Comments on: Voigtlander Vito BL

By: Anthea

Anthea — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:11:23 +0000

Ole thanks for your comment
TRANSLATION (from Google Translate)

I have found a VITO BL at flea markets, believe it or not it cost me the princely sum of 10.00 DKeller about 1.5 EURO. Camera seems to have a second kysmåler function, so I’m not quite become familiar with even the shutter button is different, I have used Voiglænder since 1955 when I stayed in Switzerland, where I bought a camera.

By: Ole Nielsen

Ole Nielsen — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:26:09 +0000

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.

By: Terence Moran

Terence Moran — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:05:18 +0000

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.

By: Anthea

Anthea — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:07:11 +0000

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?

By: Chuck Moore

Chuck Moore — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:48:35 +0000

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.

By: Roy Grove

Roy Grove — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:32:40 +0000

I find vintage cameras ok to use – the Voigtlanders deliver great results :)

By: Anthea

Anthea — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:58:59 +0000

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.

By: kerwin

kerwin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:11:50 +0000

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.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:19:26 +0000

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)