I got a Voigtlaender Brillant

[Proteus617]

Here are the results of my test roll. Camera seemed to work fine, but after developing it appeard that all pictures are blured.

If you are sure it's not camera shake or other operator error check out the focus at the film plane. If memory serves, the helical for the focusing unit has a few different entrances. The "stops" for minimum and maximum focus distance unscrew (careful with the little metal collars) allowing you to remove the front cell. Getting the unit into the correct position is quick trial and error. My early Bessa ( same lens and shutter in a 6x9 folder):

 

[Finder]

The first camera purchased by Gordon Parks was a Voigtlander Brillant. He bought it in a pawn shop in Seattle for $7.50 while he was working as a Pullman conductor. This was before his brilliant career as a photographer, writer, and composer.

 

[bolas]

If you are sure it's not camera shake or other operator error check out the focus at the film plane. If memory serves, the helical for the focusing unit has a few different entrances. The "stops" for minimum and maximum focus distance unscrew (careful with the little metal collars) allowing you to remove the front cell. Getting the unit into the correct position is quick trial and error (...)

There should be no problem with shaking - i used mostly 1/100 s - the fastest my Brillant got. All 12 frames are blurred in the same way, depspite the different shutter speed used. On all pictures there is no sharpness at all, so it is probably not a problem with focusing (cause if it would be, some parts of the picture shoud stay in focus i think)...

I think that this lens could be mounted in not proper way. I think the lens was not screwed to the end. Pressing the shutter lever could turn the entire lens around 1/4 turn on the screw. Maybe that is the reason ? It was really easy (with finger) to unscrew the nut and take out the whole Voigtar from the body. I also unscrew the back part of the lens. It looks quite clean,maybe some small dust inside but generaly all three lens looks nice. Any ideas ? Maybe someone could post a picture of this lens from his camera ? I dont really have an idea how it shoul look in proper way.

 

[Proteus617]

I think that this lens could be mounted in not proper way. I think the lens was not screwed to the end.

Bolas- I think you are right. Check out your 3rd and 4th photos. The plate below the lens with the distance markings (landscape/group/portrait)? It has two small tabs on either side. Those tabs should act as stops for the little red arrow indicator tab hanging from below the focusing group. You shouldn't be able unscrew the front group without first removing that plate by first removing the two screw at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Try removing the plate, screwing the front group back in. The group should just about bottom out on the threads. Check the focus with some scotch tape on the film plane. When you have it right, screw the plate back on with the arrow trapped between those two little tabs.

 

[bolas]

Thanks a lot. Tommorow i will try to set this scale with little help of ...parchment 🙂 I just been adviced and checked the lens with this idea and it seems that Voigtar is quite OK. Only problem is to adjust the focusing scale (f.e 1 m to 1m).

 

[Keith]

Wow ... nice to see this thread popping up again ... I wonder how Raid's going with his Brilliant?

Good luck with your focusing issues bolas ... it's worth sorting because they are a fantastic little camera with oodles of personality.

Here's a still life I did a little while ago ... I did engage the help of a tape measure for the focusing I might add. Nothing wrong with the lenses on these things provided you get everything right!

 

[Allan Reade]

Keith,

Great photo.

Allan

 

[Keith]

Keith,

Great photo.

Allan

Thanks Alan!

This is probably my favourite pic I've taken with the quirky Voigtlander ... missed the focus a bit. (faulty tape measure obviously 😀)

It's been my desktop for ages now!

 

[bolas]

Wow, amazing pictures !
... all tape-measured ? 🙂

 

[bolas]

I finaly repaired this Brillant and here are few samples from my test roll (Fuji Velvia). It seems that this small inconspicuous camera still offers much to user 🙂

 

[Keith]

Great results bolas ... really nice pics! 🙂

 

[alistair.o]

+1.

Lovely work Bolas. The last picture is great - it has a nice warm atmosphere.

Thanks for posting

 

[Allan Reade]

Great images bolas, and surprisingly contrasty and sharp. I'm trying to decide whether to keep mine. It's so small and carriable compared to my Mamiya C3, but the results don't seem to justify it's use ,even allowing for my own limitations 🙂

Please post some more.

 

[bolas]

Great images bolas, and surprisingly contrasty and sharp. I'm trying to decide whether to keep mine. It's so small and carriable compared to my Mamiya C3, but the results don't seem to justify it's use ,even allowing for my own limitations 🙂

Please post some more.

I will definitely keep mine. I was curious how will this Brillant perform as a Voigtlander's answer for Rolleiflex/Rolleicord. I was rather expecting photos to look like from simple box camera and they appeared to be quite sharp and nice. Main problem for me is measuring the distance ... 1,2 ... 4 ... 8 meters ... it is difficult to catch this with an eye. Of course the easiest part is to shoot Brillant set on infinity (as on my photos). Another advantage is that this camera have "T" time. It is fantastic ... no need to worry about hose ... on this night photo i was trying to catch star trails but unfortunately there was too many clouds. Exposure were taken for around an hour at night and f.11. Just few trails were chatched (just above the tree on the left). Another great advantage is the size ... people used to say that early Rolleiflex and Rolleicords are small and light ... in compare to Brillant they are super size and heavy 😉 Brillant is almost like a pocket camera. Another importat thing for me is that for unexperieced eye it looks really silly and cheap. No reason to get stress if you're taking pictures in some not so safe places. If probably won't be a reason to get robbed 😉

 

[bolas]

Sorry for little delay, here two more pics from this test roll, seems that old Brillant beats down a plenty of modern digital cameras without any problem 🙂 :

 

[Allan Reade]

Bolas

The photo of the church (cathedral?) is really great. The Brilliant's in good hands 🙂

Allan