Whilst I would dearly love to have had all the entries here there have been delays with some and I have been keen to post those that have were submitted on time (it’s been just over a month since the end of the project date). So there are a couple more people still waiting in the wings with their entries but due to other business have not yet submitted. I hope they do, and if so, you’ll see an update.

Project recap

To answer four questions and submit some photos taken with the Voigtlander Vito BL.

• 1. What attracted you to the Voigtlander?
• 2. Do you like using the Voigtlander?
• 3. How does it compare to other vintage cameras you have used?
• 4. Do you prefer modern day digital cameras to older film and vintage models?

The idea came about as I’ve had quite a few requests for a scanned copy of the Vito BL manual and it got me thinking as to what these photographers think of its performance and operation.

Perhaps if I extended the project to include other models or to vintage cameras in general I may have had more responses. But that is something I have learned for any future project I may host.

So without further ado:

Photos and verdict by Anthea Brown (me)

aka lilahpops on Flickr

Click on the corresponding link below to see the larger version at Flickr.
1. Green Door in Wall, 2. A statue watering the garden, 3. Lines and lines and lines, 4. In the garden, 5. Another sunny Sunday, 6. Afternoon at the bay

My camera belonged to my father who bought it second-hand in 1959. It’s a solid piece of equipment, totally manual and doesn’t even use batteries. He passed it on to me as my interest in photography grew – it was my first real ‘plunge’ into photography.

It’s fun to use. All the actions are manual, there are no shortcuts. You need to read the lightmeter to set the aperture, to set the shutter speed and then set the distance. Lucky for me, my father also had the rangefinder accessory which helps as it’s easy to make the wrong guess-timation without one.

For me, the most difficult action is interpreting the lightmeter although I recently discovered it doesn’t work as well as it should. I’m having better luck following the Sunny 16 rule.

Do I prefer vintage to digital? It’s a tough call and I still can’t decide. I do love my little digital point-and-shoot camera and aim to buy a DSLR in the near future. I found the Vito BL was a great introduction to learning the basics of photography and move away from automatic settings. I definitely need to improve in recording the various settings I try out as I have usually forgotten these by the time I get the film developed.

Photos and verdict by Zafer Yurtseven

Click on the images below to view a large version.

Zafer is from Turkey and here is his experience using the Vito BL:

I found the Vito BL on a local e-auction site like eBay. I am a film camera lover and although I had heard about Voigtlander cameras I had not used one. As it was cheap, I wanted to give it a try. The camera is very well built, very cute and comfortable to handle. But it lacks one major thing, a coupled rangefinder. A lightmeter can be arranged easily but not the rangefinder. If it had one, it would be my favourite camera…

I normally use two film cameras, a Leica M2 and a basic Nikon film camera FM10…

I don’t own a digital SLR as I don’t enjoy digital photography. So as my Leica is nearly 50 years old, Vito BL is not “very vintage” for me. I will keep my Vito BL in my collection but I probably won’t use it much because of the rangefinder problem. Anyway, using a Vito BL was a great experience and thank you very much for your kind help and interest

Photos and verdict by Torfinn Rosfjord

aka xTorfinnx on Flickr

Click on the corresponding link below to see the larger version at Flickr.

1. Tetris 4, 2. Tetris 3, 3. Jæren, 4. Tetris2, 5. Tetris1, 6. Old DDR

Torfinn is from Norway. Here is his response to using the Vito BL:

My grandfather bought it in 1957 when he was in the Norwegian navy and took many pictures from around the world. He gave me this camera when I told him that I was in an 2nd hand store looking for an vintage camera. So that was fun!

All the parts are in original boxes with the receipt :) My grandfather said “I cant understand why you want this old junk when you got all those new cameras that you can just push a button,” but he smiled when I told him that I liked to keep up the tradition, as he did … and when I eventually do a coast to coast roadtrip in the USA I can now use his camera. In a way history repeats itself…

I like this camera and that you don’t really know how the pictures are turning out before you get them processed … I like the vintage look and that I’m getting an experience into how they did it in the “old days” … I have used a Zenite E and a Nikon fm2 before, but I don’t need a rangefinder with those. So is a little more work with the Voigtlander…

I prefer vintage cameras over the modern ones because with digital cameras, almost all you do is press a button and you get a picture … but with vintage cameras it’s a longer process, so you care more about what you take picture of. So I use vintage cameras because it gets a warmer feeling in the pictures. But I do use a small digital camera to preserve some memories as well.

Photos and verdict by Mark Wilson

aka ihageefanatic on Flickr

Click on the corresponding link below to see the larger version at Flickr.
1. Lonely Wait, 2. Shadow Show, 3. Horton Hears a Who, 4. Reflection, 5. Early Morning Commute

Mark says:

I borrowed one [Voigtlander Vito BL] after having disposed of a Vito B. I’m attracted to these [cameras] because of the beautiful warm colours one gets from the Color Skopar lens …

It is slightly different than other cameras of the era. The one I used had a transport problem. I gave up on the light meter. The linkage between the aperture and the shutter setting that maintains constant exposure is a real pain. The bright finder promises beautifully aligned horizontals and doesn’t deliver. The eccentric film counter is great when I remember its odd operation. This camera is very small. And heavy. I like it.

Digital camera? What’s that? One which is manipulated by one’s fingers? The Vito BL is a modern camera compared to the other ones I carry.

Mark’s hints for using the rigid front Vito B and BL:

A big thank you to everyone who particpated!

If you have more tips for using the Vito BL that you think may help other photographers please add them in the comments.

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict

Also of interest

• Vito BL project update
• Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?
• More pictures from the Vito BL

We have a few participants so far and a couple more potentials are on their way; it all depends on whether or not the ol’ camera will co-operate.

I’ve been fascinated by the quality of the photos taken with the Vito BL. Not simply that a 50-odd year old camera still functions and takes great photos, but that the photographers of these vintage cameras are taking top-quality images. That by using equipment that doesn’t have the auto- buttons/focus/settings/speeds etc the users of these cameras really have to think about the photo – it’s not a simple point-and-shoot process.

So far, it seems that often, like myself, the Vito BL has been passed down the family line, mostly from fathers and grandfathers. My Voigtlander was passed on to me from my father, who bought it c.1959. I was impressed to find out, however, with one submission, that the Vito BL isn’t even considered a vintage camera. It is one of the newer cameras in that particular collection! Of course, eBay also play its part.

What’s this project about?

A quick recap on the project details is to submit photos taken with the Voigtlander Vito BL (if you have a Flickr/Zooomr etc account even better!) and answer four quick questions.

Submissions end Friday 23 May 2008.

Here are a few samples taken with my Voigtlander Vito BL:

After a couple of rolls of film I realised that my light meter doesn’t quite work and here I am going with the tried and tested “Sunny 16″ rule.

Building in York Street, Sydney

And from a B&W film

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

Vito BL project update

Also of interest

• Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict
• Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?
• More pictures from the Vito BL

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.

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?

Also of interest

• Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict
• Vito BL project update
• More pictures from the Vito BL

A door in wall along a laneway in The Rocks area.

Argyle Street in The Rocks. I like this street corner with the modern skyscrapers shooting up behind the beautiful original buildings. Old and new together.

Learning to read the exposure meter

As predicted, it has taken a bit of practice to set the exposure correctly on the camera. The exposure meter has a striped indicator which I was mis-reading slightly and therefore setting the light scale ring about 1/2 a number higher than I should have been. (see previous post showing the striped light meter)

The next roll of film is black and white…

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

More pictures from the Vito BL

Also of interest

• Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict
• Vito BL project update
• Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?

Opening the envelope brought back memories of the excitement, surprise and occasional disappointment of that first glance through a roll of film. I was also a bit of fearful that none of them would turn out. Of course, some shots were total disasters, but I expected that.

Taking the photos

Using the vintage camera wasn’t as complicated as I’d initially thought. In fact, I had a lot of fun. It was more a matter of remembering to set everything: the speed, aperture and then the distance. After that I was relying on blind faith to do the rest! With a bit more practice it will come naturally.

The results

As usual, my cats kindly modeled for most of the photos. Some photos were over-exposed. So I’ve taken closer notice of the hints from the manual. I don’t think I can blame this vintage camera for all my bad shots.

Good focus

These two shots of Lilah were a great surprise – she had been moving around so much, jumping from chair to chair. Eventually she settled down and she is perfectly in focus. The one directly above is almost portrait like with its noticeable depth of field.

Cordelia loves a back-scratch on the pavers in the backyard. Even though it might look over-exposed, this is the actual color of the pavers…and of Cordelia.

Over-exposed

Unfortunately, this one is disastrously over-exposed. It’s a disappointing result, as the sky was intensely blue and the kite was very colorful. Afterwards, I re-read the tip in the manual about slightly pointing the camera down when taking a exposure reading.

Blurry

With this one I hadn’t adjusted the speed aperture correctly and the result was a slightly blurry tree. Even though the camera felt steady, I had misread the setting. However, it really is a great tree. I’ll go back and practice this one again.

Bright

A nice shot to end on, in focus, if a tad bright.

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

Photos from the Voigtlander Vito BL

Also of interest

• Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict
• Vito BL project update
• Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?

I have to get film processed!

How old is this camera?

The camera belongs to my father. He bought it second-hand (from his future brother-in-law) way back in 1959 when he was 15 years old.

Not a lot of information is available online about this camera but I found that the Voigtlander Vito BL is camera was first produced around 1956-7.

Camera description

This vintage camera is in good condition, a rust spot or two, but I don’t think it will affect the performance. It still has the original brown leather case with hand strap. The case has a small bolt on the bottom right hand side which screws into the camera itself and holds it firmly inside the case. It means you can flip open the top half of the case and shoot a photo without taking it all the way out of its housing. Quite handy. And it adds to the stylishness of the piece.

Thanks to my father’s interest in history the manual has also survived – a bit of sticky tape here and there, but a very useful introduction all the same. And some great images.

Using the Voigtlander Vito BL

The camera is quite weighty but not too heavy, it feels very solid or secure, somehow, in your hands. It’s fun to use. Every action is manual. The lever to wind on the film to the next frame is fabulous. Even rewinding the film requires a separate button to be pressed, which pops up another button (in the image below) on top of the camera with which you wind off the film.

Being accustomed to a digital camera, and before that a simple point and shoot, means this will be a bit of a learning curve for me. I think it’s going to be quite an experience learning more about photography with the Voigtlander. I’d love to know what your impressions of using ‘old-fashioned’ cameras are and any tips you may have.

This image shows the Light Exposure Meter. Using the graph you set the meter to the film speed (so for instance an ASA reading of 200 indicates you set the meter to “F”). The manual includes a more detailed table to help you set the exposure. As you point the camera towards your subject, the needle moves along the black and white segments of the window and the final reading is what you set the light scale ring to. Sounds complicated, huh?

Let’s see how the pictures turn out…

A search for “Voigtlander” on eBay turns up more than a few results!

Looking for a camera manual for the Vito BL?

I’m more than happy to scan the camera manual for the Voigtlander Vito BL if you need a copy (no doubt the copyright has well and truly expired). Use the contact form to drop me a line.

This is an article by Anthea Brown of Lilahpops::Plunging into Photography

Voigtlander Vito BL

Also of interest

• Voigtlander Vito BL – the verdict
• Vito BL project update
• Are you a Voigtlander Vito BL user and can you help others use it?