Voigtlander
Near mint! VOIGTLANDER PROMINENT, 35mm Rangefinder Camera with f2.0/50mm Ultron lens. Freshly Serviced, CLAd!
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!
The camera in this listing is the famous Voigtlander Prominent, a top of the line 35mm rangefinder camera produced by in Germany between 1953-1957. It accepts interchangeable lenses, uses normal 35mm film and features a coupled rangefinder that makes focusing quick and easy. It’s a real classic and popular with collectors and photographers alike. It featured superb Voigtlander lenses and an exceptionally fine quality fit and finish which was equal to anything from Zeiss-Ikon and Leica. Not surprising, because the Prominent was an expensive camera competing for the same group of affluent buyers.
This classic camera is in superb condition. It’s just been serviced and everything has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The quality Synchro-Compur shutter works smoothly and all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/500th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the fast speeds are clean and snappy. This shutter is flash synchronized and it works with a normal electronic flash. It’s been tested and the flash will fire correctly at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course a very convenient feature for flash fill.) It has a coupled rangefinder which never leaves you wondering about distance or focus. The rangefinder image is easy to see and focusing is smooth and accurate.
The lens is the famous Voigtlander 2.0/50mm Ultron. In the 1950’s the three best rangefinder lenses came from Voigtlander, Zeiss and Leitz. Which one you preferred was a subjective, personal choice but all of them were top performers.
The Ultron lens on this camera is in excellent condition. As usual there is just a touch of oil on the aperture leaves, (which is never an issue on rangefinder cameras because the aperture doesn’t need to move instantly as in an SLR). The lens is beautiful, the glass is clean and clear. There are no scratches, just few light cleaning wisps and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and black & white films.
All and all, a fine lovely freshly serviced classic camera.