This is the second of my recent acquisitions which together make me feel I can stop looking as I have exactly the core camera set I want to use (well almost). I already posted about the Prominent this is another from Voigtländer (of course) and it is a Twin Lens Reflex.
This has everything you could ever want from a TLR in a well designed package.
- Good viewfinder? Yep
- Great lens? You got it
- Lever based winder? Indeed
- Spirit level? Of course
- Parallax correction? Oh yes
- Frame counter? Certainly
See what I mean?
This model was first released in 1933 and I think this actual example was a little later in the run so probably around 1936. The obvious difference with the Superb compared with it’s other TLR rivals is that the film moves horizontally through the camera (right to left) and is wound by a lever on the left hand side (it takes approx 6 operations to move one frame).
Also rather than relying on a red window to see the film count the camera has a mechanical counter.
And that parallax correction? the viewing lens is on a tapered helix which when turned causes the lens to tilt downwards as you focus close up to maintain the correct view in the finder; amazing!
I am constantly surprised by the innovation that Voigtländer made; the most important of which being the first zoom lens (for 35mm cameras).
The technical bit
Make | Model | Film/format | Year | Lens | Shutter | Aperture |
Voigtländer | Superb | 120 TLR | c1936 | 75mm 1:3.5 | B, 1, ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and 1/250 | F3.5-32 |
Being an old camera it is not perfect almost everything so far works great, it is scratched and scuffed through years of use and the focus is stiff (I have nothing to compare with so that may be normal). The mechanical frame counter is a little clunky and getting it to reset takes a little encouragement. A full CLA is probably advised but I’m going to wait and see whether I can resolve the one issue myself before I look seriously into that.
Using it
As the manual states;
“All your Attention On The Picture!” “That is the basic idea which has been fully developed and expressed in the ‘Superb’. One movement follows another in easy rhythm – you cannot forget anything and not a single awkward movement distracts your attention from the pictorial composition of the picture. All you have to do is acquaint yourself with the new camera in such a way that it becomes a familiar instrument in your hands”
Wise words indeed and once you are acquainted with the camera using it is as easy as anything. They designed it to be used from looking down so that the shutter speed is visible from above (via a small prism) left thumb operates the shutter cocking, right finger operates the focus, right thumb operates the aperture and the shutter firing.
There is another great line in the manual; “The fascinating moment which you wish to preserve for ever in a photo disappears as quickly as it comes; you must be prepared . It is not enough for you to know what this lever or that knob does, you must learn to handle your camera as instinctively as the pianist find his notes”
I think I will adopt this as my tagline from now on.
Results from the first film were encouraging in that exposure looked about right and focus was okay too. But a light leak had caused a flair on most of the shots and the fascinating moments that I wished to preserve were poorly preserved.
So I cut some strips of photographic foam and stuck them all around the grooves of the rear doors and ran another film through…
Closing the back is very tight now and takes a little effort but that will hopefully ease as the foam gets compressed.
The results are slightly better but light is still leaking in somewhere on some images; I am going to have to have another look at this (maybe I will have to send it for a CLA after all). Hoping I can resolve this as I love the camera itself.
July 23, 2018 at 8:01 pm
I’ve been looking for a Superb myself, just can’t seem to find one in decent shape. I love that idea of the reversed shutter speeds. Makes so much sense.
I seem to have a penchant for quirky TLRs… just picked up a Welta Superfekta. It’s a weird 6×9 beast, but the lens is stunning.
BTW, if you are considering a CLA for your Superb, I can recommend Marek over at General Camera in Pasadena. He’s done some great repair work for me on a variety of vintage cameras.
http://www.generalcamera.net/services.html
John Free originally recommended him to me, and I’ve never been disappointed.
Cheers,
James
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July 23, 2018 at 9:30 pm
Okay so first thing James; you know John Free? Would love to meet him, keep considering joining one of his workshops.
Yes I am happy for finding this at the price I paid, it is not great condition but it is all there and operational; if I can just solve this light leak. I am having another go via DIY and then I will talk to your guy over in Pasadena – good to know there is a reliable repair guy locally anyway so thanks for that recommendation.
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July 23, 2018 at 10:04 pm
A couple of years ago, when I started getting back into film photography, and more specifically street photography, I watched John’s YouTube videos. His philosophy really resonated with me. I contacted him through his website and hired him for a one-on-one day to shoot together in downtown LA. Needless to say, it was an incredible experience. It was because of John that I became enamored of the Nikon F3HP. To this day, it’s my favorite 35mm camera… and because I wear glasses, I really appreciate the HP viewfinder. (Another reason why I’ve abandoned Leicas.) I’m going to be returning home to Toluca Lake in a couple of weeks, and (once the weather cools off — toward the end of the year!) I’ll probably hire John again for a day to get a “booster shot”. He’s very experienced, very passionate, very real, and even just an hour with him is worth a month in any film course. There aren’t too many of his kind left, and they’re such a precious resource…
Marek at General Camera does great work. I’ve thrown some bizarro cameras at him and he’s always come through. I’ve just purchased an Aero Ektar lens and want to use it on my Speed Graphic 4×5. But I can’t bear the thought of recalibrating the rangefinder myself — the online instructions seem as complicated as landing a 747. So I’ll probably take it to Marek. He’s so experienced… another example of a valuable (dwindling) resource we should take advantage of as much as we can.
Cheers,
James
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July 23, 2018 at 10:17 pm
I’m very envious, I’m sure it was just as an amazing time as you say. I must take another look at his site and see if he has any group sessions coming up.
I think this Superb is the kind of camera that deserves an investment in to get it working perfectly. Maybe the proceeds of a Couple of recent camera sales will be reinvested.
Thanks
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July 24, 2018 at 9:56 am
James, I didn’t know what a Welta Superfekta was last night and I just did some googling… That thing looks amazing! What a crazy design and it rotates between portrait and landscape! Is your’s ready to shoot with?
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July 24, 2018 at 10:00 am
Actually, forget that last question, I see on your flickr there are some test images. I agree, that lens is gorgeous.
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January 16, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Hi James, not sure if you are still looking for a Superb but I saw this on Etsy…
https://www.etsy.com/listing/625742544/voigtlander-superb-cased-vintage-tlr?ref=user_profile&sca=1
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July 24, 2018 at 4:37 am
What an odd and interesting camera! A TLR with horizontal film loading! I hope you’ll get it CLAd — that lens looks like it could well be a gem.
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July 24, 2018 at 8:36 am
I think you are right Jim, it deserves better than mu tinkering 🙂
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July 24, 2018 at 9:29 pm
Yes, it’s definitely shootable. I brought it with me to Toronto, and had it CLA’d here. I ran a roll of Velvia through it just to really test the shutter accuracy, and it’s all good. I was quite amazed at the sharpness of the lens, although there is a bit of corner fall off… which seems to more of a film pressure plate issue. Might have Marek give it a look when I get back home. I also picked up the 6×6 version, which is called the Welta Perfekta (no “Super” prefix). The rotating back is especially cool. When rotated, there are top and bottom crop lines that spring into place for accurate framing. Sometimes I think the past tech was more advanced than the present. 🤗
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July 24, 2018 at 10:09 pm
There was definitely more engineering ingenuity and perhaps risk taking? I suppose it could be said that there was more opportunity for firsts back then.
I have a Burke and James large format and that has a rotating back too.
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July 24, 2018 at 9:32 pm
BTW, you might want to correct your article headline spelling (Suberb) to enable more potential search hits.
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July 24, 2018 at 10:04 pm
Ugh what a dope I am; how did I get that wrong! Fixed now, thanks for the heads up.
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July 28, 2018 at 8:22 am
BTW, if you’re ever in the market for a vintage camera that’s been properly CLA’d — and you want to avoid rolling the dice with eBay — I’ve been very pleased with the purchases I’ve made from Petrakla. https://www.petrakla.com
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January 16, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Hello from Wiltshire, England. I’ve recently purchased a Superb and have a fair amount of repair to make as the mirror silvering is shot and the aperture leaves are misplaced and out of “round.” Also the rear cemented Tessar type elements are almost opaque! – not too much to sort then!……………… Very recently repaired the iris to “round” – fairly straightforward once you find the helical stop screw cunningly hidden under the focusing tab. Another hidden access is the slot covered by the finder release tab. Two screws and you can slide the focus screen out for cleaning (there is also a screen stop to push to one side). Also purchased a new mirror from the States but still looking for information on access as I do not want to disturb the leather unless absolutely necessary.
It’s a beautifully made quirky beast that I’m very much looking forward to using once it’s back to full function.
If you are doing something similar to your Superb and could do with a little assistance I’m more than willing to assist. Likewise, if you know of any way to replace the mirror without taking the whole top off the camera and disturbing the leather I would really appreciate advice. Pre-War cameras are a breed apart! Regards all, Gary.
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January 16, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Hi Gary, Sounds like an exciting project you have there 🙂
I am afraid I bailed a little and found someone locally (in California) that was recommended to me to do the work. Very pleased with the result but I still have a slight light leak that I am tracing.
He cleaned all the optics and focusing and replaced the mirror – I believe he did have to remove the leather to achieve all that.
Thanks for the tip about removing the focus screen, I am sure that will come in handy at some point.
Not sure if your search for information has found these but I’ll add links here in case it is useful to you.
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/voigtlander-superb-screen-clean.283110/
http://voigtlander.pagesperso-orange.fr/anglais/superbtousA.htm
Also an article about a Superb restoration (in french but with pictures).
mirror and ground glass :
http://www.collection-appareils.fr/p…t=2400&p=23251
Compur Shutter :
http://www.collection-appareils.fr/p…t=2408&p=23452
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January 16, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Good luck, keep me posted on progress and I’d love to see pictures when you are done.
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