The Voigtländer VC Meter II (Mark 2) is a compact, shoe-mounted light meter designed for rangefinders and meterless film cameras. Released in 2006 as an update to the original 2001 VC Meter I, it keeps the same concept but introduces practical improvements. The goal is simple: give classic cameras a small, reliable exposure tool without spoiling their design.
Unboxing and Build
The meter comes in a green box with a manual and warranty card. The unit itself is solid metal and built to last. Compared to the Mark 1, the Mark 2 has a lower profile. It is slightly thinner, a little wider, and about 7 grams lighter.
The finish is black, so it blends well with most cameras. A silver option would have matched classic Leica bodies better, but the black housing looks at home on the Fuji GW690III or Horseman SW612/617.
Specifications
- Release year: 2006 (Mark 2), following the 2001 Mark 1
- Metering angle: 30° (similar to a 75 mm frame line)
- Exposure value range: EV1 to EV20
- Equivalent to 1 second at f/14 through 1/2000 second at f/22
- ISO range: 25 – 3200 (set on a small subdial)
- Battery: 2 × LR44 cells in a tool-free flip compartment
- Typical life: about one year, sometimes longer
- Cold shoe mount: Sliding, repositionable foot for more compatibility
- Operation: One-hand, dial-based control system
Operation
The VC Meter II has two main dials:
- Aperture dial on the left
- Shutter speed dial on the right
To take a reading, press the orange button. A red LED shows which way to turn the dial, and once aligned with green, you have a correct exposure.
Painted lines provide five equivalent exposure pairs, so you can see two stops above and two stops below the main reading. For example:
- Reading: 1/8s at f/2
- Equivalent pairs:
- 1/4s at f/2.8
- 1/2s at f/4
- 1/15s at f/1.4
- 1/30s at f/1
The meter gives continuous readings for about 30 seconds. If you keep the button pressed, it updates live. However, in practice it is faster to press once, release, and then dial in the exposure.
Accuracy
The meter is reliable, but accuracy is limited to half-stop increments. For negative film this is fine, but slide shooters should still bracket.
Remember: this is not a spot meter. It reads a 30° angle, so you need to understand what part of the scene it measures. It also does not meter flash.
Ergonomics and Compatibility
The repositionable sliding foot is a major upgrade from the Mark 1. On older cameras like the Nikon S2, the original could not mount properly. With the Mark 2, you can shift the foot for clearance around shutter dials, viewfinders, or rangefinder windows.
The low profile is another plus. It sits neatly on the camera and avoids blocking controls or framelines. On Leica M bodies, Nikon S-mounts, or Contax cameras, the meter looks integrated rather than tacked on.
Battery changes are also quicker. The new flip-door compartment replaces the screw-in cap of the Mark 1, which often required a coin.
Strengths
- Compact, all-metal build
- Stays on the shoe, no need to pocket or hang on a lanyard
- One-handed operation with bright, daylight-visible LEDs
- Repositionable foot for universal rangefinder fit
- Low height profile, unobtrusive on the camera
- Uses cheap, common LR44 batteries
- 30-second recall for recomposing or lens changes
- Clear painted coupling lines for instant one-stop adjustments
Drawbacks
- Half-stop resolution (LED increments) limits precision
- ISO dial lacks a lock and can move by accident
- 30° angle, not a spot meter
- Cannot meter flash
- Price: around $200–$300, which puts it near entry-level full-featured Sekonic meters
Practical Use
In real use, the VC Meter II solves two issues that limited the original: height and shoe placement. For film photographers using meterless cameras, it offers a simple, fast, and elegant metering option.
It works particularly well with:
- Leica M bodies and Barnacks
- Nikon S-mount and Contax rangefinders
- Fuji GW690III medium format
- Horseman SW612/617 (although a spot meter can still be preferable here)
On the Fuji GW690III, it stays permanently mounted and matches the black finish of the camera. On the Horseman, it serves as a useful backup when a spot meter is not required.
Conclusion
The Voigtländer VC Meter II is not perfect. It lacks flash metering, has limited resolution, and the ISO dial can move if you bump it. Still, it remains one of the most practical light meters for rangefinder shooters.
It is compact, quick, and elegant. The repositionable foot and low profile make it compatible with almost every rangefinder in circulation. For most photographers, it earns a permanent place on the camera’s shoe.
If you can accept the half-stop limitation and occasional ISO slip, the VC Meter II is one of the cleanest, most reliable ways to add metering to classic cameras without spoiling their design.
September 15, 2025 -
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