Voigtlander Brilliant In depth review, changing light seals, loading film, first test shots

[@andrewweis3028]

Hi Martin, recently got the Brilliant and ran a ‘test’ roll through it. Boy, you talk about light leaks. It was overkill and couldn’t really clearly examine the photos. Then, I completely replaced the light seals yesterday and shot a roll of FP4+ and the difference is night and day. Nice, clear, well balanced photos. It’s nice to get to use an almost 90+ year old camera and enjoy the process and outcome. Thanks for the original suggestion, it is much appreciated.

[@halliedye1459]

My grandfather was in World War II and I recently acquired this camera through my grandparents estate sale. Just to think this may have stormed the beaches of Normandy with him gives me chills. Loved your review and have learned a lot about its features. Thank You.

[@martinhensonphotography]

Your welcome

[@penrox0]

Just picked up a Brilliant off a well know bidding site for £9.. apparently not working but a small spray of contact cleaner and she fires nicely. Lens needs a clean but then it’s a test. Many thanks for your video. As always, a great help .. 👍👍👍

[@f1remandg]

Great little video and I’ll check out my seals, I’ve cleaned a lot but just need to figure how to access lenses I think they must unscrew via knurled brass lens surround, anti clockwise I think but will check. Thanks again as usual very informative and helpful David

[@mamiyapress]

Surprisingly good image quality, I have the Voigtlander Bessa 6X6 from about 1933, I must take it for a spin.

[@martinhensonphotography]

Yes and its better now the light leaks have been cured, thanks

[@f1remandg]

Hi Martin I just bought myself a Voigtlander Superb but the 1933 version that has the name superb at the top instead of Voigtlander it also loads from left to right and has a very unusual viewing window/lens that angles down, I thought it had been knocked at first but the manual from Bukas god bless that guy! States the angle and that it gives a more exact parallax to the lens, it also has retained the little counter wheel, but has a pull lever at side to advance the film, it states a seven pull if light is low, but is more like the film cocking on more modern SLRs. Speeds are 250. 100 50 25 10 5 2 1 and B T and 10sec delay for those times when you want to get in the picture or take a shot on tripod without cameras shake , it has a nice little mirrored speed magnifier that flicks out for cleaning, lever for focusing, similar release and a knob for f stops 3.5 to F22 tiny thing and has a square button that you turn to close the red viewing panel that levers a little boomerang type closure inside, mainly metal construction and Skopar lens, finished of with a lovely enamelled blue & yellow with silver y in the viewing top and a distance Dof scale on the right hand flick up lid as you are at the back, plus a nice little mag lens.

[@pggrootde6726]

Thanks Martin for your nice review. The image quality is really not too bad! If my wife permits (I already have plenty cameras 😂) I will look for a nice one. The small size will hopefully help acceptance….. Again; THANKS!

[@michaeltyers7336]

My father has one of these, given to him by my grandfather. As far as I can tell it's in working order but I'll probably check the light seals.

[@adammarkowski790]

Great video again! Thank you Martin!

[@robhosailor]

Great camera indeed, and really beautiful photos!

[@martinhensonphotography]

Thank you

[@shoeboxwalk8300]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! I wish I had watched it before putting a test roll through mine! Going to try again after checking light seals and the like :)

[@ericthreeman]

Thanks for this! Found a later bakelite model with a couple different minor features but this has everything I need. Not a common model to cover, either👍

[@romyaz1713]

i have this exact model and i love it. thanks for reminding me to take it out for a spin. i fixed the light leaks by covering the advance mechanism and the bottom window from the inside permanently

[@TheSchnauzie]

Brilliant video Martin to look back to the old cameras

[@martinhensonphotography]

A testament to there build quality as well, thanks

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Enjoyable and informative as always Martin! Thank you!

[@martinhensonphotography]

It is great fun trying out very old cameras, thanks

[@Volkhari]

I've just bought one of these! This video was really interesting and useful. Very excited to try the camera out 😊

[@urbanimage]

Very interesting video. I have an early metal bodied one of these that I have never used with film, though I did test the lens out on digital. I shall have to check the camera over and put a film through it.

[@michaeltyers7336]

My shutter is sticking on the 1/25 setting on my 1932 Voigtländer Brilliant. Any suggestions on how to clean and lubricate it?

[@SteveKleinheider]

This is a wonderful old camera! I have one labeled "Brillant" instead of "Brilliant"...I assume it was made specifically for the German market. Take care.

[@martinhensonphotography]

I lot of web based reference's to this camera are spelt Brillant, so I double checked mine and it is spelt Brilliant, so your probably correct

[@petercooper9054]

Another great video. A colleague of mine years ago brought one of these into work and wanted to know if I could get it working. Sadly a spring was broken in the shutter. I remember the logo on the top of the camera and would think it the same model. Lovely pics martin. Especially like the one of all the books. I got two Minolta auto wide cameras coming from Sweden soon. They will be interesting to take out for a spin. One works one does not. A challenge again to repair.

[@martinhensonphotography]

Thank you

[@dusanlietava8082]

Ahoj Martin ,Vlastním Voigtlander Briliant ako je na tvojom videu ale mierka časov je nad objektívom a spúšť funguje tak,že pri stlačení páčky spúšte sa závierka natiahne a otvorí sa až po uvoľnení páčky spúšte.Tým sa zvyšuje možnosť rozhýbania kamery a zneostrenia snímku.

[@RomulSpiel]

Прекрасное видео, спасибо, Мартин!

[@martinhensonphotography]

Спасибо

[@Wiencourager]

There seem to be many variations. Many of them have full shutter speeds and an iris diaphragm. One of mine even has a Heliar lens! Some bare Bakelite, some metal, even the spelling can be different.

[@chuberdisco]

Спасибо за обзор камеры,отличные снимки.

[@marypinkerton3290]

Thank you. I have one and needed this video.

[@martinhensonphotography]

Your welcome

[@richardmaher3878]

Hi do you know if the shutter stops working on these are they easily fixed?

[@rahandulcaspatal5276]

Ok thank for video ..i have the dame modelo camera bit the shutter not work .please doy you know Any info about how to Fix It? Thank you

[@kackenderkevin]

can you make a video about the second model

[@tonyb2760]

Thanks for sharing

[@martinhensonphotography]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@mickcookson8009]

@@martinhensonphotography Just got a mint Kodak Sterling 2, I have done a mod on the inside so it takes 120 roll film, can't wait to try it out now after seeing your'e images Martin, I also have a Icon Nettar 6x6 and a Kodak Rettinette 35mm. Great channel and video's.

[@totenvt]

have you ever considered using a laser tape measure as a focusing aid ?

[@martinhensonphotography]

no not really , but it could be worth a try for certain subjects

[@davidspraggs9559]

Martin , many thanks for the two vlogs on this camera. I have given mine a 'clean' as best I could & followed your light seals instructions... so am awaiting some 120 film to arrive in post to give my one (purchased after your inspiring 1st vlog) a spin in some good light. Oh & just an aside my camera with a roll of exposed Kodak Velochrome Pan 620 in it, so I will have to get that developed to see what images if anything this old film contains... Have you or any subscribers got any advice about how or in what treatment this old exposed film should be developed in.... Many Thanks Again for the inspiring vlogs... All The Best & Stay Safe. David

[@martinhensonphotography]

Thanks David, not sure about old colour film

[@GioacchinoAPagliuca]

Thanks Martin !

[@stephenhenson8274]

Keep on doing your Brilliant,,?? Tutorials Martin, not many left with your knowledge of Classic cameras, , if this was on aT V channel, it would have Prime Time Viewing Slots 📷

[@martinhensonphotography]

Cheers Mick and thank you for gifting me the camera

[@pwood5733]

I use one as an ash tray

[@martinhensonphotography]

A very versatile camera 😊

[@bunathan2485]

i just bought one for some ungodly reason