Difference between revisions of "Voigtländer VSL"

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The Voigtländer VSL is a series of 35mm SLR bodies manufactured by [[Rollei]] in the 1970s and 1980s under the brand name [[Voigtländer]]. The name belonged to Zeiss before the demise of [[Zeiss Ikon]] in 1972, then was taken over by Rollei.
+
The Voigtländer VSL is a series of 35mm SLR bodies manufactured by [[Rollei]] in the 1970s and 1980s under the brand name [[Voigtländer]] (which Rollei had taken over from Zeiss after the demise of [[Zeiss Ikon]] in 1972).
  
== Screw mount models ==
+
== Screw-mount models ==
  
Rollei continued the production of the last 35mm SLR developed by Zeiss Ikon, the [[Zeiss Ikon SL706|SL706]] and named it '''Voigtländer VSL 1'''. It could accept [[42mm screw lenses]] and is today called the '''VSL 1 (TM)''' to distinguish it from its follower. It existed in chrome and black. It was a quite straightforward SLR, with a fixed prism and a CdS through-the-lens meter. The exposure reading was possible at open aperture with [[42mm screw lenses#Zeiss lenses|those lenses]] specifically designed for it, or the previous generation of lenses designed for the Icarex and SL706.
+
Rollei continued the production of the last 35mm SLR developed by Zeiss Ikon, the [[Zeiss Ikon SL706|SL706]], naming it '''Voigtländer VSL 1'''. It takes [[42mm screw lenses]] and is today called the '''VSL 1 (TM)''' to distinguish it from its successor. It exists in chrome and black. It is a quite straightforward SLR, with a fixed prism and a CdS through-the-lens (TTL) meter. The exposure reading was possible at open aperture with specifically designed for it or the previous generation of lenses designed for the Icarex and SL706 (see [[42mm screw lenses#Zeiss lenses|Zeiss lenses]]).
  
The production was delocalized to Singapore. Only 500 VSL 1 bodies were built in Germany, all the later cameras were assembled in Singapore. The rumor says that the quality control in the Singapore plant was poor at the beginning, but that the situation improved with the years.
+
Only five hundred VSL 1 bodies were built in Germany, and thereafter the cameras were assembled in Singapore. Rumor says that quality control in the Singapore plant was poor at the beginning but that it improved with the years.
  
There was a name variant of the VSL 1 called the '''Ifbaflex M102''', made for a French distributor with an Ifbagon 1.8/50 standard lens (a rebadged Planar 1.8/50). It only existed in chrome finish, and was built in Germany.
+
There is a name variant of the VSL 1 called the '''Ifbaflex M102''', made for a French distributor, with an Ifbagon 1.8/50 standard lens (a rebadged Planar 1.8/50). It only exists in chrome finish, and was built in Germany.
  
At about the same time, a prototype called the '''VSL 2 CX automatic''' was developed, based on the [[Chinon CE Memotron]]. It had automatic exposure and [[42mm screw lenses]]. It only existed in very small quantities, and was never released on the marketplace. The only picture I know is [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_camera02.htm here].
+
At about the same time, a prototype called the '''VSL 2 CX automatic''' was developed, based on the [[Chinon CE Memotron]]. It has automatic exposure and [[42mm screw lenses]]. It only exists in very small quantities, and was never released on the marketplace.  
  
== Bayonet mount models ==
+
== Bayonet-mount models ==
  
The VSL 1 (TM) was a concurrent of Rollei's 35mm SLR, the [[Rolleiflex SL35]] and SL350, which used the [[Rolleiflex SL35 lenses]]. This situation was absurd. It ended in 1976, when Rollei abandoned the development of the SL35 and SL350, and decided instead to concentrate on the VSL design. So they launched a variant of the VSL 1 with the SL35 bayonet mount. It was also named '''VSL 1''', and is today called the '''VSL 1 (BM)'''. It only existed in black, and all were made in Singapore. The [[Rolleiflex SL35M]] was the same body with modified cosmetics.
+
The VSL 1 (TM) was sold at the same time as Rollei's 35mm SLR, the [[Rolleiflex SL35]] and SL350, which used [[Rolleiflex SL35 lenses]]. This absurd situation ended in 1976, when Rollei abandoned development of the SL35 and SL350 and decided instead to concentrate on the VSL design. Rollei thereupon launched a variant of the VSL 1 with the SL35 bayonet mount. It was also named '''VSL 1''', and is today called the '''VSL 1 (BM)'''. It only exists in black, and all were made in Singapore. The [[Rolleiflex SL35M]] was the same body with modified cosmetics.
  
In 1976 was developed a version with aperture priority automation, called the '''VSL 2 automatic'''. The shutter speed selected by the meter was indicated in the finder by a needle. The VSL 2 automatic was sold together with the VSL 1 (BM). It only existed in black. Its Rollei equivalent was the [[Rolleiflex SL35ME]].
+
In 1976 was developed a version with aperture priority automation, called the '''VSL 2 automatic'''. The shutter speed selected by the meter is indicated in the finder by a needle. The VSL 2 automatic was sold together with the VSL 1 (BM). It only exists in black. Its Rollei equivalent is the [[Rolleiflex SL35ME]].
  
 
== Next generation ==
 
== Next generation ==
  
The next generation came at the end of 1977 with the '''VSL 3-E''', the last Voigtländer body to be designed in Germany. It had an all-new electronic vertically running focal plane shutter, with flash sync at 1/125, and a SiO2 meter with aperture priority or manual exposure. The shutter speed was indicated by LEDs in the finder. It could also accept an external winder or motor drive. It was sold in chrome or black. Its Rollei equivalent was the [[Rolleiflex SL35E]].
+
The next generation came at the end of 1977 with the '''VSL 3-E''', the last Voigtländer body to be designed in Germany. It has an all-new electronic vertically-running focal plane shutter, with flash sync at 1/125, and a SiO2 <!-- What's this? --> meter with aperture priority automatic or manual exposure. The shutter speed is indicated by LEDs in the finder. It can also accept an external winder or motor drive. It exists in chrome or black. Its Rollei equivalent is the [[Rolleiflex SL35E]].
  
The '''Vitoflex E''' was the pre-release version of the VSL 3-E, with a shutter going to 1/2000. The name was changed before the release because it was too close to [[Visoflex]] patented by [[Leica]].  Some pictures are available [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_camera03.htm here].
+
The '''Vitoflex E''' is the pre-release version of the VSL 3-E, with a shutter going to 1/2000. The name was changed before the release because it was too close to "[[Visoflex]]", a trademark registered by [[Leica|Leitz]].
  
In 1981 Rollei went bankrupt. They had to close the Singapore plant, ceased the production of middle-range 35mm SLRs to concentrate on the high end [[Rolleiflex SL2000F]], and stopped using the Voigtländer name.
+
In 1981 Rollei went bankrupt. It had to close the Singapore plant and cease production of middle-range 35mm SLRs to concentrate on the expensive [[Rolleiflex SL2000F]]; and it stopped using the Voigtländer name.
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* Afalter, Udo. ''Voigtländer Kameras & Objective.'' Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 2nd edition, 1998.
+
* Afalter, Udo. ''Voigtländer Kameras und Objective.'' 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 1998.
 
* Matanle, Ivor. ''Collecting and Using Classic SLRs.'' London: Thames & Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0-500-01726-3. Pp.&nbsp;107&ndash;9.
 
* Matanle, Ivor. ''Collecting and Using Classic SLRs.'' London: Thames & Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0-500-01726-3. Pp.&nbsp;107&ndash;9.
  
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** [http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/rollei/Rolleilaccys.htm SL35 and VSL accessories]
 
** [http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/rollei/Rolleilaccys.htm SL35 and VSL accessories]
 
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20050307002949/http://www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/sl35/models.htm Rollei SL35 and Voigtländer VSL] at the [http://web.archive.org/web/20050216043040/www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/index.htm Rollei Club] (the site is dead and the links point to the web archive version dated March 7, 2005)
 
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20050307002949/http://www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/sl35/models.htm Rollei SL35 and Voigtländer VSL] at the [http://web.archive.org/web/20050216043040/www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/index.htm Rollei Club] (the site is dead and the links point to the web archive version dated March 7, 2005)
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_pdf_manuals.htm Voigtländer manuals] (.pdf format), in cluding a manual for the VSL 3-E at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ butkus.org's Orphan Cameras]
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_pdf_manuals.htm Voigtländer manuals] (.pdf format), including a manual for the VSL 3-E at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ butkus.org's Orphan Cameras]
 +
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_camera02.htm Photograph of the VSL&nbsp;2 CX automatic]
 +
 
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_index.htm VSL pages] at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/index.htm Office Heliar]
 
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_index.htm VSL pages] at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/index.htm Office Heliar]
 +
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/voigtlander/vsl/vsl_camera03.htm Photographs of the Vitoflex]
  
 
[[Category: 35mm SLR]]
 
[[Category: 35mm SLR]]

Revision as of 22:28, 25 October 2006

The Voigtländer VSL is a series of 35mm SLR bodies manufactured by Rollei in the 1970s and 1980s under the brand name Voigtländer (which Rollei had taken over from Zeiss after the demise of Zeiss Ikon in 1972).

Screw-mount models

Rollei continued the production of the last 35mm SLR developed by Zeiss Ikon, the SL706, naming it Voigtländer VSL 1. It takes 42mm screw lenses and is today called the VSL 1 (TM) to distinguish it from its successor. It exists in chrome and black. It is a quite straightforward SLR, with a fixed prism and a CdS through-the-lens (TTL) meter. The exposure reading was possible at open aperture with specifically designed for it or the previous generation of lenses designed for the Icarex and SL706 (see Zeiss lenses).

Only five hundred VSL 1 bodies were built in Germany, and thereafter the cameras were assembled in Singapore. Rumor says that quality control in the Singapore plant was poor at the beginning but that it improved with the years.

There is a name variant of the VSL 1 called the Ifbaflex M102, made for a French distributor, with an Ifbagon 1.8/50 standard lens (a rebadged Planar 1.8/50). It only exists in chrome finish, and was built in Germany.

At about the same time, a prototype called the VSL 2 CX automatic was developed, based on the Chinon CE Memotron. It has automatic exposure and 42mm screw lenses. It only exists in very small quantities, and was never released on the marketplace.

Bayonet-mount models

The VSL 1 (TM) was sold at the same time as Rollei's 35mm SLR, the Rolleiflex SL35 and SL350, which used Rolleiflex SL35 lenses. This absurd situation ended in 1976, when Rollei abandoned development of the SL35 and SL350 and decided instead to concentrate on the VSL design. Rollei thereupon launched a variant of the VSL 1 with the SL35 bayonet mount. It was also named VSL 1, and is today called the VSL 1 (BM). It only exists in black, and all were made in Singapore. The Rolleiflex SL35M was the same body with modified cosmetics.

In 1976 was developed a version with aperture priority automation, called the VSL 2 automatic. The shutter speed selected by the meter is indicated in the finder by a needle. The VSL 2 automatic was sold together with the VSL 1 (BM). It only exists in black. Its Rollei equivalent is the Rolleiflex SL35ME.

Next generation

The next generation came at the end of 1977 with the VSL 3-E, the last Voigtländer body to be designed in Germany. It has an all-new electronic vertically-running focal plane shutter, with flash sync at 1/125, and a SiO2 meter with aperture priority automatic or manual exposure. The shutter speed is indicated by LEDs in the finder. It can also accept an external winder or motor drive. It exists in chrome or black. Its Rollei equivalent is the Rolleiflex SL35E.

The Vitoflex E is the pre-release version of the VSL 3-E, with a shutter going to 1/2000. The name was changed before the release because it was too close to "Visoflex", a trademark registered by Leitz.

In 1981 Rollei went bankrupt. It had to close the Singapore plant and cease production of middle-range 35mm SLRs to concentrate on the expensive Rolleiflex SL2000F; and it stopped using the Voigtländer name.

Bibliography

  • Afalter, Udo. Voigtländer Kameras und Objective. 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 1998.
  • Matanle, Ivor. Collecting and Using Classic SLRs. London: Thames & Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0-500-01726-3. Pp. 107–9.

Links

In English:

In Japanese: