Voigtlander Bergheil restoration.

[alexvaras]

Hi all,

I found this in the local market, it was a GAS decision but it went well at the end.
Early/middle model of Bergheil cameras, it has already the frame viewfinder at the middle (not in a corner) but it has not yet the shift knob next to the raise/fall knob and the lens is fixed with usual retaining ring and not with the quick release system of the late models.
Still it has a 15cm f/4.5 Heliar, lens is fine but shutter is broken and it's the next to fix.

Known problems:
Light traps not complete.
Dry and discoloured leather.
Spring lost + broken handle of the front door (right side).
Poor movement in rails/shutter holders.
Opening mechanism sticky.
Close tab for ground glass/plate holders hard to move.
I presume the camera was kept in a very wet environment.

All of them sorted out so far.

Before

Thanks to Dan Unfeker!

New light trap.


Handle, before.

Handle, after.


Shutter plate rails mechanism.


Broken handle.


It is doing fine.

Here complete how-to:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskTy3vVj

Next chapter the shutter.

Thank you for watching.
Alex

[Julio1fer]

Very impressive, Alex! That camera must have an interesting story inside.

[alexvaras]

I just talked with the seller, all he could tell me is his grandfather brought it to Moscow from Germany after WWII, so quite an story yes.
This is the second camera I have with such story confirmed by the seller.

[PFMcFarland]

Good work, Alex, especially on that leather.

PF

[alexvaras]

Thank you, Phil.

The camera is finished!

Restored - Extended

[GrahamS]

Marvellous!