Voigtlander Bergheil

Photos by VB text by VB. From the collection of VB. Last update 2019-02-01 par Eric Borel.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1920 to 1926.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 7386

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Voigtlander

The Bergheil is an aluminium-built, leather-covered, plate camera manufactured from 1912 to 1936.
It was available in several formats : 4,5 x 6, 6,5 x 9, 9 x 12 et 10 x 15 cm.
The last models enjoyed an interchangeable optical group.
Whereas identification of this 9x12 cm camera is easy since the « Bergheil » name is embossed in leather on the ground glass back, determination of the version is tricky. On this particular model, the presence of :
a square U-shaped frame supporting the shift movements
intermediate V-shaped struts supporting the bellows
a fixed optical group comprising a Compur shutter up to 1/250 combined with an F6.3 Radiar lens
lead, thanks to the monography by Pierre Dalger 140 years of Voigtlander cameras, to classify this camera as a second version produced from 1920 to 1926.
The folding clear viewfinder with an attached bubble level was an option on this version.
The front door can be opened by depressing a button, hidden by the leather covering, located in the upper right side of the camera ; the lowering of the swinging door will automatically get the left-hand lateral viewfinder to deploy. Once the carriage has been manually put into position, focusing, which is controlled by the scroll wheels integrated to the swing door, is obtained by way of displacement of the rail carrying the front plate.
Controlled by small scroll wheels, the shift movements are easy and precise.
The Bergheil was rather upmarket among Voigtlander small plate cameras, with the Avis as second in command, followed by the Vag at the lower end.

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