The Voigtländer Perkeo I uses 120 roll film giving 12 exposures in 6 x 6cm format. It shares nothing in common with the 1930s Perkeo but the name, as the earlier camera was for 127 roll film. Despite the ascent of 35mm film use, there were many new cameras still being produced for amateur use in 120 format in the 1950s. In common with the majority of Voigtländer cameras, this is a nicely made instrument although nothing particularly fancy. The positioning of the cable release socket is a tad idiosyncratic, being hidden between the locking strut and hatch. Double exposure prevention is extended to the cable release socket and a small round window reveals an arrow which points forwards if the camera has been advanced or backwards if not. However the shutter must be cocked manually. Voigtländer quality extends to the viewfinder optics, which reside in a sealed box, ensuring they remain largely dust free.

Voigtländer is decidedly unusual in that the company predates the invention of photography by some 90 years, scientific instruments being its business initially in Vienna then Germany from the mid 1800s. Following the year after the first commercially available photographic processes were announced the company developed the first mathematically computed lens, the f/3.7 Petzval, named after the mathematician who did the tricky bit. With such heritage, Voigtländer cameras have tended to exhibit quality in both build and optics.

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Body No. None, Voigtländer aren't big on serials.
Shutter, Prontor S, speeds B, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 60, 100 & 300th
Lens, Vaskar 75mm f/4.5
Condition, 5F

View other 6x6cm folding cameras in this collection.