Contribute to this project and help out other Vito BL photographers
I’m running a mini photography project here at Lilahpops for photographers using the vintage camera Voigtlander Vito BL. I’ve been using this camera on and off for the last 9 months or so and find that not only is it a refreshing change from using digital, it’s also a wonderful and challenging way to learn photography. The Vito BL is totally manual, no batteries necessary, an odd feeling after digital.
I’ve had several requests for a copy of the camera’s manual and it got me thinking as to other ways users of the Vito BL might find help in using this camera. Who better to help than others in a similar situation?
You don’t need to be a professional user of the Vito BL to contribute to this project.
Would you like to participate?
I’m inviting people who use the Voigtlander Vito BL. I find it fascinating that vintage cameras are still alive and kicking and that there are so many photographers out there who love film photography – and more specifically vintage camera photography. The Vito BL is my introduction to vintage photography so this is the focus of the project. I know there are far more experienced Vito BL users than me – I’m still learning. I get back developed film rolls with good photos, bad photos, blurry, sharp, you name it.
There are just two things you need to do to participate (well, three if you include using the contact form to let me know you are interested):
1. Upload some photos taken with the Voigtlander Vito BL
After using the contact form, I’ll be in touch. You can email photos to be included in the project results, your best and worse ones, if you like. Or, better yet, if you have posted any of your Voigtlander shots to your Flickr/Zoomr etc account I’ll link to them instead. I’ll just to let you know here that I’ll probably use a thumbnail image of your photos as the link and I’ll attribute each of your photos with your name or Flickr/Zoomr etc id with something along the lines of “Photograph courtesy of …”
2. Answer our simple questions
For a general overview of what it’s like to use the Voigtlander, I ask you to consider these questions (and any other thoughts/advice you may have). You don’t need to write anything at length, unless you wish to.
a. What attracted you to the Voigtlander?
For instance, is it because you have a general interest in vintage cameras, was it a cheap buy on eBay, did someone give you the camera, or did you have to learn how to use a vintage camera for an assignment or course?
For me: the Voigtlander was my father’s first camera and he passed it on to me to experiment with as my interest in photography grew.
b. Do you like using the Voigtlander?
For instance, is it easy/difficult to use, fun or complicated, a learning experience?
For me: I find it a great introduction to the basics of photography as everything has to be set manually on the camera to take a photo. Sometimes I am way off with estimating the distance!
c. How does it compare to other vintage cameras you have used?
For me: I haven’t used other cameras this old but I am getting a taste for vintage.
d. Do you prefer modern day digital cameras to older film and vintage models?
For me: I do love digital – love digital – but I’m glad to have an older film camera at hand.
What’s the deadline?
Just over three weeks from now – submissions end Friday 23 May 2008
There are no winners, no prizes. That being said, you will feel a general, fuzzy sense of well-being after having helped out a fellow Voigtlander Vito BL photographer or two.
Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?…
If you have a Voigtlander Vito BL in your arsenal and would like to help out fellow photographers use their vintage Vito BLs then you need to participate in this mini-project!…
Best of luck with your new project, I hope it is successful! I don’t have a Vito BL so I can’t participate, but I look forward to seeing the submissions.
Thanks for the moral support, Neil!
Hi
This is pretty crazy. I bought a Vito BL four weeks ago and today I found out my sister in law got one given to her by her German father in law ten years ago and just today we decided to get them going and shoot some film. Tonight looking for a manual (so many dials) I found your site. If we can get our cameras operating we’re in. I’ve also got a Vito II, does that qualify (if the BL won’t co-operate)
cheers
rick
Hi Rick,
Great news! I hope you get your cameras working; they are fun to use. I’ve just emailed you through the link to the manual. Good luck with it.
Please find the user’s manual for the Voigtlander Vito BL at this web site:
http://gallery.mac.com/genepark#100053&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=0
Thanks for the link, Gene that’s very helpful!
The manual looks similar to the one I have, the main difference being that the covers are different colours:
http://www.lilahpops.com/voigtlander/
Pls send me a link to the manual, as need it am going on a trip tomorrow and would like to understand my camera.
Best
Charles
Hi Charles,
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll send you the link by email.
Hi!
I recently got a voightlander BL as a sort of inheritance from my grandfather. Thanks so much for the manual! Mine doesn’t have a built-in light meter, so the sunny 16-rule you mentioned on another page is about the best news I’ve got this far :D Now I can use it without having to guess too much…
If your interested in more photographs, I can send you some of the pictures after I get my first film role developed. My grandma has a dark room, so I’m gonna try developing myself as well. How’s that for old skool :P
Thanks a lot for all the info, I’m so excited!
Niels
Hi Niels,
That sounds great, you very own dark room! Perhaps when you develop your film you can add some photos to Flickr so we can all have a look? With some of your own developing tips of course :-D
hello anthea! i had a BL mee to but i don’t understand
everything! can you send me too pls by mail the manual? i’ll
partage with you all my photos! thanks!
Hi patika, you can access the manual from the menu bar. I hope it helps with your Voigtlander!
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