Voigtlander VITO Automatic Camera Instructions

Voigtlander VITO Automatic Camera

Product Information: VITO automatic Camera

The VITO automatic camera is an optical and mechanical precision instrument that is easy to use and provides perfectly exposed shots. It has a distance scale with a milled setting ring, a film speed scale for DIN and ASA ratings with milled setting rings, a honeycomb window of exposure meter cell, a film type indicator in the rewind knob, a threaded socket for cable release or self-timer, a flash socket, an aperture scale for flash shots at 1/ second, a B-setting for long time exposures at full aperture, a tripod bush, and a film counter with a milled setting button. The camera has a brilliant frame in the viewfinder that outlines everything that will be captured on the film.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Open the four folded pages of the user manual to the top and bottom for clear and labeled illustrations.
2. Set the film speed in ASA or DIN when loading the film.
3. Estimate the distance in feet between the camera and the subject and set this distance on the camera by turning the scale (1).
4. For portraits, groups, or views, set one of the three red marks on the scale (1) opposite the black triangle according to the subject in front of the camera.
5. Set the control ring (5) to AUTO.
6. Look through the viewfinder and watch the exposure indicator above the brilliant frame. If the field is GREEN, press the release to take the picture.
7. If the field turns partly RED, the available light is no longer adequate for a correctly exposed shot. You can still take a picture after all and risk a certain degree of underexposure. If the field is completely RED, no acceptable picture is possible.
8. To take a picture, the shutter must always be tensioned. Pull the rapid winding lever (21) fully to the right to advance the film and the film counter.

When reading this booklet open up the four folded pages to the top and bottom. The clearly labelled illustrations will show you exactly what is what. The refer­ence numbers occur 1n brackets ( ) throughout the text.

Dear Amateur,
Don’t be afraid that we shall worry you in this little booklet on the “VITO automatic” with technicalities of photography. There is  need far that. Just a few wards are enough to make you familiar with the camera, and to tell you haw quickly and simply you can get perfectly exposed shots – even if you hove never taken a picture before.

One more point right at the start: the “VITO auto­matic” is a very robust camera, but nevertheless an optical and mechanical precision instrument. Sa handle it gently and sensibly – and you will be sure of perfect pictures far many years to came.
VOIGTLANDER A. G. BRAUNSCHWEIG

VITO automatic

1. Distance scale with milled setting ring
2. Film speed scale far DIN ratings with milled setting ring
3. Lacking key for adjustment of the film speed setting ring
4. Back lack
5. Control ring set to   AUTO’
6. Release
7. Honeycomb window of exposure meter cell
8. Film type indicator in rewind knob
9. Film speed scale far ASA ratings with milled setting ring
10. Threaded socket for cable release or self-timer
11. Flash socket
12. Aperture scale for flash shots at 1/” second
13. B-setting for long time exposures at full aperture
14. Tripod bush
15. Film counter with milled setting button

View Th rough the Finder • – and Shoot …

… that is all you have to do to take pictures with the “VITO automatic”.
Look through the finder, and shoot – after you have set the film speed in ASA or DIN (that you do when you load the film). The camera automatically looks after the correct exposure far your pictures. However, there is one small matter which even the best automatic system cannot do for you: setting the distance. So before shooting you simply estimate the distance in feet between the camera and the subject, and set this distance on the camera by turning the scale (1).
If you are not very good at guessing, or for action shots, you only have to set one of the three red marks on the scale (1) opposite the black triangle •• according to the subject in front of the camere:

… and Now Shoot
The control ring (5) must be set to “AUTO”. Then just look through the finder and watch the exposure indicator above the brilliant frame: if the field is “GREEN”, press the release to take the picture.
Note: If the field turns partly “RED”, the available light is no longer adequate for a correctly exposed shot. However, as the release is deliberately left unblocked, you are still free to decide whether you want to take o picture after all and risk a certain degree of underexposure. If the field is completely “RED”, no acceptable picture is possible.
To take a picture the shutter must always be tensioned. So pull the rapid winding lever (21) fully ta the right. This at the same time advances the film and the film counter.

The Brilliant Frame

In the viewfinder clearly and accurately outlines everything you get on the film. The field within  the bright reflected frame also shows the subject in natural size, so that you can keep both eyes open while viewing. Thus you have a clear view also over the sur­ rounding’s of the subject.
The dot indicates the center “of the subject field. With near views at about 31/, feet the limits al the field of view are displaced downwards or sideways, according ta whether you hold the camera horizontally or upright. It is shown by the two short nest on the brilliant image frame.

VITO automatic
Now that you know how beautifully easy picture taking is with the “VITO automatic”, we shall show you how to load and unload the film.
Further, you can also read more about the scope of your camera and about accessories available for it.

Setting the Film Speed

Make it a rule to set the film speed on the shutter (in ASA or DIN, as marked on the film packing) before loading a film cassette into the camera. Correct exposures depend on this setting.
The scales for the ASA and DIN ratings are on the ring (9) or (2). To set the speed, press the small key (3) and at the same time rotate the large milled ring, to bring the red dot on this ring opposite the ASA or DIN figure corresponding to the film loaded.

The speed ratings far color reversal film apply ta bright sunny weather. In dull weather and far subjects of law contrast color reversal film has a lower effective speed. So carefully note the instructions enclosed with every. color reversal film. If these instructions give no specific recommendations and you are shooting with an overcast sky, set the scale (9) or (2) to a speed two divisions lower than indicated an the film packing. In very dull weather use a setting three to five divisions lower. In very bright sunlight – especially in high mountains and at the sea side – set the film speed two to three divisions higher.
Note: These corrections apply only to color reversal films for making color slides. Black-and-white and color negative films need no correction.

Inserting the Film Cassette

Press together the locking catches (4) and open the camera back.
Push the film reversing lever (20) to the left. The rewind knob (19) springs up; pull it out fully (see Fig. Ill).
Ancho the beginning of the film into the hook (23). Draw the cossetted across the film track and insert it into the cassette chamber. Now turn the milled ring at the bottom of the take-up spool until two teeth of the film sprocket engage two film perforations (22) and fully push back the film rewind knob (see Fig. IV). Then close the camera back.
You can load with any make of perforated 35-mm. film on the market. The usual daylight cassettes yield 36 or 20 exposures 36x24mm. – in black-and­
white or in color.
The cassettes are light-tight. Nevertheless, do not expose them to strong light. Above all always load and unload the camera in the shade – even the shadow of your awn body will do.

Setting the Film Counter

Turn the milled button (15) until the mark ♦ (o) – for a 36-exposure cassette – or the mark 0 (c) – for a 20-exposure cassette – is opposite the red dot. Then alternately work the rapid winding lever and the release until the film counter indicates No. 36 (b) or 20 (d) respectively.
The film counter now automatically shows the number of frames still available every time you advance the film. It thus runs backwards towards No. 1.

The Film Type Indicator (8)

is only intended as a memory aid lo remind you of the type of film you have loaded. It does not affect the exposure in any way. Set the film indicator before loading the film (with the rewind knob fully extended) by turning the disc as follows:

Unloading the Film
Push the reversing lever (20) to the left. This extends the rewind knob (19). Now turn this knob in the direction of the arrow until the ♦ or 0 mark reappears in the window of the film counter (15). Then open the camera back, fully pull out the rewind knob, and remove the cassette.

Changing Partly Exposed Films

With the “VITO automatic” you con always unload a portly exposed film in the middle and change it for another one (for example to change from blocked- white to color film).
Note the number of the lost exposed frame (write it down, if possible), and rewind the portly exposed film into its cassette as described above. When reloading this film later on, proceed as already indicated up to the point of setting the film counter to the ♦ or 0 mark. Then press the release, let go, press down again and keep it pressed down. Keep on pulling out the rapid winding lever as far as it will go until the film counter- S’ the number of the frame you noted before. Now let go off the release, work the rapid winder once more, and you can carry on shooting.

Shutter Speeds
The camera works at a fixed shutter speed at every film speed setting:

With the control ring set to • AUTO• you therefore always shoot at the shutter speed corresponding lo the ASA er DIN speed of your film. Intermediate ASA or DIN settings yield intermediate shutter speeds.
Keep in mind that fixed relationship between the shutter speed and film speed setting, especially when you want ta take fast moving subjects (for example sports shots). In such cases it is therefore best lo use a fast film.

Time exposures. When you set the control ring ta the green letter B (13), the automa­tic control system is disengaged. On press­ing the release, the shutter opens and remains open as long as you keep the release depressed. The lens then always works at its full aperture (f/2.8).

For such long time exposures you must mount the camera on a firm support (tripod, table, etc.) and expose with cable release, this screws into the threaded socket below the release.

Flash Shots

Are not only suitable for evenings at home and for really live shots and parties and other festive occasions, but also provide attractive sunlight effects with outdoor portraits on dull days. When shooting against the light, fill-in flash con also illuminate deep shadows.
For flash shots turn the control ring to the red flash range (12). This again disengages the automatic control system, but the shutter is new set to 1/so second with any if the red aperture figures. This is suitable far synchronizing all flash bulbs and electronic flash units on the market.
Mount the flash gun in the accessory shoe on the top of the camera and plug the flash cable farm the gun into the socket (11). The flash bulb packing usually gives exposure data far the correct aperture in the farm of so-called guide numbers. The correct aperture is obtained by dividing the appropriate guide number by the distance from the flash lo the subject.
In brief: aperture = guide number : distance.

Useful and Handy Accessories

• The lens hood not only cuts out stray side light (which can give rise to reflections and reduced brilliance) but also protects your precious lens against roan and snow.
• Naturally you can alas use filters with your “VITO automatic”. A well-graded selection of Voigtlander filters is available far black-and-white and color films.
• If you find estimating distances difficult, the accessory Voigtlander range­finder does the job far you.
• Voigtlander also make a flash gun. With this you can take fascinating .shots indoors, in dull light, and even at dusk. The flash gun provides all the light you need far the exposure and helps you capture live and natural scenes.
•  Our special leaflet, “The Complete Art of Picture Shooting”, gives you detailed information on all camera accessories. Your photo dealer will be glad to reserve a copy far you.

Care of the Camera and Lens

Successful results with, and long life of, your valu­able camera largely depend on proper care and correct operation.
So always handle the camera gently and never use force.
Protect the camera against hard knacks, and do not drop it. When you are travelling by car, do not keep the camera in the glove compartment. In the long run the vibration there may harm the photo-electric exposure meter.
Clean the lens only with a soft, fluff less cloth. First carefully dust off coarse particles of grit (or sand at the sea side) with a soft sable brush. Fingermarks and other traces of grease on the lens surface or the finder window can be removed with a piece of cotton wool moistened with pure alcohol or ether. This camera – like other Voigtlander products -is accompanied by a

GUARANTEE CERTIFICATE

Please make sure that your photo dealer fills in and stamps the certificate when you buy the camera. Then you can be sure af free repair and servicing at our works or through our agents in the case of any defect arising within the guaran­tee period laid down by us (see the guarantee certificate).
However, keep this guarantee certificate even after the expiry of the guarantee period. For if you should ever lose your camera, the serial number of the camera and lens noted in the certificate may help you towards recovery.

16. Viewfinder eyepiece
17. Film track
18. Cassette chamber
19. Rewind knob, fully extended
20. Film reversing lever
21. Rapid winding lever for tensioning the shutter and advancing the film
22. 22 Film transport shaft
23. 23 Take-up spool with hook for attaching the film leader
24. Shaft of rewind knob, must engage the cassette spool  Rewind knob, pushed into camera body

… and to show your lovely colour shots you must of course have a Voigtlander projector – fully equal in performance and finish to the Voigtlander cameras.
because the lens is so good

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