Voigtländer Vito B

[ChrisLivsey]

Latest addition, at great expense, a VitoB with Color-Skopar f3.5 from 1956.
One camera my father had and loved, looked to pick one up for a while but this popped up as spares or repair for £12-50 including P&P, the fault being "winds on but shutter does not cock." Now any Vito B user will tell you this is the expected behaviour without a film loaded as there is a separate "wheel" which engages with the film that cocks the shutter when winding on.
As expected she works beautifully, the variation in the film reminder dial is a mystery there seem to be several types and not as far as I see related to year of manufacture, perhaps for different markets, this dates to 1956 and is a solid block of engineering.

 

[DownUnder]

One of the best cameras Voigtlander made. Rock-solid, hardly ever needs repair. The Color-Skopar lens is a stellar visual delight.

In the long ago days when one camera and one lens made up an entire kit. With a few accessories. Nothing heavy to carry around. And always good images, even if most photography in the '50s and '60 looked more like postcards than original work.

Yours looks as new (or dare I say it, "minty"!?). Lucky to get one in such a condition.

Now and then in my SE Asia travels I come across someone, usually around my age, with an old Voigtlander. One of the various (many) models they made. Usually with a tripod and a small bag, probably for the camera, lens hood, a few filters. And of course films. Their owners obviously appreciate fine old cameras, and they do a lot of considered, slow work, usually of architecture and historical sites. Truly delightful to have the patience to work so slowly and methodically.

 

[Godfrey]

Lovely camera! I had one for a number of years, used it quite a bit, sold it a decade or two ago for some reason. I have a Vito II at present (currently being CLA'ed) which will be put to use. 🙂

G

 

[ChrisLivsey]

One of the best cameras Voigtlander made. Rock-solid, hardly ever needs repair. The Color-Skopar lens is a stellar visual delight.

Yours looks as new (or dare I say it, "minty"!?). Lucky to get one in such a condition.

The condition was indeed excellent, didn't mention came with a well worn case, I suspect a careful owner, usually I avoid used examples with cases as the leather tends to promote fungal growth, but the lens was clean and scratch free, I was really lucky on all counts, but the cost was no risk 😉
They are so solid yet not much bigger than a Rollei 35 looking forward to the first film out, real soon now.

 

[lamefrog]

My father’s Vito B which I’ve owned since a teenager. My first real camera, i used it extensively . Still works great.

 

[Muggins]

Seriously nice little cameras. I have two Vito IIs and a Vitomatic, a d they all perform very well. Years ago I fixed and sold on a Vito C, I think, with the vast viewfinder, & have oft regretted it since.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Seriously nice little cameras. I have two Vito IIs and a Vitomatic, a d they all perform very well. Years ago I fixed and sold on a Vito C, I think, with the vast viewfinder, & have oft regretted it since.

The large finder Vito B just doesn't look "right" to my eye this is the early model with a 1/200th shutter.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

My father’s Vito B which I’ve owned since a teenager. My first real camera, i used it extensively . Still works great.

I'm looking for a hood, it's going to cost more than the camera 😊

 

[Muggins]

There is a small chance I have a Voigtlander good in my vast piles of carp. Is it a 32mm push fit? I'll see if (a)I'm not imagining it and (b) it's the right size.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

There is a small chance I have a Voigtlander good in my vast piles of carp. Is it a 32mm push fit? I'll see if (a)I'm not imagining it and (b) it's the right size.

Pretty sure I have none but I've been wrong before now 😎 That would be most kind.

 

[Muggins]

No promises, but I am going through my photographic carp at the moment, so if I have one...

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Fishing gear as well 🤔

photographic carp at the moment, so if I have one...

 

[Muggins]

Yes, I have a Voigtlander 310/32 hood complete with leather case. Photo available if you want to see it first. Yours for a choice of price of postage, swap for equally small piece of random photobilia, or promise to do someone else a similar favour. PM me to discuss, please, Chris.

 

[gordonrgw]

I've just recently got into Voigtlander, have a B, Vitomatic iia, and a Vitessa. Lovely cameras, great build quality and impressive heft! (They take mighty good pictures too..!)

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Yes, I have a Voigtlander 310/32 hood complete with leather case. Photo available if you want to see it first. Yours for a choice of price of postage, swap for equally small piece of random photobilia, or promise to do someone else a similar favour. PM me to discuss, please, Chris.

Arrived safely and is wonderful thank you, perfect fitting.
C

 

[titrisol]

I'm looking for a hood, it's going to cost more than the camera 😊

nah, you can get the rubber/collapsible ones for pennies

 

[ChrisLivsey]

nah, you can get the rubber/collapsible ones for pennies

Indeed but I would rather for nostalgia and authenticity reasons have the "proper" hood, I'm not averse to the generic hoods and have a collection of them as I have of filter adapters but sometimes having things "just right" is more satisfying.

 

[titrisol]

you can also check ebay, sometimes you can find complete cameras 😀

 

[Muggins]

Indeed but I would rather for nostalgia and authenticity reasons have the "proper" hood, I'm not averse to the generic hoods and have a collection of them as I have of filter adapters but sometimes having things "just right" is more satisfying.

... and if someone should just happen to have one they never use going spare... I've no idea if it's the exact factory hood for the model but it's the right make, size and period, and I suspect it looks pretty damn good on the front of the Vito. I'd call that a win.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

FP4 Plus test

... and if someone should just happen to have one they never use going spare... I've no idea if it's the exact factory hood for the model but it's the right make, size and period, and I suspect it looks pretty damn good on the front of the Vito. I'd call that a win.

It's the exact factory model, they also did an Aluminium finish one but they seem to loose the inner coating more, and it does indeed look the part.