Ikoflex "Coffee Can" counter windows question

[Thomas71]

Hi folks, I've the opportunity to try a 1937 Ikoflex "Coffe Can" MF camera; imho an original and fascinating design.
Holding the camera to point and shot, the camera has 2 windows to count the exposure. The left side window has a label indicating "Met"; the window on the right has no label. Could you please tell me which window shows the correct frame using modern FP4 or HP5 film with plastic spool?
Thanks for your support; I hope to enjoy this camera
Thomas

 

[Romanko]

I assume you found the instruction manual for your camera on Butkus's website (https://www.cameramanuals.org/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_ikoflex_850-16_coffee-can.pdf). If you have only one roll to shoot I would go with the "Met" setting (for smaller diameter metal spools). Hopefully, with a modern plastic spool it will give you slightly wider frame spacing which is better than overlapping frames. Obviously, it is only the empty (receiving) spool that matters so if you can find a wooden spool or the original BIIM8 marked metal spool it will solve your problem.

Another tip: leave more space around your subject when composing, especially towards the end of the roll. In case there are overlapping frames you might be able to crop them.

Nice camera! Please share your experiences of using it.

 

[JPD]

it is only the empty (receiving) spool that matters so if you can find a wooden spool or the original BIIM8 marked metal spool it will solve your problem.

BII or B-2, B2-8 should be the normal 120 film. B2-8 was the old Agfa designation for 120 film.

 

[Dwight Anderson]

This model took both 120 and 620 film. BIIM8 is Zeiss's designation for 620 film on metal spools. 120 film was primarily on wooden spools at the time. So you would not want to use the met setting for 120 film

 

[JPD]

This model took both 120 and 620 film. BIIM8 is Zeiss's designation for 620 film on metal spools. 120 film was primarily on wooden spools at the time. So you would not want to use the met setting for 120 film

That makes sense! All the different designations for the film formats must have been confusing back then.

 

[Thomas71]

This model took both 120 and 620 film. BIIM8 is Zeiss's designation for 620 film on metal spools. 120 film was primarily on wooden spools at the time. So you would not want to use the met setting for 120 film

Dear Dwight, after some research it seems that your is a reasonable answer. Even Buktus Manual (God Save the Buktus!!) is not clear because it was written in a time when they were available both 120 and 620 film, and at that time photographers knew on which spool were rolled the film
I'll be in vacation next week; after I'll manage a field test of "Coffee Can"

 

[Dwight Anderson]

I haven't seen a Coffee Can Ikoflex in person, but I have a 1937 Super Ikonta A that takes both 120 and 620 film, and the film back is marked inside BII8 and BIIM8. Good luck with the camera!