Voigtländer Vitomatic IIa - faded Viewfinder

[soeren_91]

Hi!
This is my first post here 🙂 Sorry, my english is probably not very well.
I have an offer about a Voigtländer Vitomatic IIa with an Ultron 2.0 Lens. Since i have sold my Barnack Leica I am looking for a cheaper but suitable Rangefinder. I already have a Vito B with Color-Skopar and I love it! I`ve heard the Ultron is also a very good lens - better than the Skopar.
The Vitomatics with Ultrons are a relatively expensive. This one is cheap and in a good condition but there is a problem: The viewfinder (only the reflection) is faded. Is there a possibility to repair the rangefinder by myself? Or is it to difficult for a layman?

Greetings!

 

[joe bosak]

Hi there

Reminds me I need to clean my rangefinder mirror or whatever on a Vitomatic IIb as the viewfinder patch is very dim, only visible in bright light.

There is a thread here about the Vitomatic IIIb, including some words on cleaning the rangefinder optics. It may help you although for slightly different model.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113150&highlight=vitomatic

 

[soeren_91]

Joe: Thank you! This thread is helpful for me.
Another issue: Is it possible to replace an old selenium-cell with a silicon-cell (maybe from an old calculator)under the use of resistors to get equal voltage and currents?

Greetings!

 

[johnf04]

Check these pages - 2 different cameras with silicon cell replacements.

https://tomtiger.home.xs4all.nl/zenrep/meter.html

http://www.thermojetstove.com/Autoeye/meter.htm

 

[johnnyrod]

I found the rangefinder of a Vitomatic II to be a bit of a puzzle. check the windows are clean though, as what seems to be a little dirt has a big effect on the clarity of the RF spot. In terms of the meter, on the II once you have the top cover off, it can be removed as a separate unit quite easily, so if yours looks like it could be the same, you may be able to swap it out for one from one of the more pedestrian models.
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/ilya_bur/3749183401/