Sometimes you come across a small and simple camera that can easily compete with larger and more expensive models. The underrated Perkeo series from Voigtländer belongs to this category. Anyone looking to get into medium format is in the perfect place with the Perkeo E, the last of the illustrious trio.
First the facts. The Voigtländer Perkeo E is a vintage medium-format folding camera produced by Voigtländer, a renowned German camera manufacturer, primarily in the 1950s. The Perkeo series is known for being compact and portable despite its ability to take larger format images (6×6 cm) on 120 roll film. The Perkeo E model is a specific variant within this series.
Key features of the Voigtländer Perkeo E include:
- Lens: Typically equipped with a Color-Skopar 80mm f/3.5 lens, which is a four-element lens known for delivering sharp and high-quality images.
- Shutter: A Prontor-S or Synchro-Compur shutter, offering a range of shutter speeds and flash synchronization options.
- Exposure: The “E” in Perkeo E signifies that this model has a built-in exposure meter, a useful feature for ensuring accurate exposure settings in various lighting conditions.
- Film format: Uses 120 film, producing 6×6 cm square images, common in medium-format photography.
- Folding design: The camera is foldable, making it compact for a medium-format device, which was a desirable trait for photographers looking for portability.
The Perkeo series is prized by collectors and photography enthusiasts for its solid build, quality optics, and ability to produce high-resolution medium-format negatives.
The Voigtländer Perkeo E (1954) is a well-regarded medium-format folding camera that has gained recognition for its compact design, simplicity, and excellent performance, especially considering its size. Here is a general review based on the strengths and weaknesses of the camera. First it really one of the most Compact and Portable medium formats folders. You cannot feel any weight and you can easily put in a small bag, even as a second camera. Oh boy, and then the optics. It has one of the best quality lenses from its era. Equipped with the Color-Skopar 80mm f/3.5 lens, the camera produces sharp, high-quality images with good color rendition. The lens is well-regarded for its clarity and ability to deliver detailed results, which is important in medium-format photography. The camera shoots in the popular 6×6 cm square images format on still available on 120 roll film, which results in high-resolution negatives or slides that capture much more detail than 35mm film. The large negative size is a big advantage for those seeking quality over quantity.
The Voigtlander Perkeo E is relatively simple to use, making it suitable for photographers new to medium-format cameras. The controls are straightforward, and the compact design doesn’t overwhelm users who may be transitioning from 35mm cameras. On top there is only the rewind button, cold shoe, shutter and distance indicator. On the back the two windows for viewing and (uncoupled) rangefinder. It means you can focus with the viewfinder and transfer the distance manually to the lens. So that’s a lot more precise than just guess the distance. On the front the folder extrudes with a button on the bottom plate and give you access to the lens, shutter(times) and apertures. Shuttertimes vary from bulb to 1/300s with an aperture range from F3.5 to F16. The shutter can be cocked on the reliable Prontor and fired with the button on top of the camera. After 70 years it is as solid and working as new. By pushing the two levers next to the front cap, the folder can be put back into the camera. On the back there is the red window, marked with an X to block any light. Otherwise it can be opened with a little wheel to see what framenumber of the film is due. Be aware that color film is sensitive to any light, only black and white can be used with the window. But if you are careful and quick, this will not easily cause distortions (leaks) in the photo. You can shoot 12 pictures with one roll. On the bottom plate you have a tripod connection.
I also own the Perkeo II, with which I’ve taken numerous photos, and each time I was struck by the exceptional sharpness. The lens is magical, sharp from the center to the edges. The contrast has a beautiful gradual depth, and the Perkeo is especially at its best in portrait photography. The pleasant 6×6 format, now very popular again, is ideal for a renewed introduction to medium format. I find myself using this camera much faster than any other medium-format camera. Loading the film is easy, and the camera is no extra burden—it always fits in my bag. For exposure, I use my intuition or a simple meter, but you can also opt for an external meter, which nowadays are available digitally at a low cost.
Voigtländer, the renowned German camera manufacturer, has produced several medium-format cameras over the years. These cameras are known for their exceptional build quality, sharp optics, and often compact, foldable designs. Other notable medium-format cameras from Voigtländer are the Bessa and Prominent series. These Voigtländer cameras are highly sought after by collectors and photographers who appreciate vintage, mechanical cameras that deliver the high-quality results of medium-format photography.