First Roll Through an 80 Year Old Camera - Zeiss Super Ikonta C

I received a new (to me) camera the other day, an 80 year old Zeiss Super Ikonta 6x9. These cameras have a cult like status and are usually very expensive. I've wanted one for a long time, but they are just too pricey.

Last week I lucked out and grabbed one for a little over $100.00, they run upwards of$300.00 or more usually. Its in pristine condition and the shutter is very accurate.

Anyway, as with all my photo gear, I usually head out to the mountains for field testing. It was a nice warmer day, around 30 degrees, with very still air. I did some hiking and photography with my new Super Ikonta

Keep in mind, these were all taken my an 80 year old camera! The camera even has an uncoated lens. All shots were hand held so they could have been better if they were shot from a tripod.

Overall I am very pleased with this camera. It is simple to use, and by the looks of the first roll, is a real keeper. A pocketable 6x9 medium format camera! I think I might sell my RB67 as it is huge compared to the Zeiss Super Ikonta.

Anyway, enough talk. Here are the photos. For those interested, these were shot on Across 100 film rated at 50 ISO and developed in Pyrocat MC for 13 minutes.

I scanned in with a flat profile, then adjusted the contrast to my liking.

Zeiss Super Ikonta Test Roll 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Super Ikonta Test Roll 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Super Ikonta Test Roll 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Super Ikonta Test Roll 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Super Ikonta Test Roll 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Wow! Very nice! There is nothing more satisfying than using an old camera. I have a Kodak Autographic from 1917 that I use a couple of times a year.
Nice compositions.

Preliminary examination of the posted photographs indicate that the camera appears to be working correctly.

Sirius Glass said:

Preliminary examination of the posted photographs indicate that the camera appears to be working correctly.

Click to expand...

Further testing along similar lines is probably advised however. Wouldn't want to leave something like that to chance.

'Takes many rolls (all posted here, of course) to be sure.
I have the 6x6 version from '32 (before lens coatings). I love my other cameras, but nothing renders a scene like this. I've used it deliberately for its look a number of times, and the Mrs. & I decided to go downtown to shoot Christmas day. I'll probably have the 'blad, but will also have the Super Ikonta and likely the Retina IIIc ('56). They're alot of fun, very portable and very respectable in their rendering. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Really beautiful shots. They have a distinct look to them, and show how that camera shines!

not sure why everyone sounds surprised. The Zeiss tessar on that thing is primo, coating or not. Coating really only prevents internal reflections and flare -- and while lens makers like to make it sound as if that is a big deal, it's not nearly as much a big deal as they make it. I mean, look at all the amazing images folks back in the 30s and 40s managed to produce.

Great shooter. Be happy.

I had a circa 1935 Certo Dolly SuperSport [a folder] which took really sharp photographs with the Zeiss lens. I too would take it with me when I carried the Hasselblad.

You might get a kick out of this Zeiss Ikon storefront display circa 1939 in Dresden, Germany. Looks like a few Super Ikonta "C" beauties behind a 532/16 "B" model in the lower left, all shiny and new!
http://www.zeisscamera.com/images/CamStores/Dresden1939M.jpg

I've got a '38 Super Ikonta B that looks just like that one in the window. Zeiss (and Contax) were considered the "professional" cameras in the 30's, Leica was the lower-cost alternative for amateurs.

As your examples above show, Zeiss optics were, and still are, outstanding.

Summicron - dang good point. Thank You.
Sirius - makes me smile. Now if I can only start to do so well with either.