Voigtlander Vito CRL - light seals?

Skyeman

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Jul 7, 2010
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Hello all,

My first post to the forum is a question. I'm restoring a Voigtlander Vito CLR and looking at the film compartment, I can see no trace of light seals having been there.

Either they have been removed very cleanly and not replaced, or they were never there in the first place.

Can anyone help on this?

Thank you in advance.
 
I have my grandfather's Vito BL here, and it has no foam seals in the channels where the film door close. I think it has tighter fitting channels with extra steps which act as a light trap.

Is the CLR the model with the 1:1 coupled rangefinder? A friend of mine has one similar. I have been looking out for one for myself because of the amazing finder. They're very solid and well made cameras.
 
I have a Vito CLR as well, and there are no light seals. I have shot two rolls of film with it so far, and there were no issues that could have come from missing light seals--so that is what it must be then, just "light tight."
 
I think you have a CLR rather than a CRL. And it's a classic German camera (or a German classic camera), so it wouldn't have light seals.

The Japanese used foam to compensate for an inadequate design.

If you design the back properly, there's no need to stuff it full of foam to block light.
 
The Vitos and Vitorets share the same design as the Vitomatics in regard of a light tight film compartment, hence you´ll find no trace of foam or any other material.
Unless the body is broken (made of very hard cast aluminum alloy) or the hinged back door (heavy stamped brass) is distorted, you´ll find no problems with your camera.
Good luck!

Ernesto
 
Thanks to all for your responses. I've run a film through the camera, due to get it back on Monday. Will post again if any evidence of light leaks.

And yes, it is a CLR not CRL. Blame my erratic typing for that one.
 
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