Zeiss Vito B/Skopar: Opinions

[Trius]

I may have the opportunity to purchase a Vito B w/ 50mm Color Skopar 3.5 kit for about $60USD plus shipping. The kit would include an e/r case (not sure if it's original), original hood, and a yellow filter.

It's March and I wasn't planning on camera-buying madness, and I don't really NEED this camera, but GAS, is GAS, eh?

It is just so pretty! And this one seems to be in really good condition; no dings, nicks, lens in wonderful shape with all operations spot on. Or at least that's what the seller claims.

So, what do you think? Did Vito series ever come as an RF rather than zone focus? And were they ever fit with a Heliar .... and if so, would it be worth looking for one of those?

Truth be told, I may pass on this anyway, but since I have a discount with an eBay seller I'm tempted. Or if someone else wants this, we could work out a deal.

 

[laptoprob]

Both my father an myself learned 'to ride a bike' on this one, as we say in Holland. My dad has always been shooting slides on a Voigtlander Vito until it broke down in New Zealand. Unfortunately he changed it there for some modern automatic.
So only hands up from me for this one. It is not the fastest, easiest or probably best one out there but a very fine camera anyway.

cheers, Tob.

 

[ZeissFan]

There were many variations of the Vito series, beginnin with the folding Vito and continuing to the folding Vito II and IIa and rigid-lens B, CL, CLR and numerous other models.

There are several variations of the Vito B -- none of the B models have a rangefinder. Cameras came either with the f/2.8 or f/3.5 Color-Skopar -- an excellent lens of a Tessar design.

The B had either a short viewfinder or a taller one with a van Albada viewfinder.

The B is a zone focus camera. Its small size makes it easy to carry around. The strap lugs are of the mushroom cap variety, and you'll need to find one of those straps that have slits with a small cutout that were quite popular in the '50s and '60s.

The e/r case is a riveted two-piece that can't be separated (if I recall), so that thing flopping around on the bottom becomes a nuisance.

The primary trouble spots will be the same as most other older cameras: Soiled viewfinders, gummed shutter, dirty lens. The Prontor shutter is prone to the usual issues: sticky slow speeds and non-functioning self-timer.

The Vito B needs film in the camera to tension the shutter. If you want to dry fire, you can turns the sprocket wheel in back -- it requires a moderate degree of force.

These are nice little cameras, and the better you are at guessing distances, the sharper your photos.

The price seems to be about right -- because the filter and lens hood would cost you at least $15 each. The case is an unknown, because you're not sure if it's the original.

 

[Trius]

Thanks to both of you. The filter is an "Actina"(?)", so I'm not sure if it's worth the $15 or not. I'll think on this one. I rather like zone focus cameras sometimes because of the discipline they impose. Plus, being meterless, it frees one from the "slavery" of a meter.

Mike: I thought I read somewhere that there was a Vito BR, i.e. a rangefinder version. Perhaps that (if it truly existed) was not 35mm format?

BTW, Mike, I read your latest ZI blog entry just now and viewed the latest pictures. Thanks for keeping that going; all the little things you are discovering about the camera and the lenses are quite intriguing. I'm sorta lusting over the Sonnar as a result! And the FP4 is really yummy!

 

[ZeissFan]

You're right about BR. The CLR also had a rangefinder. I think it means the "R" variant is the rangefinder model.

The B model was zone focus.

Some of the Vitos also had selenium meters (the CLR). A friend of mine had a zone focus Vito with a selenium meter.

The one thing I've seen with the later cameras is a tendency for the chrome plating to flake off. The Vito B is an earlier camera and doesn't seem to suffer the same fate.

I'd probably buy this. The filter is a nice accessory -- third party doesn't matter, because push-on filters in this size are hard to find.

 

[sircarl]

I actually own a Vito B -- bought it last year on eBay, mainly because it's, well, one of the cutest cameras I've ever seen. Just shot a few rolls through it so far, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how good the results are. While it's true you have to guess the focusing distance, that's part of the fun of the camera. Heck, for 60 bucks, why not grab it?

 

[Trius]

Thanks to all ... I think I'm going to pass on this one due to some other committments. But I think the kit is still available and if anyone else is interested I could see if the price would hold.