The Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex of Gabriele D'Annunzio.

We lately went to vist the Vittoriale Degli Italiani at Gardone Riviera, the late house of poet and patriot private Gabriele D'Annunzio. The place is very charming and I warmly suggest a visit to whoever is travelling around the Lago di Garda.

There is a new section of the exhibition in which personal items of D'Annunzio like shoes, dresses, parfums and other collectables are shown. In a shrine, there's his camera, a mid-format pre-war Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex with ever-ready case in excellent conditions. As in all other aspects of life, the Bard was extremely demanding, and even in this case he has chosen the high-end version equipped with the Tessar taking lens...

I've always wanted an Ikoflex III in good shape. For some reason most of them aren't in good shape. There always seems to be some kind of green corrosion, messed up covering, and other problems. I can find Rolleis and even other model Ikoflexes in good shape, and have several, but not one of these at an affordable price. For awhile I had one that was beat up and hard to use, but it took beautiful pictures.

I've had two Ikoflex III's and neither one worked quite right.
The one pictured above has been sync'd for flash. Interesting and looks to be in terrific condition.