Voigtländer Prominent with 2/50 Ultron
As far as I know the Prominent was the first German 35 mm rangefinder camera with leaf shutter and interchangeable lenses. It was introduced in 1950, certainly as a competitor to the Leica and Contax cameras, and I think, the Voigtländer 1.5/50 Nokton lens, which was introduced along with the Prominent, aimed at the Zeiss 1.5/50 Sonnar. Some manufacturers followed with cameras like Diax IIa, Akarex III and Super Paxette II, but today we know that designs with a leaf shutter for interchangeable lenses weren't very successful in 35 mmm world - so the Prominent, only 23,000 were made until 1957 and in 1960 the production ended.
The Prominent obtained several improvements in its life, like a film advance lever or the big viewfinder, characteristic for Voigtländer cameras of the late fifties and sixties. The camera above is an older one, probably from the second generation. The first Prominents were provided with a Compur-Rapid shutter, this one has already a Synchro-Compur, but it has no accessory shoe and no strap-lugs. At its bottom it has two points acting as stands and a film reminder. And it has a feature I have never seen on another camera: there is a small eyelet for attaching a customs seal.
In my opinion the built-quality is not as good as of the later Voigtländers, especially the finish hasn't reached their high level. Yes, the design is very rigid, but it is just straightforward and not elegant. And, mmh, the bottom plate is very thin: it came off, because a screw was pulled through its screwhole.
Most comments about the Prominent are beginning with their ergonomics, they are crappy or at least awkward - and yes, eccentric maybe the suitable word. You have everything you need, but the controls are somehow at the wrong place. The best idea is to grab the camera like a child, tightly with both hands, so you can turn the two wheels on top with index fingers and thumbs.
About the Ultron lens: in my opinion it is a milestone in lens design. It is based on a symmetrical Gauss design with 6 elements in 4 groups, but A. W. Tronnier resolved one group and the 6/5 design was born. It was a successful example for many other lens manufacturers.
BTW, you can purchase adapters, to use those Ultrons and Noktons on a Leica M (expensive, because you need a helicoid) or Contax.
Another thing: when you press the lens release button on the lens, you can turn the lens in the bayonet mount completely around, there is no stop.
The f-stop ring of my Ultron has no click-stops. Surprizingly I found grooves for click-stops inside the ring, when I removed it, but actually there is no counterpart, e.g. like a hole with spring and ball in it.
It has 15 aperture blades and the water blue coating is just cool.
Some hints on operation: the small button on the back is for releasing the film advance lock. It is intended to wind forward a partially exposed film without releasing the shutter.
The Prominent has a self-timer, but it is hidden very well. If you turn the film advance wheel the cocking lever on the shutter is moved automatically to a red dot. If you want delayed action, you just pull the cocking lever a bit further.
So, the Prominent is full of surprizes and I'll tell you about another, very unique one: it has a second full set of shutter blades. The aperture blades are in the lens barrel already, so there is space in the shutter for this second set instead. In the manual is written, that it is "absolutely light proof". This second shutter only opens, when the shutter button is pressed. You may have the idea to release the shutter with your fingernail at the small lever behind the speed ring - this will work, but the picture won't be exposed, because the second shutter won't open then. You can observe the second shutter from the back, when the camera is opened.
Other nice things: instead of a rewind crank the Prominent has a pop-up key. Neat. The tripod bush has a 3/8" thread, a 1/4" adapter is supplied standardly - not only for the camera body, but also for the leather case!
