Voightlaender Prominent

[raid]

Does anyone here has a Voightlaender Prominent camera? I just picked one up today, and I need all the help I can get to see if the camera functions properly or not. Here, I also need to know who is known to do a good CLA on the camera and is it worth it?

The camera came with a 50mm/1.5 Nokton and a 35mm/3.5 Skoparon with its matching 35mm finder.

Thanks.

Raid

 

[raid]

Come on guys ... someone here has such a camera.
Also, any informationon the optical performance of the 35mm/3.5 Skoparon is needed. The Nokton I already know from the test of 50mm lenses as Fred and Mark each loaned me a Nokton.


Raid

 

[FrankS]

Sorry Raid, can't help. This is a camera I've never had.

 

[arbib]

I owned one in the late 60's A Prominent II I think. with the Nokton 1.5.
I think, the shutter speeds could be set before or after winding the camera. The RF is checked easily for allianment like any RF. but for distance. you need to set a FIXED Distance object that you measure with a tape from the Film plane to the front of the object. Put the object at a distance that is on the lens scale. (8', 6' etc..)
Now with the camera on a tripod, focus on the front part of the fixed object. The lens should be at the same measured distance you got with the tape.

if the focus scale is way off the known distance. then you know it is RF distance is out. And if the RF patch don't merge 100% Vertically or horizontally, then the V/H is out too.

Can't remember much more....So long ago.....

Nice Rf though... I paid $50,00 for mine in a Downtown Maimi, Fl used camera store. Dang, I wish I had keep it. :bang:

 

[raid]

Sorry Raid, can't help. This is a camera I've never had.

Frank: That's OK. I also never had this camera until I got one today.
I very much liked the performance of the Nokton in my test of 50mm lenses.
Its performance is slightly different from that of a Sonnar in that more area is sharp in the center and outward.

Raid

 

[raid]

I owned one in the late 60's A Prominent II I think. with the Nokton 1.5.
I think, the shutter speeds could be set before or after winding the camera. The RF is checked easily for allianment like any RF. but for distance. you need to set a FIXED Distance object that you measure with a tape from the Film plane to the front of the object. Put the object at a distance that is on the lens scale. (8', 6' etc..)
Now with the camera on a tripod, focus on the front part of the fixed object. The lens should be at the same measured distance you got with the tape.

if the focus scale is way off the known distance. then you know it is RF distance is out. And if the RF patch don't merge 100% Vertically or horizontally, then the V/H is out too.

Can't remember much more....So long ago.....

Nice Rf though... I paid $50,00 for mine in a Downtown Maimi, Fl used camera store. Dang, I wish I had keep it. :bang:

Arbib: Thanks for all the tips. I will try to check some out.

Raid

 

[John Robertson]

Remember that like most Voigtlaender cameras of this era, if I remember correctly it doesn't wind and cock the shutter properly unless there is a film in it.

 

[julianphotoart]

I have a 2nd-series Prominent I with 50 f1.5 Nokton. I think mine is 2nd series because the front of the viewfinder window has a pinkish reflective coating. I have no experience with the 35mm lens.

I've had no trouble with the camera other than the difficulty, while wearing glasses, of seeing through the pin-size viewfinder. I do recall that the focus knob was stiff when I got it and it had to be repeatedly "worked" to loosen it up.

It really is built like a tank. Are you noticing any particular problems?

 

[raid]

I have a 2nd-series Prominent I with 50 f1.5 Nokton. I think mine is 2nd series because the front of the viewfinder window has a pinkish reflective coating. I have no experience with the 35mm lens.

I've had no trouble with the camera other than the difficulty, while wearing glasses, of seeing through the pin-size viewfinder. I do recall that the focus knob was stiff when I got it and it had to be repeatedly "worked" to loosen it up.

It really is built like a tank. Are you noticing any particular problems?

Julian: I start out by pushing the tiny recessed lever down followed by turning the film advance knob. The shutter gets cocked, and one curtain opens and closes. When I then push down the shutter release button, nothing happens. When I now use the selt timer, both shutter curtains open and close for all speeds. What happens when you take a photo?

Raid