Voigtländer Perkeo

The first model of the Perkeo series was designed for negatives 3x4 size sold from 1931 until around 1935, with around 10.000 units made. After WWII, during the 50s and until 1957, Voigtländer introduced 6 different variations of the three available models, with or without rangefinder and different lenses, 3-elements Vaskar or 4-elements Skopar. Except the first version of the Perkeo I (and, of course, all units made before WWII) all units have a double exposure prevention system.

According to Voigtländer, the Perkeo of the 30s was sold with three different combinations of lens and shutter:

• - Skopar f/4.5 with Embezet shutter (and top speed of 1/100)


• - Skopar f/3.5 with Compur A shutter (top speed of 1/300)


• - Heliar f/3.5 also with Compur A shutter (top speed of 1/300)

The type of film the first version used was 127, while the post-war models all use 120 roll film and provide square negatives of 6x6 size.

Perkeo I:

The Perkeo I was made between 1951 and 1955. Only during the first year cameras without double exposure prevention were manufactured, so all Perkeos since 1952 have this mechanism. Lenses can be either the f/4.5 Vaskar in 75mm and 80mm versions, or an 80mm Color-Skopar and f/3.5 of maximum aperture. Shutters can be either Vario, Prontor/-S/-SV/-SVS or Synchro-Compur.

Perkeo II:

The Perkeo II was sold between 1952 and 1955, including a few improvements and better suited than the previous model. It is usually found with 80/3.5 Color-Skopar, and Prontor-SVS or Synchro-Compur shutter.

Perkeo E:

The Perkeo E - also known as Perkeo III or Perkeo IIIE - also adds an uncoupled rangefinder, with 80mm lens that can be a Vaskar f/4.5 or a Color-Skopar f/3.5, always with Prontor shutter.

The camera measures 93x127x45mm (closed) or 93x127x98mm (opened), and weights between 600 and 750 grams, depending on version.

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