Voigtlander Prominent

[elekm]

Ross is correct in saying the cocking lever should be assisted when using 1/500 sec.

Don't push too far -- otherwise you'll engage the self-timer. Not a big deal, but you'll be wondering why the shutter didn't release. Meanwhile, the self-timer will be happily buzzing away. And just when you decide to take a look at the camera, it will release and you'll have a nice out-of-focus shot of your chin!

By the way, here are a couple of photos from the Prominent. The Ultron is really a sweet lens.

[Simplicius]

I am hunting for one of these inside my budget for a while.
I being left handed, left everything, except brained love the Voitlanders ergonomics generally .. I was amazed at the quality of lens even on the wee VITO B with Colour Skopar I have ... Seeing Elekm's pictures with the f-stop attached just made me want a Prominent all the more. !

[tjaded]

I have a Vito B as well, it's actually a really good compact 35mm. I sent it to Carol Flutot for a CLA and it is SUPER smooth and fun to use!

[lens_hacker]

The lenses are the best available from the 1950s. The bodies are not. But they are fun to use, more quirks than a Barnack Leica. It is worth reading the manual. The shutter has two sets of blades, and one set was stuck on mine. A LOT of floof cleaning solved the problem. BUT- the camera worked fine with just the one set of shutter blades operating.

Calibrating the RF can be a pain.

[bighilt]

I have had a Voigtlander Prominent with a 50/3.5 Skopar for a number of years. I use it regularly and absolutely love it. But then I must admit I am left-eye dominant and the quircky focussing works just fine for me.

[bighilt]

Mike, those are absolutely beautiful images!!

[Mark Layne]

Many of Voigtlander's cameras had quirky ergonomics, and the Prominent is among them.

The left-handed focus by knob is a popular Voigtlander feature. And advancing the film when the shutter is set to 1/500 requires a huge amount of effort.

But I think it's best if you handle the camera and come to your own conclusion.

If I recall, there should be a 35mm Skoparex and a 100mm Dynarex. The Voigtlander lenses were quite good.

Let us not forget the f1.5 Nokton
Mark

[outwest]

I guess I lucked out. I got a Prominent I with a 50mm Nokton, a 35 Skoparon, a 150 Super-Dynaron, a 35-100 viewfinder with the 150 mask, the close up lenses and some other stuff for $45. Of course, then I was obligated to find a 100 Dynaron which cost me more than everything else. Then, I got a minty Prominent I Type II with another Nokton and another Skoparon for $95.

[tjaded]

Dang! Where do you shop for cameras???

[bighilt]

Awesome, Outwest! Be sure to post some pictures.