Voigtlander Brillant S

Photos by JPF text by JPF. From the collection of Jean-Pierre Fantone. Last update 2023-10-19 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1938 to 1948.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 6686

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Voigtlander

The Voigtlander Brillant was introduced in 1932. Heavily inspired by the 1929 Rolleiflex, it is not, however, a true reflex camera, as its two lenses are not coupled, and there is no focusing verification in the viewfinder. Consequently, its selling price is much more reasonable than that of the Rollei.
The initial models used the lens/shutter block from the early Bessa models. The Brillant had a long lifespan and underwent several successive modifications, the most significant being the transition from using metal to bakelite for the camera body. There are numerous variations, as various shutters and lenses were used.
Depending on the lens, the focus setting is achieved by selecting a marker: Portraits, Groups, or Landscapes, or by following a graduated scale. In the early models, the front lens is fixed, and you have to adjust an index. Later on, the front lens itself needs to be turned.
The camera features an image counter (initially underneath the camera, later on the back) and protection against double exposures.
The camera can take 12 shots of 6 x 6 on a 6 x 9 film roll (120 format).

In 1937, Voigtlander introduced a new model called the Brillant V6. Apart from being made of bakelite, it introduced several new features such as a sports viewfinder, automatic film stop, and a filter compartment. Simultaneously, another model, the Brillant S, positioned itself at the top of the range with coupled lenses, providing a true reflex view. In the center of the viewfinder image, there is a ground glass circle for fine-tuning sharpness. It has a direct vision finder in the cap, as well as a magnifier. A light meter is included with this model.

	Years (c.)	TLR	Shutter	Lens		Focusing

Body made of metal
Brillant	1932-38	No	Voigtlander (1/25, 1/50, B, T)	Voigtar 7.7/75 mm	Focus using markers French version	No
Brillant	1932-38	No	Voigtlander	Voigtar 7.7/75 mm	Focus using markers French version	No
Brillant	1932-38	No	Voigtlander	Voigtar 7.7/75 mm	Focus using markers Polish version	No
Brillant	1932-38	No	AGC Embezet (1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T + Timer)	Voigtar 6.3/75 mm (3 lentilles)	Focus using markers British version	No
Brillant	1933-38	No	AGC Embezet	Voigtar 6.3/75 mm	Focus using markers French version	Yes
Brillant	1933-38	No	F. Deckel Compur (1/300)	Skopar 4.5/75 mm (4 lentilles)	Graduated scale	Yes
Brillant	1933-38	No	F. Deckel Compur-Rapid (1/500)	Skopar 4.5/75 mm	Graduated scale	Yes
Body made of bakelite
Brillant V6	1937-51	No	AGC Singlo (Timer)	Voigtar 6.3/75 mm
Brillant V6	1938-40	No	AGC Singlo (Timer)	Voigtar 7.7/75 mm
Brillant V6	1938-40	No	AGC Prontor II (Timer)	Voigtar 4.5/75 mm
Brillant V6	1937- 38	No	F. Deckel Compur	Skopar 4.5/75 mm
Brillant V6	1938-40	No	F. Deckel Compur-Rapid	Voigtar 4.5/75 mm
Brillant V6	1938-40	No	F. Deckel Compur-Rapid	Voigtar 3.5/75 mm
Brillant V6	1950-52	No	AGC Prontor II (timer)	Vaskar 4.5/75 mm
Brillant S	1938	Yes	F. Deckel Compur	Voigtar 4.5/75 mm
Brillant S	1938	Yes	F. Deckel Compur	Voigtar 3.5/75 mm
Brillant S	1938-?	Yes	F. Deckel Compur	Skopar 3.5/75 mm
Brillant S	1938-?	Yes	F. Deckel Compur-Rapid	Heliar 3.5/75 mm
Brillant S	1938-?	Yes	F. Deckel Compur-Rapid	Skopar 3.5/75 mm

In 1933, Photo-Porst catalogs mention a Voigtar 9/75 mm lens. In some English-speaking markets, the name "Brillant" is often referred to as "Brilliant."
Even after the production of the Brillant ceased, it continued to exist in the form of the Lubitel, a faithful Soviet copy, and many other similar cameras.

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This Brillant S specimen is well-equipped with its Skopar 3.5/75mm lens and its Compur shutter, but the high-end versions come with a Compur-Rapid shutter.

The later models of Brillant S feature a larger "Voigtländer" logo.

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