) arrive next week.

 

[Ezzie]

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/VoigtlanderVitomatic.html

If you look closely you'll find out where my screen name comes from

Laughing in the face of those that seem to think a camera needs a battery. Now that is cute! 😀

 

[pinkarmy]

i think this video clearly shown just how great the 1:1 viewfiinder of Vitomatic (a IIIcs w/Ultron that is ) is. (starting 0:35).