raid
Dad Photographer
I just got a Voigtlaender Brillant I [very first model]. The mirror must be changed as the view is dark. Most likely, the silver of the mirror is gone.
Who has used such a camera?
Who has used such a camera?
John Robertson
Well-known
A better bet than the Argus, the mirror out of a Lubitel might fit as it is a copy of the Brilliant.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Cool camera, Raid. Skopar or Voigtar taking lens? Is this the metal one before the baklite ones came out?
William
William
raid
Dad Photographer
This is the very first model. It should be in metal. The max aperture of the Voigtar is 6.3. Shutter speeds are 25 50 100 B T.
I am exited about the idea of using this camera from the 30's.
John: Thanks for the tip. I will ask Eddy Smolov as a favor to take care of this camera for me. He will then look for spare parts or he will make the parts for me.
I double checked; I am wrong! The view is very clear and bright in the Brillant. It is the Argus TLR that has messed up shutter and dark mirror. Maybe it is a waste of $20. The Voigtlaender is a good buy [$40] and there may be no need for any repair at all. The age of the camera is thrilling.
There is no focusing except for zone focusing:
scenic-group-portrait or Landschaft-Gruppe-Portrait.
I am exited about the idea of using this camera from the 30's.
John: Thanks for the tip. I will ask Eddy Smolov as a favor to take care of this camera for me. He will then look for spare parts or he will make the parts for me.
I double checked; I am wrong! The view is very clear and bright in the Brillant. It is the Argus TLR that has messed up shutter and dark mirror. Maybe it is a waste of $20. The Voigtlaender is a good buy [$40] and there may be no need for any repair at all. The age of the camera is thrilling.
There is no focusing except for zone focusing:
scenic-group-portrait or Landschaft-Gruppe-Portrait.
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Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have this exact camera Raid and I really like mine ... the scale focusing is very liberating and the Brilliant is a pleasure to use generally.
raid
Dad Photographer
Hello Keith,
Do you have any sample image taken with your Brillant?
I will start using the camera as soon as possible.
John Robertson
Well-known
Some people will think you are perverse using a camera like the Brilliant, simple, straightforward, reliable and can with a little care produce good pictures.
I was regarded the same way with my Foca cameras, no one in UK uses them. It started out just being different now it is because the results are super and the camera is very intuitive to use. Therefore I get my best results with it.
I was out at 5.00 am today at the harbour in St Andrews (you know the golf place!!) the light was clear and wonderful.
I was aware that I was being observed by another photographer, a young guy with the latest all singing and dancing EOS. He could resist no longer and asked if my camera was autofocus automatic, I said no it was 50 years old!!!!
How do you meter and focus, you have taken about 5 shots in the time I took one?
I said I had the best computer in the world, the one between my ears, he just looked blank and continued to fiddle with the buttons.
Ten minutes later he said he was leaving because his battery had run out!!!
Enjoy the simplicity Raid. Welcome to the world of camera perverts!!
I was regarded the same way with my Foca cameras, no one in UK uses them. It started out just being different now it is because the results are super and the camera is very intuitive to use. Therefore I get my best results with it.
I was out at 5.00 am today at the harbour in St Andrews (you know the golf place!!) the light was clear and wonderful.
I was aware that I was being observed by another photographer, a young guy with the latest all singing and dancing EOS. He could resist no longer and asked if my camera was autofocus automatic, I said no it was 50 years old!!!!
How do you meter and focus, you have taken about 5 shots in the time I took one?
I said I had the best computer in the world, the one between my ears, he just looked blank and continued to fiddle with the buttons.
Ten minutes later he said he was leaving because his battery had run out!!!
Enjoy the simplicity Raid. Welcome to the world of camera perverts!!
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raid
Dad Photographer
Hello John,
Thanks for the heads up. Your incident with the young man is quite realistic. The change of times ...
I have always enjoyed challenging myself to see if I can use something basic, but having a lens that can produce some sort of good images. This camera may be a nice alternative from Leicas and Rolleiflexes.
Thanks for the heads up. Your incident with the young man is quite realistic. The change of times ...
I have always enjoyed challenging myself to see if I can use something basic, but having a lens that can produce some sort of good images. This camera may be a nice alternative from Leicas and Rolleiflexes.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Hi Raid,
I've taken the little Brilliant out in public on a few occasions recently and actually had people come up to me to see what it was ... it's a pretty little thing and when people see you peering into the top of a camera these days I guess they have to ask!
Really though it's a glorified Box Brownie with a mirror and magnifier IMO (no screen) and the lens is very flair prone in strong light. Now and then it produces images that have a near Holga look to them but I love the thing and always enjoy the absolute simplicity of shooting it. Be sure to use the camera's film counter (reset to 1 when starting off at the first frame) and dont advance by the rear red window film info or you'll only get eight images instead of twelve ... did this twice before I caught on!
I've taken the little Brilliant out in public on a few occasions recently and actually had people come up to me to see what it was ... it's a pretty little thing and when people see you peering into the top of a camera these days I guess they have to ask!
Really though it's a glorified Box Brownie with a mirror and magnifier IMO (no screen) and the lens is very flair prone in strong light. Now and then it produces images that have a near Holga look to them but I love the thing and always enjoy the absolute simplicity of shooting it. Be sure to use the camera's film counter (reset to 1 when starting off at the first frame) and dont advance by the rear red window film info or you'll only get eight images instead of twelve ... did this twice before I caught on!
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raid
Dad Photographer
Thanks, Keith.
I don't have a magnifying glass on my Brillant. Is it supposed to have one?
I will try to attach a small lens hood to the Brillant's taking lens.
I don't have a magnifying glass on my Brillant. Is it supposed to have one?
I will try to attach a small lens hood to the Brillant's taking lens.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Attachments
raid
Dad Photographer
This is the same model Brillant as the one that I got.
I put through the camera a trial roll [used] of 120 film to see if all works well.
So far so good.
I put through the camera a trial roll [used] of 120 film to see if all works well.
So far so good.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
When I bought mine a few years back I was pretty naive and didn't realise it was scale focus ... put it in the cupboard and bought a Rolleicord instead! It wasn't until I eventually sarted using it regularly that I realised what a fun little camera it was!
Here's a couple of the rather Holga like results I got before I cleaned the lens internals.
Here's a couple of the rather Holga like results I got before I cleaned the lens internals.
raid
Dad Photographer
I will use it as a different Holga camera as you have done.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The other thing I found about the Brilliant was it's very simple to work on ... I was able to dissmantle the lens and clean it quite easily and I'm certainly no "Sweeney Style' technician. The mirror and viewing lens were also vey easy to clean.
I'd love to see from shots from yours when you have some Raid!
I'm getting all enthused about the camera again now and may take it out for a little jaunt in the next day or so!
I'd love to see from shots from yours when you have some Raid!
I'm getting all enthused about the camera again now and may take it out for a little jaunt in the next day or so!
raid
Dad Photographer
Keith,
I will load up a roll of film in my Brillant and I will see what this little camera can do [and cannot do].
I stay clean of any lens cleaning!
I will load up a roll of film in my Brillant and I will see what this little camera can do [and cannot do].
I stay clean of any lens cleaning!
charjohncarter
Veteran
That is funny, but probably he was going back to his car to read his manual because he got the settings all goofed up.
EDIT: by the way John, you live in a beautiful place. I just wish I could have stayed there longer.
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bolas
Established
Well i'm glad that i found this post Today i was lucky and very early Brillant appeared on my way in antique shops. I bought large format camera and the owner just gave me this Brillant as a gift. It seems to be one of the firsts cause it is metal-made. I've read that they've been in production between 1932-37 (series A to J). Mine is serie G , so it is probably around 1936/37. I'm really excited cause Brillant was Voigtlander's answer for the succes of first Rolleiflex (Franke & Heidecke were former Voigtlanders workers). Today i cleaned up my camera a bit, and it seems that i really have to try it in next few days. I a bit confused with scaling with the "portrait-group-landscape" scale. Is it difficult ? It seems to be specially with portraits and closer shots. How do You guys dealed with this problem if you achived so great results like for example Keith did ?
Today i was lucky and very early Brillant appeared on my way in antique shops. I bought large format camera and the owner just gave me this Brillant as a gift. It seems to be one of the firsts cause it is metal-made. I've read that they've been in production between 1932-37 (series A to J). Mine is serie G , so it is probably around 1936/37. I'm really excited cause Brillant was Voigtlander's answer for the succes of first Rolleiflex (Franke & Heidecke were former Voigtlanders workers). Today i cleaned up my camera a bit, and it seems that i really have to try it in next few days. I a bit confused with scaling with the "portrait-group-landscape" scale. Is it difficult ? It seems to be specially with portraits and closer shots. How do You guys dealed with this problem if you achived so great results like for example Keith did ?
Allan Reade
Established
Hi Raid,
I have a metal Brilliant. Very small and light after My Mamiya C3 (which I nevertheless am very fond of). Everything works on it, but I think the red window on the back may let some light in. You only need it to line up the first frame, I will then put some black tape over it next time.
They take a cable release, and I have an 'Autoknipps' clockwork self timer which fits onto the cable release allowing you to get in the picture.
Hope you enjoy yours.
Allan
I have a metal Brilliant. Very small and light after My Mamiya C3 (which I nevertheless am very fond of). Everything works on it, but I think the red window on the back may let some light in. You only need it to line up the first frame, I will then put some black tape over it next time.
They take a cable release, and I have an 'Autoknipps' clockwork self timer which fits onto the cable release allowing you to get in the picture.
Hope you enjoy yours.
Allan
bolas
Established
Here are the results of my test roll. Camera seemed to work fine, but after developing it appeard that all pictures are blured. It was Rollei Superpan 200 in R09 One Shot 1+50/20C/17' Any ideas ? Before shooting i cleaned the front and back of the lens as best as i could. Lens is Voigtar 1:6,3/75 mm.
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