SUPERB! 1956 Voigtlander Vitessa 35mm rangefinder camera, Freshly Serviced, CLAd!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

This week, we have a beautiful Voigtlander Vitessa produced in circa 1956. This classic camera has an accurate coupled rangefinder that never leaves you guessing about distance or focus and a very high quality lens. Additionally it has a unique rapid film advance plunger on top that extends automatically when the camera is opened. When pushed down, this plunger advances the film and cocks the shutter so that photos can be taken in very rapid succession. In use it’s actually easier and faster to use than a traditional lever because you can keep your eye on the view finder when using it.

Introduced in 1951 as a top quality rangefinder camera, many collectors are familiar with it and many modern photographers still enjoy it’s very high quality finish, it’s compact build, it’s delightful handling characteristics and its very quiet shutter. The build quality is superb and is certainly as good or better as anything produced by Contax or Leica of the same period. It uses normal 35mm film.

It's in exceptionally fine condition. As with all our cameras it’s been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The viewfinder is clear and bright. The rangefinder works smoothly and accurately. The film advance system works flawlessly. The diaphragm and focus adjustments work correctly and smoothly. The uncoupled light meter responds actively and energetically to light, but like all selenium light meters of this era it’s no longer accurate. Fortunately the aperture and shutter speed controls are manual, so you can use your favorite light meter (or light meter app on your smartphone) as usual. 

The top quality Synchro-Compur shutter works smoothly and all shutter speeds (B & 1 sec – 1/500^th) are appropriate. The shutter has a flash sync connector, which allows the use a normal electronic flash at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course very convenient for flash fill.)

The Voigtlander 2.8/50mm Color-Skopar lens looks like new. It’s clean and clear. There are no scratches, no cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing lovely photos on modern color and B&W films.

All in all, a very lovely mid-century classic camera.