Voigtlander Vito BL Lens issues.

[dale 731]

Hi I am a new member and this is my first post.Hello everyone.
Can anyone help with my unfortunate Vito BL, it is clean, meter works etc however the aperture ring does not move and the shutter is stuck open. Any suggestions on removing the lens and taking it apart to repair the problem? It looks as if someone in the past has tried to fix it as the screw heads are scratched.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Giving this a bump.

I'm lucky that none of my Vitos have needed repairs. I have a B and a BR, among others, and I wouldn't know how to get in. Sounds like a little lighter fluid is all it would need but getting in is the issue.

Welcome to RFF.

 

[farlymac]

It's been so long since I did one for a friend of mine, I can't remember exactly how, because for some reason I only photographed the finished job. But looking at mine, there are three tiny set screws in the focusing ring that you loosen first. DON"T take them entirely out, or you may never get them back in, or lose them. That ring lifts off.

I don't remember if the aperture ring is attached to anything, but it comes off next.

At this point you may be able to remove the front element, keeping mind of where it seperates from the helicoid for easier reassembly, usually noting what letter/number is at top-dead-center when it does. Not a fool-proof way to get it back in focus, but it should cut down on the needed adjustments.

You should at this point see what is holding the distance scale on. Loosen that, and it and the shutter speed ring should come off. Then I think you're in the shutter.

I'll give it a look tomorrow to see if any of this needs ammending.

PF

 

[dale 731]

Thanks for the advice so far, if any one has notes or photos of the process it would be very helpful.

 

[farlymac]

Dale, I've got a set up on Flickr now of the teardown on my Vito B. Unlike the one I did earlier, mine is the original design, with the helical focusing instead of front-cell. I believe your BL will be front-cell also. But have a look anyway.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628692588885/

I did take some photos of the other one, but they were only of the disassembled shutter, which was a Prontor-SVS instead of a Pronto. The Prontor-SVS shutter is easier to remove and clean, and the front-cell lens is easier to refocus. I'll have to see if I have a site bookmarked that shows the teardown on a later version B/BL.

In the meantime, check this site for some good tips. Lots of times you can use something from one type of repair on another camera on the one you have, as they may be similar.

http://mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/repairtips.html

PF

 

[dale 731]

Thank you very much, the flickr set is just what i need. Will have great fun pulling the old girl apart and hopefully putting her back together again.

 

[farlymac]

Just wondering how you're coming along on yours, Dale. I've got mine back together, and ready to set the focus tomorrow.

PF

 

[farlymac]

Got the camera done, and all back together. Added 30 more photos, and 4 videos to the set on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628692588885/

It's such a nice little camera

Voigtlander Vito B (Version 1) Front by br1078phot, on Flickr
Post CLA

PF

 

[farlymac]

Got the first roll back (well, what there was of it), and posted the results on Flickr at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628858820459/

PF

 

[dale 731]

Really have had no time to work on the camera because of busy work schedule, but will do it at the weekend finally and post some pictures, hopefully as good as yours. <br>

 

[farlymac]

Thanks, Dale. I put another set up on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628919891329/

PF