I have the opportunity to experiment with this vintage camera, the Voigtlander Vito BL. What a change from digital! And I have only owned a digital camera for two years. The Voigtlander really takes you back to camera basics. No automatic settings, no way to visibly focus a shot; I was initially going on blind faith. The Voigtlander camera is totally manual and it’s so ‘old’ it doesn’t even need a battery.
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.
I know I’m responding to an old post — but did you ever try out the Vito BL? Voigtlanders are wonderful cameras to use. At my website I have a gallery of my own very amateur shots with my Vitomatic II. So sharp, so quiet, and elegant besides. Sometimes it helps me to take an old camera out and use it — thinking about the process reminds me that photography is more than digital magic. (Not that I don’t love the digital magic)
Hi, i’ve found a vito BL just collecting dust at my work.
It would be very helpfull if you could share the manual.
Looks like a very decent camera, and feels much more robust then their modern models.
Hi Frank,
I agree, I like to use film for that reason too. It makes me think more about the photo before I click. Nice photos on your SmugMug account!
Hi kerwin,
Here’s the link to the Voigtlander manual: http://www.lilahpops.com/voigtlander/ and it’s the Vito-BL.zip file.
It seems there are variations on the light meter with these cameras – I soon discovered mine wasn’t reading accurately (or more that I wasn’t reading it correctly) so I tend to use the Sunny 16 rule most of the time.
You’ll have fun, regardless!
Oh, and if you post any of the results to Flickr I’d love to see them.
I find vintage cameras ok to use – the Voigtlanders deliver great results :)
I’ve been interested in photography for about 50 of my 59 years but got interested in older cameras a couple years ago. I have what seems to be a mint Vito Bl, except the shutter is stuck. I will take it to my local repair shop as soon as I get back a couple that are in for cleaning. Like an idiot, I thought both snaps on the leather case were snaps and i ripped the worn leather and had to repair it. I haven’t found out how to remove the lens. Also, mine has a different type of scale for the light meter as it tells you the apperture and shutter speed to use via a dial. I talked an old man out of it for free at a garage sale so I’m not too worried about spending a few bucks on it. I also scored 2 Minolta hi matic 7’s, one hi matic e, and a mint yashicamat LM. Also found one very nice Argus C4 and a rough C3. Trully amazing what people don’t want.
You’ve got quite a collection of old cameras! It seems there’s a variation or two on the Vito BL; some people who have asked for a copy of the camera manual say that their light meter is different. Do you ever post any of you photos to Flickr?
My dad bought my a Vito CLR yesterday and a local market for €5, gave it a quick clean and everything seems to be working. Have a roll of film in it right now so I’ll know tomorrow if there are any light leaks.
Beautiful, elegant machines these Voigtlanders, Haven’t used film in a few years (my Praktica Super TL-1000 is sick) and I’ve already had so much fun.
Jeg har fundet et VITO BL på loppemarked , tro det eller lad være det kostede mig den fyrstelige sum af 10,00 DKeller ca 1,5 EURO. Cameraet ser ud til at have en anden kysmåler funktion, så jeg er ikke helt blevet dus med, selv udløserknappen er anderledes, jeg har benyttet Voiglænder siden 1955, da jeg opholdt mig i Schweiz, hvor jeg købte et camera.
Ole thanks for your comment
TRANSLATION (from Google Translate)