Voigtlander prominent 6x9

[Photoyann10]

Hello from France,

I want to restore a nice Voigtlander Prominent 6x9 from the 30's.
2 problems :
 - the bellows needs to be changed. I removed the older one and still have it.
 - the rangefinder is out of focus.

My first idea for the bellows was to use a bellows of another Voigtlander camera of this period (I was thinking to the Inos II 6x9 which is very similar to the Prominent). But a repairman in France told me they were not similar...

About the rangefinder, I removed the small part of metal inside the body (I unscrewed 2 tiny screws) in order to see clearly the mecanism which links the focusing knob to the rangefinder itself. I would appreciate to have some information about how to set this rangefinder properly.

Thank you for your help and sorry if my English is not accurate.

Yannick Michel

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyann10/sets/72157627830066282/with/6216977664/

[radiophoto]

Michel, I can't help with the rangefinder (except to suggest an auxiliary pocket rangefinder), but if you can re-install the original bellows, I could provide you with an item called a "Bel-Jac" (since you're French, let's call it the "Belle-Jacques", hehehe).  See this link for more information, and contact me via personal message here if you're interested in getting one: http://www.f6point3studio.com/page33.html

[Photoyann10]

I didn't know the Bel-Jac...! Unfortunately I completely removed the bellows of my Prominent.
And for the rangefinder, I really would like to restore the camera like it was at the beginning. :rolleyes:

[Julio1fer]

Sandeha Lynch, a member here, used to make very decent bellows for Isolette cameras. Maybe you can contact him about bellows for your stunning Prominent. Old bellows may sometimes be restored by painting with "liquid tape", or by patching from the inside, but it is not a reliable solution.

About the rangefinder, I hope some member with more experience in repair chimes in. In the meantime, if the rangefinder patch moves when you turn the wheel, I'd look for ways to loosen the knob. If you can loose the knob then it might just be very easy: get the bellows back or a dark tube on,  strap some paper in the film gate, get an infinity image in focus, and set the knob accordingly.

It is an outstanding camera, best of luck with your restoration project!

[LarryD]

I think Dean may be the RF adjustment guy.

[Pete Hobbis]

I got a replacement for the bellows on my Kershaw Raven from these people in the UK:

http://www.custombellows.co.uk/products.html

(to whom I have no connection, etc.) I forget what I paid, but it wasn't ridiculous. The job was a little non-standard, because the bellows had a metal plate folded into it at one end. They didn't fit the bellows into the camera; I had to do that; fiddly but hardly difficult. The camera looks a lot better without insulating tape.

[Photoyann10]

Who is Dean Larry ?

Camerabellows could be a good address yes.

Yannick

[radiophoto]

Look for a fellow member here, Dean Williams.  He's the Dean that Larry mentioned, and you can find him under that name in the member listing.