I just saw that the wind button rotates when rewinding so you can see when the film is disengaged before it fully winds into the canister.For those who develop their own film that means no fiddling to get the film leader out. M or X does not matter when shooting without flash. It's just an electrical contact that is closed by the shutter mechanism either a tiny bit in advance (M) or immediately when the shutter opens fully (X). The lever just the position of the contact. Leave it on the setting most of your flashes need.
The build quality on this generation of Voigtlanders is remarkable. Whether the satin chrome finish or the real leather body covering, they tend to still be in top condition today. I always wanted what I consider the supreme version, the Vito III, but its rising prices always seemed to be a bit out of reach for me. Voigtlander lenses always seemed to be a bit better that their similar models from other makers. The Color-Skopar is a 4 element lens modeled on the Zeiss Tessar formula, but but the Skopar always seems to be a bit sharper, more contrast, etc.
I have my grandfather's Vito II (no cold shoe; 50mm f/3.5 color skopar; Prontor-SV) and have just loaded it with Ilford Kentmere Pan 100 ISO, set to 200 ISO. Will take some shots today to test the little guy. Cool-looking rig.
A lovely little camera. I recently picked one up with a gorgeous leather case and accessories pouch containing a lens hood and push on B&W filter (which I think may be a close-up attachment as it seems to be magnified?) Mine doesn't have the cold shoe and the shutter mechanism says Compur Rapid but the lens is identical. I haven't finished my first roll yet but I'm very interested to see the results. I also have the Voigtlander Perkeo I with the same shutter and Color-Skopar f3.5 lens except in 80mm as it's 6x6. It has to be one of the smallest medium format cameras ever made. I have seen the results from that one and they're excellent. Both are beautiful little cameras. Great video as always Brian.
Great camera, great video! I do have a folder from the same period, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa, it has a Zeiss Tessar 2.8 lens, the same Compur shutter, and also a built in lightmeter and a coupled rangefinder, and give excellent results. If anyone wants a pocketable camera with a great lens, I think those cameras are much better options than the plastic point & shoots of the 90's. They are not fast to use, though.
my Vito ii just picked it up.... It is so beautiful... the cold shoe just clips on......I used the flat handle on a tea spoon to un-clip it...a screw driver may damage....like the flat top.... really love it thanks Brian.... Keep safe please Sir......
Beautiful camera,great job on explaining everything Brian. I love your photo show.you have showed me a lot of things on these old traditional cameras. Thank you for your knowledge 👍 and have a great day always. Gary.
Hi, I recently bought one with a Prontor shutter as well. It works great, got some nice pics. However, the shutter speed is stuck between about 80 and 300. Given that it's stuck there, I'd call myself lucky (you don't really need more speeds for amateur photography) however I would like to explore the lower speeds and the 'B' setting. Also, we have the option to take a timed exposures with that red nob. I'm able to put mine up into position but it gets stuck along the away down and doesn't go all the way unless it's given some, let's call it, motivation. Have you had these problems or not and what would you recommend to fix them?
Super helpful video- thanks! I just purchased one of these. Does the shutter fire if there is no film in the camera? Want to make sure it works before putting in film!
Brian don't think it matters if flash synch is on X or M particularly since I believe electronic flash on X setting will synch at all shutter speeds....thanks......
Looks to me having viewed these cameras for sale that the cold shoe is removable.... so would suggest if buying you have one with it on.... could be a devil with a fishnet to get one later.......???
My Vito ii coming soon.. they say the escapment for slow speeds under 1/25th not working.....read somewhere to keep exercising the slow speeds and they may eventually work....??
Great video, just recently picked up a Vito II as my first camera and have had a lot of fun putting two spools through it and learning about photography. In one of your videos you mentioned that you live in Israel and I have some questions, would you mind sending your email so that I can contact you?
Mine came with a contoured leather case with a sling strap, it wraps around the body and screw into the bottom of the camera body, and covers the front of the camera with a little drop flap.
Don't get me wrong I really love this camera but the viewfinder must be the worst ever so my friends there is a very good case if you have a cold shoe on camera for an accessory 50mm viewfinder.... to make life easier for you all..... Good luck.......
I just saw that the wind button rotates when rewinding so you can see when the film is disengaged before it fully winds into the canister.For those who develop their own film that means no fiddling to get the film leader out. M or X does not matter when shooting without flash. It's just an electrical contact that is closed by the shutter mechanism either a tiny bit in advance (M) or immediately when the shutter opens fully (X). The lever just the position of the contact. Leave it on the setting most of your flashes need.
The build quality on this generation of Voigtlanders is remarkable. Whether the satin chrome finish or the real leather body covering, they tend to still be in top condition today. I always wanted what I consider the supreme version, the Vito III, but its rising prices always seemed to be a bit out of reach for me. Voigtlander lenses always seemed to be a bit better that their similar models from other makers. The Color-Skopar is a 4 element lens modeled on the Zeiss Tessar formula, but but the Skopar always seems to be a bit sharper, more contrast, etc.
I have my grandfather's Vito II (no cold shoe; 50mm f/3.5 color skopar; Prontor-SV) and have just loaded it with Ilford Kentmere Pan 100 ISO, set to 200 ISO. Will take some shots today to test the little guy. Cool-looking rig.
A lovely little camera. I recently picked one up with a gorgeous leather case and accessories pouch containing a lens hood and push on B&W filter (which I think may be a close-up attachment as it seems to be magnified?)
Mine doesn't have the cold shoe and the shutter mechanism says Compur Rapid but the lens is identical.
I haven't finished my first roll yet but I'm very interested to see the results.
I also have the Voigtlander Perkeo I with the same shutter and Color-Skopar f3.5 lens except in 80mm as it's 6x6.
It has to be one of the smallest medium format cameras ever made. I have seen the results from that one and they're excellent.
Both are beautiful little cameras. Great video as always Brian.
We still view the beautiful slides my father took on this camera, over a period of nearly 40 years. So alive and natural.
Great camera, great video! I do have a folder from the same period, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa, it has a Zeiss Tessar 2.8 lens, the same Compur shutter, and also a built in lightmeter and a coupled rangefinder, and give excellent results. If anyone wants a pocketable camera with a great lens, I think those cameras are much better options than the plastic point & shoots of the 90's. They are not fast to use, though.
Thank you Mr. Grossman! Always a great video!
Love those old Voigtlanders!
my Vito ii just picked it up.... It is so beautiful... the cold shoe just clips on......I used the flat handle on a tea spoon to un-clip it...a screw driver may damage....like the flat top.... really love it thanks Brian....
Keep safe please Sir......
Beautiful camera,great job on explaining everything Brian. I love your photo show.you have showed me a lot of things on these old traditional cameras. Thank you for your knowledge 👍 and have a great day always. Gary.
My pleasure, and thank you for the kind words.
Beautiful camera, makes great photos 🙂
I have one with Prontor shutter and it works beautifully 👍
Hi, I recently bought one with a Prontor shutter as well. It works great, got some nice pics.
However, the shutter speed is stuck between about 80 and 300. Given that it's stuck there, I'd call myself lucky (you don't really need more speeds for amateur photography) however I would like to explore the lower speeds and the 'B' setting.
Also, we have the option to take a timed exposures with that red nob. I'm able to put mine up into position but it gets stuck along the away down and doesn't go all the way unless it's given some, let's call it, motivation.
Have you had these problems or not and what would you recommend to fix them?
Super helpful video- thanks! I just purchased one of these. Does the shutter fire if there is no film in the camera? Want to make sure it works before putting in film!
Generally no, although I think you can open the camera and manually manipulate a gear in order to dry fire the shutter.
Brian don't think it matters if flash synch is on X or M particularly since I believe electronic flash on X setting will synch at all shutter speeds....thanks......
Looks to me having viewed these cameras for sale that the cold shoe is removable.... so would suggest if buying you have one with it on.... could be a devil with a fishnet to get one later.......???
My Vito ii coming soon.. they say the escapment for slow speeds under 1/25th not working.....read somewhere to keep exercising the slow speeds and they may eventually work....??
I own a Vito IIa. I shoot with it often. Easily one of my two favorite cameras of all I own that I own. The other is my Yashica 35.
Great video, just recently picked up a Vito II as my first camera and have had a lot of fun putting two spools through it and learning about photography.
In one of your videos you mentioned that you live in Israel and I have some questions, would you mind sending your email so that I can contact you?
The Leather case pretty unmarked....so beautiful.....
One con maybe that there is no neckstrap or no body lugs?!
Mine came with a contoured leather case with a sling strap, it wraps around the body and screw into the bottom of the camera body, and covers the front of the camera with a little drop flap.
"Sort of bellows" ?
You can still buy flash bulbs from only one mfg Meggaflash technologies....this is current in 2023 Brian cheers......
Don't get me wrong I really love this camera but the viewfinder must be the worst ever so my friends there is a very good case if you have a cold shoe on camera for an accessory 50mm viewfinder.... to make life easier for you all.....
Good luck.......
Mine has very blurry vague split image in RF fucusing zone.
is it easy for expirienced repair shop to fix?
I'm sorry, but you must be talking about a different camera. The Vito II does not have a rangefinder. It is a zone focusing camera.