Zeiss Ikomat - Please help.

[pryan9]

So i recently picked up a Zeiss Ikomat at a camera show in rather filthy condition for 10$ but the shutter seemed to work and the glass was a little dirty but no scrathes so i figured what the heck..

When i got home i noticed several imperfections and im wondering if it is worth fixing and how hard it would be. First off, the bellows are all intact but parts of them are pretty mangled from being squished and closed incorrectly for years. I was thinking about just using some gafers tape to hold them back in place so that they all fold appropriately. Is this even necessary though? i mean, there are no holes in the bellows for light to leak in, i just wast sure if the misshapenness of them would cause the light to bounce differently inside the bellows.

Second, The lens seems to have some fungus/mold on it that i cannot clean without unscrewing everything. Now, im not that handy of a person, how difficult is it to clean the lens?

And lastly, I have no idea what the exact model of this camera is and I would like to know what series it is...ie..520, 521, etc. I believe the lens is an anastigmat 6.3 and it shoots 6x9's on 120 film.

I will upload some photos of the cameras later this evening! Thanks!

 

[jnoir]

About bellows, you can only relay on them if you replace them. Not easy, or very cheap anyway, but possible. If I were you, I'd avoid using liquid laquer or paint or something like that, which in the long run may become sticky, collect all possible dirt and dust, your bellows may not fully extend and probably the adhesive may even "eat" bellow's material.

About lens cleaning, it is not that hard as long as you have the proper tools. If it is fungus and it has established itself firmly in the glass, solution for it may well be beyond DIY possibilities. Removing the lens is the easiest part, cleaning them (and learning from it) may or not be worth the effort, you should decide.

And about your particular model, without extra photos it's hard to say.

 

[pryan9]

So your telling me the only real solution is to replace the bellows? even if there aren't any holes in them? they seem to be in pretty good condition just a little "creased" i guess is the better word in a few spots.

 

[pryan9]

What are the necessary tools for this?

 

[jnoir]

For bellows, I meant that using liquid tape or paint or something like that is not a final solution but a temporary action, after 50+ years replacement is the only way to have reliable bellows in a folder ;-)

To see if it leaks, one good method is to check from the inside with a led light in a dark closet (take your time inspecting and rotating it). Usually, if you can feel it with your finger, most probably light will leak. Obviously, it may or may not make your camera unusable (basically, it will affect you when light hits in an angle that reaches the film). Bellows in ZI cameras usually are not too bad.

About tools, for cleaning lenses you will need (a basic list) a good set of screwdrivers (sometimes screws are made out of aluminum and are soft, avoid using excessive force and use the right size of the right tool for the right task), a spanner wrench, lens cleaning tissues (as soft as possible and without residue) and some patience. Which combination of lens/shutter does your camera have? Google will probably be a good starting point, and you can always post here your questions.