Voigtlaender Vitessa III L

[richard_srienz]

Last weekend I got a Voigtlaender Vitessa III L 35mm folder camera.

This is the rangefinder camera with the strange "Combi Plunger" to

advance the film and to cock the shutter. The camera I got is in

perfect condition and works flawless. But I have no manual. And

everytime I close the camera - you have to press the "Combi Plunger"

first and to close the front door then - I loose a frame because the

film is advanced. If I open the camera, I have to press the "Combi

Plunger" again to cock the shutter - but this time the film is

advanced again also. I think I can work around this if I press the

rewind unlock button, but maybe someone has an idea and knows this

wonderful little rangefinder camera...

[colin carron]

Richard,

 

I am not an expert but I thought when putting the camera away you had to close the barn-doors first then gently push the plunger down to its locked position. A common fault apparently is that the plunger eventually stops wanting to stay down.

[richard_srienz]

Thank you for your information, Colin. I have no problem to bring the plunger down and it stays there also. But it's the same if I close the barn-door first or if I push the plunger down first. The film is advanced. And if I open the camera again, I have to cock the shutter to shoot, and this means I have to push the plunger down - and so the film is advanced again. This camera is excellent build with a perfect fit & finish, but very tricky ...

[richard_srienz]

You were right, Colin. The camera is not working correct. I just got the information from a German repairman. The plunger should not advance the film when the barn-doors are closed!