When sold by Voigtländer, the Vitessa line was their mid-range rangefinder camera, positioned between the professional Prominent (135) and the entry-level Vito / Vitomatic / Vitoret.

Contemporary marketing materials emphasized the rapid operation of the camera: by pressing the shutter release button, positioned on the top deck for the photographer's right index finger, the camera doors opened and the lens moved into position;[3] after each exposure, a tall plunger for the photographer's left hand is depressed, advancing the film and cocking the shutter for the next exposure.

There are numerous sub-variants of the A and N.[5][6] In Germany, the Vitessa was nicknamed the Leuchtturm (lighthouse), after the tall film-advance/cocking plunger, and the Scheunentor (barn door), after the lens capping mechanism.

Compared to prior Vitessa models, the lens mount of the T was not collapsible, making it a bulkier camera.

[8] At about the same time, ZIV also marketed the Vitessa 126 series using the 126 film (Instamatic) cartridge developed by Kodak to simplify the loading process.