Voigtländer Vitessa

John Wade on how one company took a different look at folding cameras

- John Wade

Voigtländer could often be relied upon to tackle traditional camera design in new ways.

Most folding cameras of the 1950s involved dropping down a bed from the body with a lens that self-erected on struts and bellows. Voigtländer improved on that by using an arrangement usually known as barn doors.

Folded, the Vitessa measures 13x7x3cm, small enough to slip into a decent size pocket, although at 700 grams it's a bit hefty. As first pressure is taken on the shutter release, the twin barn doors jump open and the lens leaps forward ready for action. At the same time, a 4.5cm long plunger launches itself from the top plate.