Zeiss Ikon....Any good?

viridari · Sep 17, 2009

k_jupiter said:
You should like the 6x6 format of your new camera.

Oh I'm already a sucker for 6x6. I have two Mamiya C330's, plus another one tattooed on my left arm!

I just wanted a camera a little easier to carry around on a motorbike or what have you than the Mamiya. The Super Ikontas & Tessar lenses seem to get a lot of fanfare in my google searches so after some more research I committed.

k_jupiter · Sep 18, 2009

viridari said:
Oh I'm already a sucker for 6x6. I have two Mamiya C330's, plus another one tattooed on my left arm!

I just wanted a camera a little easier to carry around on a motorbike or what have you than the Mamiya. The Super Ikontas & Tessar lenses seem to get a lot of fanfare in my google searches so after some more research I committed.

Assuming it's in good shape, you'll be happy. I shoot with a c220 myself somedays.

tim in san jose

naugastyle · Sep 18, 2009

I got my Super Ikonta B for a pretty reasonable price...at least I think it was reasonable thus far, but it wasn't one of the ones that was guaranteed CLA'd or repaired so maybe in a year I'll run into problems. Hope not, as it was still kinda pricey (cheaper than a c330 though!). It's got the Tessar lens, rangefinder, and is seriously heavy. Have only run one roll through but...so far pretty impressive. If I shoot enough with this I might have to consider finally buying scanner with a 6cm light source (currently have to composite two scans).

viridari · Sep 21, 2009

My 533/16 arrived today and I'm nearly speechless. This is a thing of beauty. I can't wait for some free time & daylight to burn a few rolls of 120 & see what she can do.

elekm · Sep 21, 2009

Zeiss Ikon built cameras to a higher standard. Design, choice of materials and workmanship generally were excellent. And because it's a Zeiss Ikon -- no foam seals to replace -- ever.

Remember, that these cameras are at least 50 years old, and they all can benefit from routine service -- cleaning the viewfinder and rangefinder and remove the old grease from the helicals and relubricate.

naugastyle · Sep 22, 2009

How often is routine? Although all my cameras are reasonably old, I've never taken a single one in for repair/cleaning. How often does it need to be done? I assume you need to do it BEFORE there's a problem (my Ikonta seems fine right now)?

Mark Antony · Sep 22, 2009

I just received a 1932 Ikonta 520/2 from the evil bay. Obviously it has an un coated Tessar F4,5 and so far I too am wowed by the quality, that mechanism for locking the lens is quite wonderful

viridari · Sep 30, 2009

I just souped my test roll from my 533/16 and found two things wrong with it:
1) The rangefinder needs to be adjusted. All of my images were out of focus. Including images that should have been focused to infinity. Is this a reasonable DIY project?
2) Some of the images overlapped, suggesting either there is slippage going on internally or maybe I didn't advance the film far enough on those frames going by tactile feedback instead of looking at the numbers.

elekm · Sep 30, 2009

1) If the lens isn't providing an in-focus shot at infinity, it could be one of several things. The most likely is that the lens should be collimated. An easy procedure, but it depends on your level of mechanical competence. Rangefinder calibration is a different matter and a different procedure and a bit more complicated with this model.

2) This is rather comon with this camera. Some have suggested making the spool thicker by winding tape around it. Or using a wooden spool. Or by winding a bit past the start point before closing the camera back.

viridari · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks, Mike!

elekm · Sep 30, 2009

First, you want to check infinity focus. If you have an SLR, you can follow these directions.

A quick method is to get frosted tape, put it across the film plane, open the aperture to its widest setting. Set the shutter to "B" and either use a cable release or hold the shutter release down.

Now, get a loupe (or a 50mm lens), point the camera at a distant object that isn't the sun or a welder at work and see if the image on the tape is in focus.

The first method is more accurate, but the second is good for making a quick check.

I would start here, because if the lens isn't collimated, then you'll have to correct this first.

elekm · Sep 30, 2009

Nancy -- I often mention "routine" cleaning. I should clarify that. I don't mean regular cleaning, so much as I mean that the work that should be done almost always includes the same list of things.

With folding cameras, you usually will need to clean the viewfinder, clean the shutter, clean the lens elements, remove the old grease and then regrease the lens and reset the lens to infinity focus. If it's a rangefinder, you'll usually need to clean and recalibrate the rangefinder.

With camera lenses and rangefinder mechanisms, there is a single in-focus point for infinity. And you'll want both to be precise. That is, a distant object (1/4 of a mile) will be in focus when the lens and rangefinder hits its infinity mark. Not before and not after.

By the way, my favorite folding cameras are two very old Zeiss Ikons -- Ikonta 520/2 and Super Ikonta 530/2, a Super Ikonta 532/16, the Mess Ikonta 524/16 and the Super Ikonta III. All of them required varying degrees of service, but I expect this is a once-a-generation thing.

k_jupiter · Oct 1, 2009

elekm said:
1) If the lens isn't providing an in-focus shot at infinity, it could be one of several things. The most likely is that the lens should be collimated. An easy procedure, but it depends on your level of mechanical competence. Rangefinder calibration is a different matter and a different procedure and a bit more complicated with this model.

2) This is rather comon with this camera. Some have suggested making the spool thicker by winding tape around it. Or using a wooden spool. Or by winding a bit past the start point before closing the camera back.

Remember what I said. That is a multihelix focus mechanism. If someone put it back together 180 out, it will never match the focus. I would bite the bullet and have it serviced by someone who knows this camera. Or you might have a very expensive pile of parts.

tim in san jose

Zeiss Ikon....Any good?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency