Zeiss Ikon Folder Repairer (UK)

Svenedin · Mar 22, 2016

Hello,

I have a small collection of Zeiss Ikon folding MF cameras from the 1930's-1950's. They are guess-the distance, uncoupled rangefinder and coupled rangefinder.

Most of my cameras have one fault or another from sticky shutters to dirty rangefinders and lenses. I am not really prepared for a "steep learning curve" of trying to learn to repair these cameras myself. I am reasonably mechanically competent but I don't have the time and I don't want to learn by ruining decent cameras. For example, I tried to remove the top plate of a post-war Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta A531 today (there seem to be dead insects in the rangefinder) but I was defeated. I was aware that the viewfinder lens unscrews but despite my efforts with a rubber bung I could not remove it (but it did partially unscrew).

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for a repairer of these folding cameras, preferably in the UK? I have searched several forums but the recommendations are from a long time ago and many of the links no longer work or the repairers have retired.

Best Wishes,

Stephen

macfred · Mar 22, 2016

Not a traditional repairer but an acknowledged expert ... Hans from the Netherlands worked on several Zeiss Ikon MF cameras - he is Dutch but he speaks English also.
Maybe he can answer your questions or he knows somebody to help you. He recently supported me with my Super Ikonta III. You can contact him via flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/collections/72157613557481504/

Svenedin · Mar 22, 2016

Thank you MacFred. I have already found Hans Kerensky's repair sequences but he didn't have anything listed for my A531 though he did show the earlier 530 which is similar. He even pictured getting the round, threaded viewfinder window out but it could not do it and I was scared of damaging my camera. My A531 is relatively unusual in that it has the Schneider Xenar f3.5 rather than a Tessar which I believe were only used immediately after the war. If I cannot find an expert to do it for me then I will ask Hans for advice but I would rather it was done by a good repairer because if by a miracle I am successful with the current job then the camera still can't be used due to the blob of gunk in the lens.

So you have a Super Ikonta III?. That's nice, I don't have a III but I do have a IV. I also have:

Ikonta A520 Tessar from about 1935. Two red windows (which have no cover but do not seem to fog film in any way because there is felt that is mounted behind the film pressure plate and forms a rim around the window so light cannot spread). Works fine.

Super Ikonta A530 Tessar mid 1930's, Compur shutter not working properly and focus very stiff.

2 X Mess Ikonta 524/16 both with Prontor SVS shutters that don't work at all. One is jammed for unknown reason and the other has a broken slow speed pallet.

Ikonta 521/16 Tessar, early 1950's. All working

Super Ikonta IV 534/16. All working.

And I also have cases for all of them but these need repair too (new straps, stitching etc).

Fixcinater · Mar 23, 2016

I've completed a CLA on one of my 532/16s and done quite a few Compurs in other cameras but I'm on the wrong side of the pond.

macfred · Mar 23, 2016

Fixcinater said:
I've completed a CLA on one of my 532/16s and done quite a few Compurs in other cameras but I'm on the wrong side of the pond.

The 532/16 with the coated f/2.8 80mm Tessar and Compur Rapid shutter is still on my wish list - increasing prices here ...

R.Gould · Mar 23, 2016

The best repair place I know of is Newton and Ellis in Liverpool, they can repair any camera from the earliest to the latest digi, I have a big collection of Classic cameras from from MF and 35mm folders, Rolleis.Etc and I have used them a lot, the omly repair place I would let near my collection, and they have never let me down, and very nice people to deal with.
www.newtonellis.co.uk

Svenedin · Mar 23, 2016

R Gould, thank you for the recommendation of Newton and Ellis. As it happens I was browsing the forum last night (I could not sleep, I recently had surgery) and I chanced upon a thread about Olympus OM repairs. As I have an OM4-Ti I read the thread and saw that a repairer called Mr Miles Whitehead was recommended. On his website he mentioned folding cameras so I contacted him and he has agreed to look at the camera which is now en-route to him.

Fixcinator, thanks for the offer.

A bit off topic, but I am new to the forum. Where should I post some pictures? I ran a roll through my Super Ikonta IV today. It was a roll of HP5 really just to check that it was working properly prior to putting in some slide film (which is more expensive and less forgiving). I have just developed the film and the roll is hanging up to dry. I don't think they are terribly interesting because the light was bad and it was very overcast today but I did some shots to see what depth of field was like etc.

macfred · Mar 23, 2016

Svenedin said:
...A bit off topic, but I am new to the forum. Where should I post some pictures? ...

Become a Subscriber and use one of the galleries for your media upload (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Svenedin · Mar 23, 2016

Thank you MacFred. I have subscribed. Where are these galleries though?........I found them

MattKing · Mar 23, 2016

Svenedin said:
Thank you MacFred. I have subscribed. Where are these galleries though?........I found them

Thank you for subscribing.

macfred · Mar 23, 2016

Svenedin said:
Thank you MacFred. I have subscribed. Where are these galleries though?........I found them

Thank you !

Svenedin · Mar 24, 2016

I've just posted some pictures in the gallery taken on my Super Ikonta IV. I took the photos yesterday and developed the film last night. The light was poor but the camera worked well (including the built in exposure meter).

Steve906 · Mar 24, 2016

Hi,

I have just (Last week) revived a prontor SVS from an Agfa isolette III and in the past an SV and a vario.
I'm an engineer and for a job service/renovate & re-house vintage cine lenses for a company in Leicester.
As a hobby I do pretty much the same thing having recently got into old folders and other Mf kit.
I've got a workshop at home (& full cnc at work) and can manufacture replacement parts.
So basically I'm saying I'd probably be able to fix those shutters for you. I hate to see such things go in the bin as I'm sure many do, so I'm talking free if I can't fix it and come to some agreement if I can. Or I might be interested in buying them for parts if you don't need them.

Steve.

Svenedin · Mar 24, 2016

Steve,

I will PM you. Many thanks.

Stephen

darinwc · Mar 26, 2016

Nice shots from the Ikontas. Those are excellent cameras.

mippy · Apr 24, 2021

Hi! I realise this is an old thread, but is there anyone currently that is recommended for repair?

I have a Zeiss Super Ikonta B (533/16) that needs repair. The film advance and top button shutter release does not appear to be working, and while the shutter and aperture appears functional, it would probably benefit from being cleaned and tested. The light meter is not working -(it seems to respond to light slightly but if it's unlikely to be returned to something giving accurate readings then I'm OK with that!)

The bellows look fine so I'm hoping it will be easy enough to sort out the winding mechanism and clean up....but I know enough to know that I don't have the skills to do it...

James Murray · Jul 23, 2023

Steve906 said:
Hi,

I have just (Last week) revived a prontor SVS from an Agfa isolette III and in the past an SV and a vario.
I'm an engineer and for a job service/renovate & re-house vintage cine lenses for a company in Leicester.
As a hobby I do pretty much the same thing having recently got into old folders and other Mf kit.
I've got a workshop at home (& full cnc at work) and can manufacture replacement parts.
So basically I'm saying I'd probably be able to fix those shutters for you. I hate to see such things go in the bin as I'm sure many do, so I'm talking free if I can't fix it and come to some agreement if I can. Or I might be interested in buying them for parts if you don't need them.

Steve.

Hello - I have just seen this (old) thread. I am struggling with a couple of Prontor SV shutters and wonder if you are interested in looking at them?

250swb · Jul 23, 2023

James Murray said:
Hello - I have just seen this (old) thread. I am struggling with a couple of Prontor SV shutters and wonder if you are interested in looking at them?

That was seven years ago, you could try Newton Ellis in Liverpool, very proficient people.

Steve906 · Jul 24, 2023

James Murray said:
Hello - I have just seen this (old) thread. I am struggling with a couple of Prontor SV shutters and wonder if you are interested in looking at them?

Hi James, I am still here!
Depending on what is actually wrong with the shutters I could probably fix them.
However I don't know if this would be financially viable. The last SVS I fixed a few weeks ago, for myself, was from a Balda I particularly liked, but it took a number of days to sort out.
I also bought a beat up Agfa silette for £9 with a fully working SVS, maybe this would be your best way to go, just swap out the entire shutter if you can find a parts camera at a good price.
If you can explain the problem maybe I can talk you through a fix yourself.
There are good copies of the service manuals online.
Steve.

Udor · Sep 21, 2023

If you're still trying to find a competent repair person, try asking for advice on the Zeiss Historica group on Facebook. There are a lot of resourceful people in that community.

Zeiss Ikon Folder Repairer (UK)

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