Voigtlander VF35 F

[Burkey]

I picked up this cool all plastic quasi-point and shoot on eBay a few months ago. (Note: thumbnail below.) Just put the first roll of film through it. I bought it for my 12 year old son. 'Thought it would be nice to start him right. Rangefinder appears to work well. Flash is intermittent at best. I'll post pics from it in a day or so. Anyone know about this camera. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[mr_phillip]

I've never seen one of these before. It looks like a plastic version of my VF135.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallpictures/sets/1489109/with/94254500/

 

[Mazurka]

It's just a pre-Cosina, rebadged Rollei 35 RF: http://web.archive.org/web/20040604103925/rolleiclub.com/rollei/35compact/index.htm

Likewise the VF 135 is a chrome version of the Rollei XF 35.

 

[Burkey]

Thanks for the replies. First pictures back from the plastic VF aren't very conclusive. BTW, both the VF135 and the XF35 are fine looking small "pocket" rangefinders. How are the images from them?

 

[mr_phillip]

I adore my little VF135. It's tiny, light, pocketable yet it has a pin-sharp 40mm lens and a really quiet shutter. It makes for a perfect street camera. The XF35 is exactly the same, but I prefer the chrome of the Voigtländer version - you pays yer money...

Check out example shots at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallpictures/sets/1489109/

 

[Burkey]

Mr. Phillip - very nice photos, thanks for posting the link.

 

[Burkey]

Well the VF135 arrived today. Looks O.K. but will probably need new skin. I ordered a WEIN Cell PX625 replacement battery today. I'll put a roll of film through it tomorrow. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a repair place that might be able to take a look at this camera and give it a check over.

 

[daniel~]

Vf35f, Vf135

Vf35f, Vf135

Hello, VF35F looks cool indeed, I only wish it's got more shutter speeds... Looking at the pic you posted, I find the Voigtar 38/2.8 lens resembles the Rolleinon on my Rolleimat AF. (http://www.silvermoon.idv.tw/pho-rolleimat-e.html)

BTW, I, too think the VF135 looks good! However, I'm more conserved about its performance so far:
http://www.silvermoon.idv.tw/pho-vf135.html

 

[Burkey]

Daniel - thanks for the comment and the links. I've sent the camera off to LeZot Camera repair in Burlington VT for an evaluation. Found a great place also in Burlington, Vermont called www.cameraleather.com and will get it there for a skin replacement if the LeZot people can tweak up the VF 135. I'll post again when the evaluation is back.

 

[Burkey]

My VF 135 is back calibrated with a new battery from LeZot in Burlington VT. It also has new skin, smooth black leather done at Camera Leather also in Burlington. Now a couple of questions:
A. In the viewfinder I see a set of shutter speeds and f-stops but the combinations do not change, they appear locked as sets. The needle moves up and down but I don't understand what it's telling me.
B. In the second picture I attached you'll see a set of f-stops on the bottom of the camera. Aperture priority if not in auto? And the flash symbol on the f-stop ring also baffles me.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 😎
. . . David

 

[mercedes_sl1970]

Burkey (?)

I'd be interested to hear any more you can say on the VF35F, especially about resultant prints. I picked one up 2 weeks ago for $2 (and that's two rather pathetic Australian dollars). I think the AA batteries cost more! It seems to be in good condition, lens clear, flash works, seals and meter seem ok, etc. But basically, all auto. Thought it might be good for my children to have a go with.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Based on your description of the viewfinder exposure indicator
it sounds like this camera uses "program" autoexposure,
wherein both aperture and shutter speed are set automatically.

I suspect that multifunction control on the bottom allows you
to select autoexposure (A), bulb (B, for time exposures), or
manually set the aperture (2.8 - 16) for flash photography.

-Chris-

 

[daniel~]

A.
It's all electronic programmed, so the camera would pick one of the sets. The user has no control over the shutter/f-stops in A mode.
B.
If not in auto, the user has to set the aperture manually. It's for shooting with flash gun attached. In this case the shutter speed is fixed(not sure if it's 1/60sec or else).

ps. Exposure meter remains on in flash mode, so the user'd see the needle move up & down, but it will not affect the exposure.

 

[Burkey]

Thanks, for the replies. I thought it would be a nice addition to my R3A and Leica digital D2 and CLUX. The fully auto is what I sorta' suspected. I'll be shooting a roll of B/W, C41 variety, over the next few days. I'll post the results.
. . . David (as in Burkey)

 

[Burkey]

First Roll Back

First Roll Back

The VF135 overhaul has proven to be a good investment. The first images are extremely sharp and for a fully automatic/manual focus RF its pretty cool. (See attached - very light PS work on the image). I shot a roll of Kodak 400CN Pro with it. 'Not sure if I'm more impressed with the film than with the camera right now. 🙄 I'll be putting a roll of the 400CN thorugh my R3A soon and look forward to the results from that too.

 

[flashover]

I have had one for a while now. Also a second hand store find. Intersting little camera but very difficult to gather info on.

 

[Burkey]

John - thanks for the reply. 'Not much about these around, I agree. My son has the version like yours. His appears to need some work. I just printed an 11"X14" on an Epson 2200 from the scanned image in my post above and it held up extremely well. I'm very pleased with the "135" thus far.

 

[zuikologist]

This reminds me I ought to dig out the Rollei XF - it would make a good holiday camera. Nice photo Burkey - the VF135 has done well.

 

[Burkey]

Thanks, Zuiko... With the XF have you found the automatic selection of slow shutter speeds an issue? I shot a few frames on the same roll as the example I posted and noticed some very evident slow shutter speeds. Hey, try a roll of the Kodak 400CN Pro in the XF. I'm still amazed from the quality I saw after looking at the images from it this morning.

 

[zuikologist]

I think the XF only goes down to 1/30 and do not remember any problems.

I have had similar issues with a Chinon 35EE II (a similar aperture-priority rangefinder, like a mini Yashica GSN). I never discovered what the cause of the problem was - intermittently, the shutter would open for a few seconds even in bright light, and nowhere near the metered shutter speed.