Zeiss Ikon Compur

Tigerlil · Sep 27, 2016

My late husband was a collector of most things old (except wives). Downsizing is now inevitable. He has a collection of cameras I need help identifying and in many cases opening but first to the identity. This Compur, nice condition, but I don't know the first thing about it. Hopefully someone on this forum can give me insight on identifying and info on the camera such as age.

T

MattKing · Sep 28, 2016

Welcome to APUG, and sorry about your loss.

"Compur" refers to a type of shutter, which can be found on a number of different cameras.

We may be more able to help you if you can upload photos of the items you need to identify or, alternatively, post a link to an internet location for those photos.

Tigerlil · Sep 28, 2016

Thank you for your prompt reply. Here are photos of the camera. I'm also having a problem closing the bellows. I thought the two screws at the base of the bellows were an option but they did not turn readily and did not want to do damage. Lisa

summicron1 · Sep 28, 2016

lisa,

you close the bellows on that by squeezing the two screws together and pushing back gently so the front standard slides back into the box of the camera.

What you have there is a pretty common camera from the 1920s, probably made by Zeiss but other companies made them as well. Their value is not high -- less than $50 generally, depending on condition -- but they make nice display pieces and there are a few folks who even use them if they can find film backs that fit.

charlie trentelman
ogden, utah

Ian Grant · Sep 28, 2016

Initially it would seem it was made somewhere between about 1927-1930 approx because Zeiss Ikon was only formed in 1926 but the founding companies still used their own name until 1927, and then it's an older Compur they changed in about 1930. It's a 6.5x9cm camera I think judging by the size of the shutter in relation to the camera itself, the value above is about right, Depends on the condition though.

It's probably not the original lens/shutter as the serial number dates to 1919/20 six years before Zeiss Ikon was founded.

Ian

Brian Schmidt · Sep 28, 2016

Hello.

Generally if the lens on the front says f=10.5 cm it is for 6X9 cm film and if it is f=13.5cm it is for 9X12 cm. Also the bellows having a clip typically means that it is a 9X12 but not always.

Brian

Tigerlil · Sep 28, 2016

Brian Schmidt said:
Hello.

Generally if the lens on the front says f=10.5 cm it is for 6X9 cm film and if it is f=13.5cm it is for 9X12 cm. Also the bellows having a clip typically means that it is a 9X12 but not always.

Brian

summicron1 said:
lisa,

you close the bellows on that by squeezing the two screws together and pushing back gently so the front standard slides back into the box of the camera.

What you have there is a pretty common camera from the 1920s, probably made by Zeiss but other companies made them as well. Their value is not high -- less than $50 generally, depending on condition -- but they make nice display pieces and there are a few folks who even use them if they can find film backs that fit.

charlie trentelman
ogden, utah

Tigerlil · Sep 28, 2016

One of the screws to move bellows does not move. What do you recommend. Can I spray with WD 40? The lens says Tessar 1:45 f=9cm. Lower ring says Carl Zeiss Jena No. 352478. I did play with the screw on the right of the lens before learning that moves the bellows down (I think). Since f=9cm it would be safe to think it would be 6x9? Lisa

Ian Grant · Sep 28, 2016

Don't spray with anything there's a knack to the mechanism, it's easy when you know how. I'm not sure with the Zeiss Ikon it maybe you lift slightly to slide, it's late here (in the UK) or I'd go into my garage and scrap pile as I've a camera witha similar mechanism.

It's not a 6x9 camera they only take roll film, it's a 6.5x9 camera which takes plates that size or a seperate 6x9 roll film holdwer that slides in where the plate holders and focus back fits. Luckily for me my wife likes cameras like this on display and for what they are worth that's probably the best option, they do look nice open

It was a good camera in its day but the mismatch between a 1919/20 lens and shutter and a camera body made at least 6 years later means it's not a collectors item.

Ian

AgX · Sep 28, 2016

I do not get the point with that "mismatch". What is wrong with a lens and shutter designed (or even made) before the body?

summicron1 · Sep 28, 2016

Tigerlil said:
One of the screws to move bellows does not move. What do you recommend. Can I spray with WD 40? The lens says Tessar 1:45 f=9cm. Lower ring says Carl Zeiss Jena No. 352478. I did play with the screw on the right of the lens before learning that moves the bellows down (I think). Since f=9cm it would be safe to think it would be 6x9? Lisa

typically one peg moves in, the other remains stable; it's there to give you something to squeeze the other against. The base of the front standard slides on those rails and may be stuck. Try wiggling it a bit, gently. Don't force it. A touch of oil, a drop or so, on the rails will not hurt anything, but don't spray it. Use a toothpick to put a drop on the rails behind the standard's base.

Tigerlil · Sep 28, 2016

Thank you all for the information. I was able to move the bellows in, not all the way, but close. I took the back off and the bellows does not appear to have any holes. I'm gonna consider this a done deal. My biggest problem in moving the bellows was strength to push the pegs while trying to move the bellows. If I come across any black shoe polish, i'll touch up the side leather. On to my next camera.

Tigerlil · Oct 5, 2016

I have a Kodak No 1 pocket camera Series 2. The photo shows the camera with just a ring. What is the part that should be there called? Lisa

Ian Grant · Oct 6, 2016

The camera is missing it's finder. See the manual here. These finders are sometimes broken so removed, they rotate so that they can be used in portrait or landscape mode. I have two Ia Autographics, they are quite nice cameras.

Ian

Tigerlil · Oct 6, 2016

Thanks. I assume they can be found on eBay. Lisa

Ian Grant · Oct 6, 2016

Tigerlil said:
Thanks. I assume they can be found on eBay. Lisa

I've never seen one on it's own, the problem is they aren't standard so you need a scrap camera that's similar to take the part off.

Ian

Zeiss Ikon Compur

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