The ion-pair dissociation dynamics of CH3Br + hv(vuv) --> CH3+ + Br- as a function of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) wavelength have been studied by means of velocity imaging. Photofragment excitation (PHOFEX) spectra as well as images for both the cation and the anion products have been collected, which confirm the dissociation occurs through the ion-pair channel from the momentum matching of both products. The wavelength region for the PHOFEX covers a small portion (from 121.4 to 122.7 nm) of the absorption spectrum where transitions from the ground state to both ns and up Rydberg states as well as to the underlying continuum states are all present. Images were taken at selected wavelengths both on the peaks and in the valleys of the PHOFEX spectrum, as well as at 118.22 nm. The PHOFEX spectra closely resemble the absorption spectra of CH3Br, and the images taken at peaks and continuum wavelengths in PHOFEX show no marked differences with respect to the product energy and angular distributions. These observations prompt us to conclude that the ion-pair state is directly populated by the VUV photons and the ion-pair dissociation is one of the major exit channels for the excited states in the energy region just below the ionization energy of the parent molecule, although large uncertainties in wavelength in the absorption spectra make the proposed mechanisms less conclusive.