Any ideas what plate camera I have here?

I bought this old Zeiss Ikon plate camera today at a thrift store, figuring how bad could anything marked Zeiss Ikon be? It doesn't have a Tessar lens, rather a Preminar 13.5 f4.5 in a Compur shutter that runs to 1/200. I have no plates, or a GG even, but it measures out to be 9x12. No wire frame focusing aid, nor any sign of there ever being one, just the folding sight glass deal on the front. The condition is much nicer than the photos w/ excellent bellows and paint trim. Only the leather covering's appearance is poor. The lens needs cleaning, and the shutter sounds the same on all the speeds (B & T working OK), but a lighter fluid flush should get the shutter right. Neat camera! I've never held a plate camera in my hands, and they're very compact w/ wonderful design.

The strap says 207/1, and below that in the body covering it says something that I can't make out. Maybe something.... Maximar? Any ideas when this was made, and if it might make a good shooter? Inside the front element bezel it says Nr 757831, and on the shutter it says DRP No 258646 DRGM. Maybe that's a clue as to when it was made? Thanks!

Because it's a Zeiss Ikon it's probably 1927-28, it's a Maximar 207/1 I have an advert in front of me, Initially they used the Preminar as the budget lens but by 1929 were using a Dominar on the Maximars. Zeiss only dropped the original factory names in 1927 few prior to that would say Zeiss Ikon.

The Preminar lens was designed by Dr. R. Krugener's company which became part of ICA and later Zess Ikon so it was probably made in the old ICA factory. It appears to be a budget version of the Trona, no wire frame finder and no screw wind rise/fall on the front standard.

Ian

Thanks Ian. That was my guess too on the Preminar. Maybe the Preminons were better :} Appreciate the year of manufacture. It's an oldie then.

I got the lens cleaned up pretty well, and some lighter fluid got the speeds working again, but after it sits a while they go back to being the same speed. At least I know nothing is broken in the slow speed escapement. Might pull the shutter off, unscrew the elements, and let it soak in high test alcohol a few days to see if that un gums things inside.

I can see why people are attracted to shooting these cameras. They fold up into the tiniest of boxes, fold out quickly, and I'm sure they take great photos, even w/ the budget lens on this one.

Another squirt w/ the Ronson and letting it soak in took care of the shutter. Nice and smooth on all the speeds. I love these old cameras. Even I can fix them.

There's 9x12 cameras that fold even smaller, well thinner - the KW Patent Etui



That's one of my Patent Etui's alongside a Rodenstock 9x12 (actually a re-badged Welta), when you realise these 9x12 cameras take plates/films only a touch narrower than 5x4 they can be small portable LF cameras.

Compared to a Crown Graphic !!!



Ian

Oooh, I like that Patent Etui camera. Found one on eBait for a good price I think. No finder, but you could put something together I'm sure.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KW-KAWEE-PA...182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2350f6318e

That's the small one, good with a 6x9 back. Someone's removed the wire frame finder etc unfortunately.

That's a normal price.

Ian