Hi Peter thanks for your videos My first camera when I was 21 years old wos a Vito C (no telemeter no fotometer) then I learn photography very well doing all manualy I remember it very lovely -Best regards from ARGENTINA
Another excellent and informative video, Peter. I'm sure I have one of these cameras gathering dust somewhere but you've inspired me to dig it out and take some snaps. Thank you for uploading. Atb. 👍
Looking at the cases photography equipment came in, it's surprising we ever got round to taking the shot. Nowadays most film users carry the camera "naked", but that was very much the exception.
I have the Vito BL which is the same camera basically but has a light meter and a larger viewfinder. Great camera. The light meter seems to be the same as you have but yours is detached. Press the button, the meter wheel spins and stops at the EV number which is then placed on the camera. Kind of like a mini roulette wheel. Mine works perfectly, even after all these years. There are a lot of great things about the camera. First is the incredible quality of fit and finish. In my mind equal to Zeiss and Leica. The Color Skopar lens is a four element Tessar type lens. Very very sharp!. The camera is also very small. Not quite the size of a Rollei 35 but still very pocketable. Finally, it has one of the best viewfinders around. On my version, the finder is a huge 100% finder. You can shoot with both eyes open to follow the action with one eye and shoot with the other. Very cool and useful. The only down side to my camera is that it was made for European market, so the distance scale is in meters only. There is much to be said for the practicality of the Standard American English (SAE) measurement system as opposed to the Metric system. Very easy to guess a distance of 5 feet for the distance. Look down, it is just 5 paces of your feet. Hard to guess 1.6 meters. It is not a real world measurement. Still a wonderful camera.
I just got same camera with same stuck shutter problem...i dabbed some lighter fluid on the shutter and that loosened it up and now it works. Though in my case the problem that yours has with the crank taking the pic I dont have that issue. But for any stuck shutter always dab some light fluid witha qtip and that will fix it. Repeat as needed until smooth.
My grandad gave me his Vitoret R as my first camera, unfortunately it also has a shutter issue. It seems to stick on the shutter speeds faster than 1/60th of a second. I would love to fix it some day.
Amazing camera, thanks for the video. Build quality is exceptional, it is surprisingly heavy for it's size. Love the little details like the pin at the front under the lens so you can put the camera on a flat surface and it doesn't tip forward. Was lucky enough to pick one up in vgc, they have good optics. I got the lens hood but I didn't get a meter. Instead mine came with the Voigtlander cold shoe range finder. Although you don't really need it due to the zone focusing symbols on the lens, the little circle and diamond on the focusing scale. You can get a manual for this camera on-line. Your shutter is fine, it's probably the linkage causing the problem. Think this is all on top of the camera body so pop off the top and have a look. Probably only needs a little of your sewing machine oil to get it all working again. Again there are instructions for this on-line.
Andrew -- can you give me a 'Link' where are the instructions for taking off the top plate There is ONE screw inside at top of cassette chamber and one in the accessory shoe .
Hi Peter, great video again and a lovely little camera indeed. And the little BEWI is one of my most loved lightmeters of all time. Rarely they come in smarter and smaller packages. The meter works similar to the ones build into the minox b subminiture cameras ( I had a special about them some months ago on my channel - but they all ar in German so not of much use for the international audience ;-) ) The way the meter works (if it does) is quite simple: As usual point the meter in the direction you want to take a reading of and press the button. Keep it pressed for 3 seconds. The manual usually tells you to press for only one second, but as these devices get older their reaction time seems to suffer. I always count up to seven, because it's no good to be in a hurry and seven is a good number to count up to. But that is personal preference. After this time release the button. The EV value should now appear in the cut out window surrounded by a plenty of choices for valid aperture and time combinations. As the meter is selenium based chances are the cell has already died. On my copy luckily it's sill alive and works fine. One more Thing: The bit that is stuck in the accessory shoe of your vito is actually the footplate of the meter. It was attached to the meter by two little screws that went into the metal spring on it's bottom.
I have a nice little one with the same lens and shutter. However it is arranged differently with no EV numbers and the aperture ring being the smallest ring at the very front. Not easy to change especially if you are trying to use a filter let alone a hood. All works fine except the self timer and I don't know if it would be worth it getting that fixed,
Peter, you were my tutor on colour printing at Charlecotte ...Barking tec 744/745 course..... I have just started to use my RZ's RB & sinar again which is how I came across your channel..... film huh! who would have thought......
Yo ! pleased you found me -- have a look at some more of my Videos ! I still go to Brentwood & District Photo Club so if you are anywhere near SHENFIELD on a Friday evening pop into Friends Meeting House and I'll buy you a coffee or tea at half time !
Would you risk dropping a few drops of naphtha/lighter fluid into various openings of the shutter? That often helps tremendously on old stiffened lubricant and specs of dirt that have become lodged in the shutter. I say “risk” because there is a small risk of getting naphtha into the lens and dirtying it up from the inside. So if you do try, start with single drops.
I have a vitomatic 2a with sticky shutter. I could not find someone who explains how to disassemble a part of the lens to clean the shutter blades. Too bad because the camera is like new with accurate range finder.
Fujimichel Hi from Madrid, I got both, Marvelous cameras! My Vito B was sticky, it was easy disassembly, and cleaned with spray for electric contact, you must search for Vitomatic in you tube, Mine works well today, but if fail, y will got the screw and proceed! Pics from this cameras are perfect! Yours only need to clean old oil in shutter, it is easy to clean, but you need see pics of disassembly, and mark the original position of lens before turn to the left...
I have literally (today) been sent one by a friend. It has the same shutter and lens as yours. But, it may be an older model, as it doesn't have the 'diamond' mechanism to link the shutter speeds and apertures. The distance dial is very 'notchy' on mine. Your info on setting the film numbers was very helpful. but can you advise on how to load the fim so it's ready to wind on? BTW, Camera-wiki says it's a bad idea to use the timer (V) setting, as it can cause the camera to stop working due to old age.
If you follow this link there's quite a detailed discussion of the wind on / shutter problem your Vito B has. www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6900/4846.html?1121174028
Hi @urbanimage, I have the same issue above and I was trying to follow your link. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to link to the material you mentioned (4 years I suppose). Do you by any chance know where I can find the tutorial?
@@Readbetweenthelines1 I think they re-organised the site. I just did a search there, and it does return quite a few threads on the Vito B problem. So it might be worth having another look there.
![เป็นไปได้ไหม - WanMai [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_6lZ6b3_7Vo/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how this camera forced you to see the final image in your head vs through the lens.
I managed to take off the top plate and investigate -- I used a minute amount of sewing machine oil in the levers and got shutter to work correctly !
AWESOME congrats
It's a gem,Peter, a lot like you.
Hi Peter thanks for your videos My first camera when I was 21 years old wos a Vito C (no telemeter no fotometer) then I learn photography very well doing all manualy I remember it very lovely -Best regards from ARGENTINA
Another excellent and informative video, Peter. I'm sure I have one of these cameras gathering dust somewhere but you've inspired me to dig it out and take some snaps. Thank you for uploading. Atb. 👍
Looking at the cases photography equipment came in, it's surprising we ever got round to taking the shot. Nowadays most film users carry the camera "naked", but that was very much the exception.
I have the Vito BL which is the same camera basically but has a light meter and a larger viewfinder. Great camera. The light meter seems to be the same as you have but yours is detached. Press the button, the meter wheel spins and stops at the EV number which is then placed on the camera. Kind of like a mini roulette wheel. Mine works perfectly, even after all these years. There are a lot of great things about the camera. First is the incredible quality of fit and finish. In my mind equal to Zeiss and Leica. The Color Skopar lens is a four element Tessar type lens. Very very sharp!. The camera is also very small. Not quite the size of a Rollei 35 but still very pocketable. Finally, it has one of the best viewfinders around. On my version, the finder is a huge 100% finder. You can shoot with both eyes open to follow the action with one eye and shoot with the other. Very cool and useful. The only down side to my camera is that it was made for European market, so the distance scale is in meters only. There is much to be said for the practicality of the Standard American English (SAE) measurement system as opposed to the Metric system. Very easy to guess a distance of 5 feet for the distance. Look down, it is just 5 paces of your feet. Hard to guess 1.6 meters. It is not a real world measurement. Still a wonderful camera.
I just got same camera with same stuck shutter problem...i dabbed some lighter fluid on the shutter and that loosened it up and now it works. Though in my case the problem that yours has with the crank taking the pic I dont have that issue. But for any stuck shutter always dab some light fluid witha qtip and that will fix it. Repeat as needed until smooth.
My grandad gave me his Vitoret R as my first camera, unfortunately it also has a shutter issue. It seems to stick on the shutter speeds faster than 1/60th of a second. I would love to fix it some day.
Amazing camera, thanks for the video. Build quality is exceptional, it is surprisingly heavy for it's size. Love the little details like the pin at the front under the lens so you can put the camera on a flat surface and it doesn't tip forward. Was lucky enough to pick one up in vgc, they have good optics. I got the lens hood but I didn't get a meter. Instead mine came with the Voigtlander cold shoe range finder. Although you don't really need it due to the zone focusing symbols on the lens, the little circle and diamond on the focusing scale. You can get a manual for this camera on-line. Your shutter is fine, it's probably the linkage causing the problem. Think this is all on top of the camera body so pop off the top and have a look. Probably only needs a little of your sewing machine oil to get it all working again. Again there are instructions for this on-line.
Andrew -- can you give me a 'Link' where are the instructions for taking off the top plate There is ONE screw inside at top of cassette chamber and one in the accessory shoe .
Hi Peter, that sounds right. This link gives some advice, www.flickr.com/groups/74213216@N00/discuss/72157614338514426/
I'm happy to hear that no (stuffed} animals were harmed in the making of this video!...:) Cheers Peter!
Hi Peter, great video again and a lovely little camera indeed. And the little BEWI is one of my most loved lightmeters of all time. Rarely they come in smarter and smaller packages. The meter works similar to the ones build into the minox b subminiture cameras ( I had a special about them some months ago on my channel - but they all ar in German so not of much use for the international audience ;-) ) The way the meter works (if it does) is quite simple: As usual point the meter in the direction you want to take a reading of and press the button. Keep it pressed for 3 seconds. The manual usually tells you to press for only one second, but as these devices get older their reaction time seems to suffer. I always count up to seven, because it's no good to be in a hurry and seven is a good number to count up to. But that is personal preference. After this time release the button. The EV value should now appear in the cut out window surrounded by a plenty of choices for valid aperture and time combinations. As the meter is selenium based chances are the cell has already died. On my copy luckily it's sill alive and works fine. One more Thing: The bit that is stuck in the accessory shoe of your vito is actually the footplate of the meter. It was attached to the meter by two little screws that went into the metal spring on it's bottom.
Nice video and nice to see you back again .
Trying delay mechanism after 60 years may result in blockage. That is what i was told by serviceman. One should clean/oil camera first. :)
A very smart looking camera, Peter - with familiarity, I think you’d get some lovely shots from that. Lovely build on that, eh?!
I have a nice little one with the same lens and shutter. However it is arranged differently with no EV numbers and the aperture ring being the smallest ring at the very front. Not easy to change especially if you are trying to use a filter let alone a hood. All works fine except the self timer and I don't know if it would be worth it getting that fixed,
Peter, you were my tutor on colour printing at Charlecotte ...Barking tec 744/745 course..... I have just started to use my RZ's RB & sinar again which is how I came across your channel..... film huh! who would have thought......
Yo ! pleased you found me -- have a look at some more of my Videos ! I still go to Brentwood & District Photo Club so if you are anywhere near SHENFIELD on a Friday evening pop into Friends Meeting House and I'll buy you a coffee or tea at half time !
Would you risk dropping a few drops of naphtha/lighter fluid into various openings of the shutter?
That often helps tremendously on old stiffened lubricant and specs of dirt that have become lodged in the shutter.
I say “risk” because there is a small risk of getting naphtha into the lens and dirtying it up from the inside.
So if you do try, start with single drops.
Helge Frisenette You must disassemble lens, then clean with spray for electric contacts. Yesterday i clean my vito b.
I have a vitomatic 2a with sticky shutter. I could not find someone who explains how to disassemble a part of the lens to clean the shutter blades. Too bad because the camera is like new with accurate range finder.
Fujimichel Hi from Madrid, I got both, Marvelous cameras! My Vito B was sticky, it was easy disassembly, and cleaned with spray for electric contact, you must search for Vitomatic in you tube, Mine works well today, but if fail, y will got the screw and proceed! Pics from this cameras are perfect! Yours only need to clean old oil in shutter, it is easy to clean, but you need see pics of disassembly, and mark the original position of lens before turn to the left...
Thanks for the vid. Iv got a faulty one at home. This helped.
The button to take the pictures is sticking can anyone help
Awesome Peter thanks for this, I'm watching a few online at the moment pretty cheap so far. Shame about the shutter button issue. Liked and subbed.
I have literally (today) been sent one by a friend. It has the same shutter and lens as yours. But, it may be an older model, as it doesn't have the 'diamond' mechanism to link the shutter speeds and apertures. The distance dial is very 'notchy' on mine.
Your info on setting the film numbers was very helpful. but can you advise on how to load the fim so it's ready to wind on? BTW, Camera-wiki says it's a bad idea to use the timer (V) setting, as it can cause the camera to stop working due to old age.
I’m new to film and I have this camera can I use regular Kodak film in it
YES of course -- ANY make 35mm film can be used !
Could be interesting as an exercise to use a camera that activates the shutter whenever you wind the camera while shooting street photography.
Yes -- that is what I have to do with that 'Shutter Fault'
I have one exactly like that but With a coupled rangefinder
If you follow this link there's quite a detailed discussion of the wind on / shutter problem your Vito B has.
www.rangefinderforum.com/classics/forum/messages/6900/4846.html?1121174028
Hi @urbanimage, I have the same issue above and I was trying to follow your link. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to link to the material you mentioned (4 years I suppose). Do you by any chance know where I can find the tutorial?
@@Readbetweenthelines1 I think they re-organised the site. I just did a search there, and it does return quite a few threads on the Vito B problem. So it might be worth having another look there.
I have a Vito BR which I am trying to get rid of
Well, if you are just trying to get rid of it, just send it to me.😎 I’ll pay the shipping.
@@Frisenette I was thinking of donating it to Peter if he wanted it.
Socrates worthy cause! Do it.
I’m sure Peter will make excellent use of it.
Mam na zbyciu jeżeli ktoś jest zainteresowany.
Well...
would have been nice, if you prepared yourself for this video before stating all of your interesting guesswork...