Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer Vitessa 500 AE 35mm compact camera
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1966
The Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer Vitessa 500 AE is a classic 35mm compact viewfinder camera, first introduced in 1966. Although the branding reflects the corporate mergers between Zeiss Ikon and Voigtländer at the time, the unit was designed and manufactured at the Voigtländer works in Braunschweig, West Germany.
The camera is equipped with a fixed Color-Lanthar 42mm f/2.8 lens and utilizes a Prontor 500 electronic shutter. Its electronic control system is powered by a front-mounted CdS photocell, allowing for automated exposure operations. This compact device features a distinctive viewfinder arrangement and was originally supplied with a protective leather case. Measuring approximately 4.25 inches in width, the camera presents a design typical of mid-1960s German precision engineering.
The construction highlights the collaborative era of these iconic German photography manufacturers, combining optical quality with electronic innovation for the portable 35mm format. The unit is recognized for its compact build and functional manual controls, serving as a notable example of 20th-century camera development.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Width
- 4.25 inches
- Accessories
- leather case
Technical characteristics
- Lens
- Color-Lanthar 42mm f/2.8
- Format
- 35mm
- Shutter
- Prontor 500 electronic
- Exposure control
- CdS photocell
Design
- Inscriptions
- Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer, Color-Lanthar 2.8/42, Prontor 500 electronic
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Voigtländer
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.