When my mother was a film student she had two cameras: a cheap Ricoh SLR and a Voigtländer Prominent with a 35mm Skoparon. The Prominent was purchased by my grandfather on a trip to Belize around the 1960s/1970s and for a while was thought to be lost. Last year, when my grandmother passed away, we were looking for some legal documents in her apartment and, I kid you not, I felt like Ali Baba when he encounters the cave full of treasures as soon as I saw the Voigtländer tucked away inside a dusty old drawer. It’s in good need of a CLA (especially because of the slow speeds) but I’m hoping to get it up and running to finally use it myself!
I was happy that I nailed the focus with the Prominent. The rangefinder on these are necessarily the best for critical focusing, but apparently they do just fine when stopped down haha
Voigtlander cameras from the 1950s were cleverly designed and exceptionally well-built. Voigtlander started in the 1800s as an optical instrument company, so the lenses are all excellent - fully usable today. The Prominent versions were not really competitive to the Leica or Contax, the major difference being that the lack of a focal plane shutter. While the speed difference is and was trivial, the leaf shutters imposed limits on the diameter of lens and camera mount which could be used. This in turn limited the range of lens focal lengths and size of lens apertures which could be fitted to the Prominent to 28mm to 135mm (not sure if it had a 28mm). This limitation killed all the high-end leaf shutter RF and SLR cameras by around 1970. A closer competitor for comparison to the Prominent would be the Kodak Retina IIIS, which was also the end of a long series of Kodak leaf shutter, interchangeable lens RF cameras, and equally unknown today. Kodak blessed the IIIS with lenses from 28mm to 200mm (200mm not RF coupled). [That 50mm 1.5 Nokton - the real one from the late 50s and 60s, not the modern lenses so labeled by Cosina today - was considered in its own optical class. Some were also sold in the Leica thread mount. A friend owned one on his old Leica. He was routinely offered up to $1,000 for the lens back in the 1980s. Never sold it. That said, a half century of technical advancements in lens design, new glass and new coatings means that its historical virtues probably go not stand up to many modern RF 50mm lenses.]
Definitely a nice set of photos from this classic old timer. With Voigtlander, the attraction was always lens quality. The ergonomic quirks were a bonus, as was the beautiful outer finish work. Voigtländer prior to 1950, mainly produced medium format folding cameras with fixed single focal length lenses and leaf shutters. The Prominent was a major departure for the company and my guess the camera with interchangeable lenses was target against the original screw mount Leica Barnacks As you mentioned, Leica was getting ready to release the Leica M3. I loved seeing the Kontur in use. Do you have the Turnit viewfinder as well?
Thanks for sharing further background on Voigtlander and the Prominent! Right after shooting with the Kontur finder I actually ended up finding a good deal on a Turnit viewfinder. Going forward I will probably stick with the Turnit, although the Kontor framelines were quite nice in retrospect.
Which lens(es) are you using to record video? I'd wager it's a classic optic, as the seamless transition from video to film scans and back is fantastic. I've never seen something like it before on UA-cam, it really helps sell the "classic camera vibes" aesthetic. Great job :)
Would you ever try some of the russian rangefinders like kiev 4 or zorki 4? Loved the video. I've been following you for a while on ig and always wondered what leica you shoot, only to find your channel recently and realise you shoot cameras you enjoy and get amazing results whatever you use. Videos like this, Rolleiflex and Bessa 1 really helped me to get rid of the gear syndrome and just enjoy the experience. Big respect.
The Kiev 4 would be a great camera to review! I actually have one of those as well. I bought it will visiting Moscow four years ago and took quite a few photos with it while I was there.
Maybe the colors are a bit off because of the lens? It's very old and probably expected to be used with black and white film, so it might not be coated to correct for color film. I don't know.
It should be coated for color film, but I plan on testing the camera with other film stocks to get a more definite answer as to why the trees came out rather yellow
When my mother was a film student she had two cameras: a cheap Ricoh SLR and a Voigtländer Prominent with a 35mm Skoparon.
The Prominent was purchased by my grandfather on a trip to Belize around the 1960s/1970s and for a while was thought to be lost. Last year, when my grandmother passed away, we were looking for some legal documents in her apartment and, I kid you not, I felt like Ali Baba when he encounters the cave full of treasures as soon as I saw the Voigtländer tucked away inside a dusty old drawer.
It’s in good need of a CLA (especially because of the slow speeds) but I’m hoping to get it up and running to finally use it myself!
That's an awesome story to hear. Thanks for sharing! I would be curious to find out who still works on the Prominents
Wow these photos are stunning!! Such a beautiful classic looking camera. Great video :)
Thank you for the comment! I'm stoked that you liked the video
I really liked the photo of the icicle. Nice muted colours
I was happy that I nailed the focus with the Prominent. The rangefinder on these are necessarily the best for critical focusing, but apparently they do just fine when stopped down haha
Images from this camera (photographer!) are really impressive, especially considering the age. Nicely done video… thanks!
Thank you, Mike!
I have a Prominent that I have never used…… but going to get it out right now! Nice pix, and review! Thanks
Great to see the Prominent in use. I recently picked up a Vito II and have been enjoying the process of getting to know it.
That must be a fun camera to use!
That was my first 35mm camera. A good camera.
Voigtlander cameras from the 1950s were cleverly designed and exceptionally well-built. Voigtlander started in the 1800s as an optical instrument company, so the lenses are all excellent - fully usable today. The Prominent versions were not really competitive to the Leica or Contax, the major difference being that the lack of a focal plane shutter. While the speed difference is and was trivial, the leaf shutters imposed limits on the diameter of lens and camera mount which could be used. This in turn limited the range of lens focal lengths and size of lens apertures which could be fitted to the Prominent to 28mm to 135mm (not sure if it had a 28mm). This limitation killed all the high-end leaf shutter RF and SLR cameras by around 1970. A closer competitor for comparison to the Prominent would be the Kodak Retina IIIS, which was also the end of a long series of Kodak leaf shutter, interchangeable lens RF cameras, and equally unknown today. Kodak blessed the IIIS with lenses from 28mm to 200mm (200mm not RF coupled). [That 50mm 1.5 Nokton - the real one from the late 50s and 60s, not the modern lenses so labeled by Cosina today - was considered in its own optical class. Some were also sold in the Leica thread mount. A friend owned one on his old Leica. He was routinely offered up to $1,000 for the lens back in the 1980s. Never sold it. That said, a half century of technical advancements in lens design, new glass and new coatings means that its historical virtues probably go not stand up to many modern RF 50mm lenses.]
Thank you for the thorough insight, Randall! The original M Mount Nokton would be an absolute dream to try.
Definitely a nice set of photos from this classic old timer. With Voigtlander, the attraction was always lens quality. The ergonomic quirks were a bonus, as was the beautiful outer finish work.
Voigtländer prior to 1950, mainly produced medium format folding cameras with fixed single focal length lenses and leaf shutters. The Prominent was a major departure for the company and my guess the camera with interchangeable lenses was target against the original screw mount Leica Barnacks As you mentioned, Leica was getting ready to release the Leica M3.
I loved seeing the Kontur in use. Do you have the Turnit viewfinder as well?
Thanks for sharing further background on Voigtlander and the Prominent! Right after shooting with the Kontur finder I actually ended up finding a good deal on a Turnit viewfinder. Going forward I will probably stick with the Turnit, although the Kontor framelines were quite nice in retrospect.
Which lens(es) are you using to record video? I'd wager it's a classic optic, as the seamless transition from video to film scans and back is fantastic. I've never seen something like it before on UA-cam, it really helps sell the "classic camera vibes" aesthetic. Great job :)
@@Ildskalli I’m glad that you like the look of the video! I’ve been using a newer Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 as well as a cheap Nikon zoom for the 2000s
Would you ever try some of the russian rangefinders like kiev 4 or zorki 4? Loved the video. I've been following you for a while on ig and always wondered what leica you shoot, only to find your channel recently and realise you shoot cameras you enjoy and get amazing results whatever you use. Videos like this, Rolleiflex and Bessa 1 really helped me to get rid of the gear syndrome and just enjoy the experience. Big respect.
The Kiev 4 would be a great camera to review! I actually have one of those as well. I bought it will visiting Moscow four years ago and took quite a few photos with it while I was there.
@@ExpiredBrenKiev video confirmed!
You have to try a Voigtlander Vitomatic II, tiny but heavy like a brick
My first ever camera was actually a very similar model! Little did I know it was only half functional at the time😅
Maybe the colors are a bit off because of the lens? It's very old and probably expected to be used with black and white film, so it might not be coated to correct for color film. I don't know.
It should be coated for color film, but I plan on testing the camera with other film stocks to get a more definite answer as to why the trees came out rather yellow
These lenses,even the prewar ones ,werd always corrected for All colors, otherwise b/w pics were not sharp.
The prom was a great camera.
Zeis contax is German and not Japanese, just a slip of the ongue
The prominent II is wonderful camera but too little too late. I believe The prominent system had nothing wider then 35mm.
I have seen information about a 28mm focal length lens, but it is so scant that it just as well could have never existed.
Voigtlander needs to make a digital leica alternative
It's not Voygtländer, it's Voogtländer.