Difference between revisions of "Vito B"
(→Variants) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (grouped links together, commented out link to Retrography (that is currently offline) and removed footnote) |
||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
| − | The '''Vito BL''' was a variant with a [[Bewi]] [[selenium meter|selenium exposure meter]] | + | The '''Vito BL''' was a variant with a [[Bewi]] [[selenium meter|selenium exposure meter]], mainly made for export to the USA. |
The '''Vito BR''' is an uncommon variant with a [[coupled rangefinder]]. | The '''Vito BR''' is an uncommon variant with a [[coupled rangefinder]]. | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
{{br}} | {{br}} | ||
| − | == | + | == Notes == |
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | == Links == | ||
| + | In English: | ||
* Matt Denton, [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html Voigtlander Vito B]. | * Matt Denton, [http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html Voigtlander Vito B]. | ||
* Mike Elek (2008), [http://www.elekm.net/pages/cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito B]. | * Mike Elek (2008), [http://www.elekm.net/pages/cameras/vitob.htm Voigtlander Vito B]. | ||
* Keith South (2001), [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB2Survey.html Voigtlander Vito B survey]. ''Living Image Camera Museum''. | * Keith South (2001), [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB2Survey.html Voigtlander Vito B survey]. ''Living Image Camera Museum''. | ||
* Keith South, [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB1st.html Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954]. | * Keith South, [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/VitoB1st.html Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954]. | ||
| − | * Simon Simonsen, [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com] | + | <!-- This site seems dead: |
| − | + | * Simon Simonsen, [http://www.retrography.com Vito section at Retrography.com] --> | |
| − | + | In French: | |
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_B.php Vito B], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_BL.php Vito BL], Vito B user manual: [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_Vito_B_de&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B&PHPSESSID=a1a8096b48babd167c812fea51423929 German] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_vito_B&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B French] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_B.php Vito B], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/voigtlander/html/voigtlander_vito_BL.php Vito BL], Vito B user manual: [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_Vito_B_de&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B&PHPSESSID=a1a8096b48babd167c812fea51423929 German] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/accesnotices/html/lire_repertoire?repert=Voigtlander_vito_B&marque=Voigtlander&modele=Vito%20B French] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]] | [[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]] | ||
Revision as of 17:18, 14 December 2010
|
| The original Vito B. |
The Vito B is an attractive and compact 35mm viewfinder introduced in 1954 by Voigtländer. It has the fine Color-Skopar 50mm f/3.5 or f/2.8 lens (a four element Tessar-type) in a 4-speed Pronto or 8-speed Prontor shutter.
Shutter
The Vito B was equipped with either a 4-speed Pronto (B, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/200th sec)[1] or 8-speed (B, 1, 1/2, 1/5th, 1/10th, 1/25th, 1/50th, 1/100th, and 1/300th sec) Prontor SVS shutter, the 4-speed shutter being discontinued in 1959.[2] The shutter is cocked by the film engaging a sprocket wheel, preventing double exposure, and so will not cock if there is not a film present;[3] this has led some to mistakenly diagnose the shutter of a working Vito B as broken.
The self-timer mechanism can be engaged by moving the synchronising lever to the V (green) position; however, given the age of the camera and the weak governing spring,[1] using this feature is discouraged, as it can cause the camera to stop working.[3]
Nine times out of ten, a non working self timer is due to muck, not springs. There is a watch mechanism that controls the self timer, but, unlike a watch, it is not effectively sealed. Nearly all cameras with Prontor or Compur mechanisms need regular cleaning if they are used regularly. Even the shutter timing mechanism is clockwork and it only takes a speck of dust to jam it. People then start ripping them apart, usually from the wrong end and end up with a pile of non working bits. (Guess how I know). (Added by Laurie Pettitt)
Aesthetics and ergonomics
The Vito B's body is compact and rounded, a look characterised as "cute".[4] It has some nice features including a hinged baseplate for easy loading (which also releases the back) and a milled film counter that counts down rather than up.
The Vito B body existed in two versions, the first one had a small viewfinder and low profile top plate. The later version, brought out in 1959 had a larger bright-frame viewfinder; while brighter and more useful than the original Vito B's viewfinder, some enthusiasts feel that this spoiled the appearance of the camera.[5]
Variants
The Vito BL was a variant with a Bewi selenium exposure meter, mainly made for export to the USA.
The Vito BR is an uncommon variant with a coupled rangefinder.
|
|
| Vito B, large finder. (Image rights) | Vito BL. (Image rights) |
Notes
Links
In English:
- Matt Denton, Voigtlander Vito B.
- Mike Elek (2008), Voigtlander Vito B.
- Keith South (2001), Voigtlander Vito B survey. Living Image Camera Museum.
- Keith South, Voigtlander Vito B, 35mm camera c1954.
In French:
- Vito B, Vito BL, Vito B user manual: German and French on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
