Voigtlander Vito B

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Voigtlander Vito B

Voigtlander’s (Pronounced Foichtlander(1)) roots go back to the mid-1850s as a pioneer optics maker in Germany, deep to the Daguerreotype fame. In the early past century, prewar models were the classic types, folders, TLR and stereo cameras. The post-war era brought a demand for cheaper, friendlier cameras, so the Vito model line was born. The first Vito models were the II and III, 1950 and 1951, both klapp styles. The Vito B followed in 1954, with a long list of variants in tow, similar or not, named Vito, Vitoflex, Vitomatic and Vitoret. After the brand’s demise, Vito point-and-shoot models were sold by Plusfoto and Ringfoto but had nothing to do with the classic, well-built original Vito cameras. Voigtlander’s last film models, the Bessa rangefinder cameras , were made by Cosina. Till date, Voigtlander still makes high-end lenses.

Voigtlander used the Vito name or prefix for several camera types, from viewfinders to rangefinders to SLR and entry-level modes, under Vitoret. The Vitomatic models were Vito class with a light meter. The Vito BL, with a light meter, and the BR, a rangefinder, closely followed the Vito B, with similar build and specs.

The Vito B had three versions, differing by lens and shutter combination, see the table below. A 1958 model had a large viewer, hence an overall taller body. It is marked with the same Vito B name, and is unofficially referred to as Vito B II.

The camera is small, well-designed and well-made. It is a pleasure to use once familiar with the specific quirks.

Good to know:

  • The bottom cover is made of two sections. Turning the turnbuckle on the left opens the hinged part, and the back flips open.
  • The shutter is cocked by the film perforation turning the cog on the film track. On empty, the winding lever will move, but the shutter will not fire.
  • Pull the left-mounted protruding, serrated lever backward to rewind so the rewind knob will pop up.
  • The frame counter is set by turning the serrated dial at the bottom.
  • In the Prontor SVS model, the self-timer is marked by ‘V’ on the synch settings arm.

(1) The CH is pronounced like the Spanish J, Dutch G, Scottish CH or Hebrew ח.

 

List number 203 204
Brand Voigtlander
Model Vito B
Manual Butkus
Flicker
Value at camdex.ca Vito B Vito B II
Format 35mm
Introduced 1954 1954 1954 1958
AKA Vito B II
Country Germany
Qty made
Initial price 109 169 109 109 / 169
Currency DM
Type Viewfinder
Body material Metal
Mode Mechanical
Weight 500 gr,  Body with lens
Class average weight 400 gr,  Body with lens
ASA range N/A
Kit lens 3.5/50 2.8/50 3.5/50 2.8/50, 3.5/50
Lens make Color Skopar
Filter size
Lens mount Fixed
Mount size
Aperture
Shutter Leaf
Shutter make Pronto Prontor SVS Prontor SVS Prontor SVS
Light meter None
Winder Lever
Lock No
Speeds B, 25-200 B, 1-300 B, 25-200 B, 25-200
Mirror N/A
Viewer Viewfinder
DOF preview No
Exposure lock No
Exposure compensation No
Shoe Cold
External sync M X/M X/M X/M
Sync speed
Timer Yes, mechanical
Battery, original N/A
Battery, replacement N/A
Battery voltage
Integral flash None
Other Large viewer
Service / repair links See camerlog.com
More Voigtlander Vito family list
From focal plane to eternity

   

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