Voigtlander Vito Automatic R - Manual mode?

[CliveC]

I am considering purchasing a Voigtlander Vito Automatic R. However, the camera is, as the name sounds, automatic, based on a selenium meter.

No selenium meter I've come across so far (which aren't many, granted) has been functional.

Can the Voigtlander Vito Automatic R be used completely in manual mode? I have not been able to track down a manual for this camera.

 

[farlymac]

Some info here from an owner. Seems there is a default 1/60 speed if the meter circuit isn't working. It is Aperture Priority.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/casualcameracollector/5064403245/

PF

 

[CliveC]

Some info here from an owner. Seems there is a default 1/60 speed if the meter circuit isn't working. It is Aperture Priority.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/casualcameracollector/5064403245/

PF

Hmm, that would make it rather difficult to use, but not impossible. I already pulled the trigger, but it was a good price so it should be a pretty nice displace piece in any case.

 

[CliveC]

So I have the camera and it's a beauty, but the meter seems to be unresponsive (dot in rangefinder shows red all the time). I've been reading up on it and apparently it shares many similarities with the Voigtlander Vito Automatic I, with the difference being the addition of a coupled rangefinder.

For the Automatic I, the shutter speed is directly linked to ASA/DIN:

ASA 12 = 1/30
ASA 25 = 1/60
ASA 50 = 1/125
ASA 100 = 1/250
ASA 200 = 1/500

The ASA settings on my camera are slightly different, ranging from ASA 25 to ASA 400. I have to run some tests on what the ASA/shutter speed relation is on the Automatic R.

This seems to indicate that the camera is shutter priority (even though you are not intended to set the shutter), with a manual aperture override for flash. If one treats the ASA setting dial as the shutter speed selector and employ the aperture override, it should be technically possible to shoot the camera completely manually.

 

[farlymac]

Sounds like that could work.

PF

 

[CliveC]

Should work, but doesn't.
Looking at it carefully now, when you switch to selecting your own aperture (because it's really intended for flash use), the shutter slows to what seems to me to be 1/30, if not slower.

So the takeaway of all this is that the camera would work for night or indoor flash work or wide open f/2.8 at a shutter speed of your choosing, but not both.

I guess one of these days I'll crack the top open and see if it's merely a loose wire to the selenium meter.

 

[Gumshoe]

I've just got the camera, and not yet used it. But it seems to me that it can be used as a pure manual by simply turning the control ring off A. Then select f stop and shutter speed as arrived at by guesswork, or by using a hand-held meter.

I'm a new member, and possibly treading on toes.

 

[CliveC]

I've just got the camera, and not yet used it. But it seems to me that it can be used as a pure manual by simply turning the control ring off A. Then select f stop and shutter speed as arrived at by guesswork, or by using a hand-held meter.

I'm a new member, and possibly treading on toes.

I'm pretty new as well so I appreciate the input.
The problem I found was the shutter speed once you take it off A. Because it's intended for flash use, I believe the camera takes the shutter speed to 1/30 second, if not slower for anything other than "A" mode.

To me, a camera with a fixed shutter speed of 1/30 is not all that helpful.

It comes down to a choice of either shutter speed (set by ASA) shot wide open at f/2.8 or aperture selection with a 1/30 shutter speed.

One of these days I'll crack it open to see if I can revive the meter. In the meantime, it's a pretty camera on my shelf.

 

[Gumshoe]

It's tricky to judge, but setting the aperture to 2.8, opening the back and using the three speeds while looking through the lens - 125, 60, 30 - it seems to me that those three speeds work as they should.

Clearly, the only time I'll know for sure is when I put a film through, and that won't be for a while.

Just for interest, I also recently got a Vito B after selling mine in 1961, and I was blown away by the quality of the images. I wonder if the Automatic 1 with the Lanthar lens is anywhere near as good.

 

[Gumshoe]

Oops, I've just noticed you're talking about the Automatic R, and here's me rattling on about the Automatic 1 !