help with voigtlander vito b

[photodrew]

i bought a vito b few months back off ebay as i just wanted a classic RF to do some shots for B&W film as part of my uni work!

however i feel as though there is something wrong with it...i havent tried it with a film yet but this is the problem:

the spool winds the cannister inside to move the film onto the next shot, however the counter does not tick over to the next image number. secondly the trigger to fire the shot does not push down to the bottom! gets stuck and wont seem to open the shutter, now does this mean it is not working or does it mean it needs a film before it will fire correctly? if you need images or a video to explain further then i could do but any guys with help would be able to help me out would be awesome!

Cheers
Andy

 

[Mark Wood]

i bought a vito b few months back off ebay as i just wanted a classic RF to do some shots for B&W film as part of my uni work!

however i feel as though there is something wrong with it...i havent tried it with a film yet but this is the problem:

the spool winds the cannister inside to move the film onto the next shot, however the counter does not tick over to the next image number. secondly the trigger to fire the shot does not push down to the bottom! gets stuck and wont seem to open the shutter, now does this mean it is not working or does it mean it needs a film before it will fire correctly? if you need images or a video to explain further then i could do but any guys with help would be able to help me out would be awesome!

Cheers
Andy

Yes, it needs a film to activate the shutter cocking mechanism and the counter. You can mimic the effect of having a film in by turning the sprocket drove gear above the film gate inside the back of the camera. Run your thumb across, turning the gear from left to right (and scraping the skin off your thumb!) and it should all work.

They're lovely little cameras - has anyone ever seen one that doesn't look like it's still brand new?!?

 

[Muggins]

I'll second Mark's advice - it's a common feature/PITA on German 35mm cameras from the 1930s onwards (no doubt some smartypants will pipe up about Leica and Contax now that I've said that 😛).

I've never used a Vito B, but I've held one and I reckon it was machined down from a Tiger tank!

Adrian

 

[Mark Wood]

I should have added that the sprocket gear wheel will turn quite easily at first and then you'll meet quite a lot of resistance as the shutter starts to cock, so two thumbs are necessary! When you've turned the gear as far as you can with one thumb hold the gear where it is and then bring in the other and keep turning until you reach the end stop. There's quite a bit of resistance at this point, so the original thumb might need to be brought back in for assistance! At this stage, I tend to advance the wheel a sprocket tooth at a time with two thumb nails. That all sounds a bit odd to say the least but (hopefully!) you'll see what I mean when you try it.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here but I think the counter on the Vito B counts down rather than up, just in case there's any confusion there.

 

[batterytypehah!]

I'll second Mark's advice - it's a common feature/PITA on German 35mm cameras from the 1930s onwards (no doubt some smartypants will pipe up about Leica and Contax now that I've said that 😛).

It's a feature. Serves to prevent double exposures as well as "shooting" a whole roll only to find out that it keeps advancing after 24/36 exposures because the film never engaged in the first place. As has happened to many a Leica, Contax, etc. user.

It's only a PITA if you're not aware of it.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here but I think the counter on the Vito B counts down rather than up, just in case there's any confusion there.

Yes, it does, but unlike the truly PITA counter on Retinas, it won't lock up the camera when it reaches zero.

 

[Muggins]

It's only a PITA if you're not aware of it.

Or if you are trying to ascertain that your junk shop find actually works, or is locked solid. Of course, this was never envisaged by the designers... for blindingly obvious reasons!

Adrian

 

[RichL]

I've use, great little toss it in the bag come along camera. Butkus has a manual for it, look towards the bottom of the page this link takes you to. http://www.butkus.org/chinon/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_pdf_manuals.htm P.S. The B is zone focus, the BR is the rangefinder model.

 

[farlymac]

I picked one up at a flea market for $15.00, but then spent way more than that to get accessories for it. Beautiful little cameras, but unless you use an auxillary rangefinder, you'll have to learn how to judge focus distance. I also cleaned the shutter on one for a friend of mine that had not been in operation for 35 years. Easy to work on, easy to use. And there is a guy in South Africa who sells the leather and blue felt lined lenscap on 'The Big Auction Site'.

PF