Just got a Voigtlander Vitomatic II!!

[Keyne]

Real excited! Over the holidays my father let me borrow (indefinately) his Voigtlander Vitomatic II that he bought new way back when (1950's I think). It is in mint condition, includes the case, and has a nice Voigtlander 50mm 2.8 Skopar lens.

I really wanted to try RF style street photography so I am very excited to get my first B&W roll of film and get out there (its raining hard at the moment so maybe this weekend).

By the way, any thoughts on the camera, especially do's and don'ts would be great appreciated. I have been shooting with a Micro Four Thirds Pany G1 with the 20mm pancake and Auto Focus, so this should be an interesting experience...

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[ZeissFan]

Could you post a photo of it? Voigtlander named several models "Vitomatics," and it can be difficult to tell which one you have.

I have a Vitomatic IIb -- a nice little rangefinder camera with a coupled selenium meter.

It has the same lens as your camera, and I would expect it to perform like most coated Skopars -- excellent resolution.

The Vitomatic will be a world away from digital. It will take more time to shoot each photo.

As for film, I often use Kodak 200 Gold color print film for quick turnaround. You don't indicate your country, so I would suggest 200 color print film as an initial test and perhaps 400 speed for black and white, because you should try shooting black and white and color to see which you like best.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Real excited! Over the holidays my father let me borrow (indefinately) his Voigtlander Vitomatic II that he bought bew way back when. It has a nice Voigtlander 50mm 2.8 Skopar lens.

I really wanted to try RF style street photography so I am very excited to get my first B&W roll of film and get out there (its raining hard at the moment). By the way, any thoughts on the camera, especially do's and don'ts would be great appreciated. I have been shooting with a Micro Four Thirds Pany G1 with the 20mm pancake and Auto Focus, so this should be an interesting experience...

Cheers,

Kevin

Well done Kevin! - I'm a Vito B and BL man, and not had a 'matic, but all the Voigtlanders of that era are super little cameras! - enjoy! - and post some results.
Dave.

 

[Becoming]

Yeah definitely post some results when you can. Good luck!

 

[radiocemetery]

My Vitomatic II is one of my favorites. Here is a link to a previous thread with some results from mine.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52186

I agree with Zeissfan above about color film. I haven't shot any black and white yet with this camera.

Steve

 

[Vitor]

I like that camera allot, I have two a II and IIa, the Skopar is a very sharp lens, I have used both color and B&W film with good results.

Some taken with Kodak T-Max 100 http://www.vitorfonseca.com/Portfolio/Themes/Rescue I/index.html

 

[konicaman]

Nice camera, and the Skopar lens is really sharp if you stop in down - f4 or 5.6 is enough to give you really nice photos.

Do not give it a CLA unless it is completely stuck! You can place it in the drawer for 10 years, and normally it will still be running smoothly when back in service.

Keep it in the never ready case (or some dark place) when not in use; it will save the meter which tends to get worn out if constantly exposed to daylight.

Looking forward to seeing some shots 🙂

 

[ErnestoJL]

I have three Vitomatics, one IIa (without VF, then no RF but meter works), a IIb, and a IICs.
I must say that those are among the best built cameras ever made as they are solid and reliable, not to say long lasting if adequate care is given to them. The younger one is from 1967 (IICs), being the other two a bit older. Some ex Voigtländer servicemen in BA told me that they were the finest cameras ever made by Voigtländer, even better than their Zeiss counterparts (Contessa).
Lens is a coated Tessar clone, and is very sharp even being front cell focusing in the IIB and IICs.
Enjoy the new baby!

Ernesto

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have a Kodak Retina Automatic which is really a a Vitomatic and I do love it the light meter is very accurate out doors and the lens is first rate! Enjoy it and good luck.

 

[batterytypehah!]

I was given a Vitomatic II a few years ago, too, and it's one of my favorites. Have fun. On mine I have to watch not to knock the ASA setting inadvertently, the lock is a little weak. No other issues.

Too bad the shutter tops out at 1/300. That's its only real weakness, IMO.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have a Vitomatic 1, which is a scale-focusing version. Along with fine resolution, the Color Skopar lens also has great contrast characteristics. I took a lot of photographs with the Vitomatic and Kodak Gold 100, and the rendition of the color was brilliant. Those glass block viewfinders make for a weighty camera (for its size), but the framing brightlines are very clear, and the big finder is good for those who wear glasses.

 

[howpow]

Hi folks, this thread inspired me. I have a Vitomatic II which is perfect except for an almost non existant rangefinder spot. I then looked for other threads and found one that claimed that the only problem is that they get dirty and explained how to clean it. I thought it was worth a try, took the top off (3 screws - one under the film advance) removed the light meter (2 screws - one hidden down the front) and using a crushed cotton bud and some thin pieces of card with windex tackled the problem. It was hard to ascertain how well it had worked but when I re-assembled the camera it was perfect. 🙂
It is now really bright. I was amazed.
If you want to try this enter Vitomatic in the search above and look at the threads.

Best wishes.

 

[Proteus617]

Last year I spent several months with a Bessamatic (beautiful and totally unreliable leaf shutter SLR from the same era). I loved the 50mm color skopar, especially in b+w. I should look for a Vitomatic. Same glass in a smaller and more reliable RF package.

Bessamatic, color Skopar, Tri-x:

 

[ErnestoJL]

Last year I spent several months with a Bessamatic (beautiful and totally unreliable leaf shutter SLR from the same era). I loved the 50mm color skopar, especially in b+w. I should look for a Vitomatic. Same glass in a smaller and more reliable RF package.



I had several Bessamatics for repair and found that their main problem is the lack of care or adequate maintenance. Its an extremely complicated camera (talking about mechanics) but parts and assembly quality are so good so as to assure proper operation for a long time. Once dry grease was removed and parts cleaned, the cameras started working as new. The Vitomatics share same properties but because of being less complicated (in fact they are far more complex than their japanese counterparts) show themselves as more reliable. Try a Vitomatic, any model, but hopefully you can also find a Bessamatic in good shape. Both cameras are excellent and worth a try.
Good luck!

Ernesto

 

[Proteus617]

... Its an extremely complicated camera (talking about mechanics) but parts and assembly quality are so good so as to assure proper operation for a long time. Once dry grease was removed and parts cleaned, the cameras started working as new...
Ernesto

My Bessamatic Deluxe came with a gummed up cocking rack and main drive. I fixed that. Several months later it developed a horrible crunching sound when I wound on and refused to advance film. I think it's eating teeth somewhere, but I don't want to crack it open until I have a parts camera in hand. Maybe I should? Just to stay back on topic: I still should get a Vitomatic!

 

[ErnestoJL]

One way or another, get a Vitomatic. The most sought for is the IIICS which carries a Ultron f2/50 and a CdS meter, but probably it´ll be easier (and cheaper) to find a IIb or a IIcs (selenium and CdS meter respectively). Both lenses are excellent having the Ultron the benefit of an extra stop over the Color Skopar.
Re. Bessamatic, if there is an "eating teeth sound"...mmmm ... I would recommend at least getting a parts camera. If you feel confident with yourself, open the camera as nothing else would be lost if its beyond repair. If you buy a parts camera (try to find one in really good shape) look for one with the Septon lens. Good luck!

Ernesto

 

[howpow]

Hello again all. Although this post insiped me (see post above) I just realised that the threads I found re the repair info were not here but on the "Classic Camera Repair Forum" a seperate site. Apologies for any of you searching here without sucess. 😱

 

[estudleon]

One way or another, get a Vitomatic. The most sought for is the IIICS which carries a Ultron f2/50 and a CdS meter, but probably it´ll be easier (and cheaper) to find a IIb or a IIcs (selenium and CdS meter respectively). Both lenses are excellent having the Ultron the benefit of an extra stop over the Color Skopar.
Re. Bessamatic, if there is an "eating teeth sound"...mmmm ... I would recommend at least getting a parts camera. If you feel confident with yourself, open the camera as nothing else would be lost if its beyond repair. If you buy a parts camera (try to find one in really good shape) look for one with the Septon lens. Good luck!

Ernesto

Hey Ernesto, I'm Rino from Buenos Aires too.
I can get a vitomatic IIIb (selenium and ultron 2/50) I was a voigtlander SRL collector a long time ago, but not RF especialist.
And I'm in doubt about to buy or not the camera.

Any help will be apreciate.
Thanks in advance. Rino.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Rino:
Hi from BA!
The main difference is that you have to adjust yourself to see something very similar to what´s going to be in the neg. Then your perception of things should be improved as it is not allways "what you see is what you get" but very close.
If you can get the camera at a decent price (not the prices of some Vitorets in MercadoLibre) get it. It is not a rare camera but there are not too many in Argentina. BTW it is the most sought for and people seem to worship it. The Ultron is a nice lens because the extra stop it brings but I had no experience with it yet. In fact if you can tolerate the loss of a stop, the Color Skopar is able to fulfill the most stringent needs for sharpness and contrast. Actually I have four Vitomatics (do them generate addiction?), a IIa which is under repair to get at least a VF and the full speeds from the shutter, a couple of IIb and the CS.
Mandame un mail a ernestolepiscopo@yahoo.com.ar y la seguimos. Saludos

Ernesto

 

[paulfish4570]

i just googled up your camera. what a snappy piece of industrial art ...