Zeiss Ikon Kolibri, No.2A Folding Autographic Brownie - 127 Format

[braxus]

I already have some 35mm, 645, and 6x6/6x7 cameras on hand. But Im curious about playing with 127 format. My parents used 127 back in the 50s and 60s on what I believe was a Brownie camera. But if Im going to use a Brownie, I'll just use my Holga with 120 film.

That said if I were to pick up this Zeiss 127 camera, what kind of results would I expect from the lens on that thing? I know not many films are in this format, but I do have the capability to process 127 here. To me this 3x4cm size is not that much different then 35mm. I've seen way larger negs on 127 format, but dont know what camera took those.

I also looked at the really old No2 Autographic, which I believe may have taken 127 as well? I cannot confirm the size, but I think the image was 4x6cms? Is this camera fun to play with and get decent enough results? They go for pretty cheap on Ebay.

Any comments on either of these cameras? The Ikon isn't exactly cheap on Ebay I see, though the Brownie is.

 

[Hunter_Compton]

All Kodak Brownies with the 2A model number use 116 film not 127.

Most Kodak cameras which took 127 film were simple with single shutter speeds and meniscus lenses. However, some nicer examples include the Vest Pocket Kodak Special which featured either an f/4.5 or f/5.6 tessar lens and took 8 pictures 4x6cm on 127 film or the Nagel Vollenda which had a f/3.5 Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar lens in a compur shutter and took sixteen 4x3cm images on 127 film.

 

[shutterfinger]

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Zeiss_Ikon_Kolibri
Is this the camera?
What lens is on the camera?

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have a Zeiss Ikon "Baby Ikonta" in 127 half frame -- 4x3cm. It's got a good lens -- don't recall whether it's a Tessar or a Novar. I did have to install a mask (a strip of black paper about 3mm inside the frame on the supply edge) because when I cut down 120 to respool onto 127 spools, the 6x6 track comes into play for full frame and half frame 127 cameras (for 4x4, you get the 6x4.5 track). Unfortunately, the frame plus spacing on the 6x6 track gives about 1.5-2mm overlap with a 127 frame (it's an actual 60mm wide, it seems, instead of the 56 mm of a 6x6 frame). If you're willing to shell out for real 127 film (Rerapan and Rerachrome, around $12/roll IIRC?), you won't have this issue.

 

[braxus]

Looking at that pocket camera, it seems to old to use with todays films. 4x3 is too similar to 35mm, so pass. Actually 4x6 format is only a couple mm larger then 645 format, of which I have a Holga I can use. So to me going down this rabbit hole doesn't seem to be something to pursue.

 

[MattKing]

IMHO, the biggest reason to use 127 would be super slides, if one could develop E6 film in that size, and obtain mounts.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Super slides are great, but the Kolibri and Baby Ikonta can't make 4x4 slides; they make 4x3 images (ought to be able to get slide mounts for that with 2x2 inch frame, but I don't know that I've seen them -- might be able to make 828 slide mounts work, but those are even rarer than Super Slide 4x4 mounts). And you'd have to cut down 120 to get the film. Rerachrome is C-41 negatives, despite the name.

 

[markjwyatt]

Darn I just independently mentioned super slides on another thread. They were quite amazing projected. Really filled the screen.

 

[nosmok]

127 is nice for a very compact camera form, but scanning it (if you're into a d**ital product) is a HUGE pain in the ass, and even storing the negative strips requires one to get creative if you want something besides glassine envelopes (I use clear plastic stamp and currency album pages, but they are more expensive than photo neg pages). Also might need to be aware that some old cameras that look like 127 cameras actually are 129 film cameras, that took a 4x7cm (or so) exposure, so 127 backing paper numbers will cause overlap at the edges of every frame.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Also might need to be aware that some old cameras that look like 127 cameras actually are 129 film cameras, that took a 4x7cm (or so) exposure, so 127 backing paper numbers will cause overlap at the edges of every frame.

This, at least, can be fixed with a simple mask. A strip of black paper taped in place at the supply edge of the frame mask will eliminate the overlap, at the cost of needing to offset your composition a small amount.

 

[Alex Varas]

I serviced a Kolibri about two years ago, this is the test roll, I think it was Ilford Delta 100.
Main problem is parallax but you have to sort it out with practice.
Quality of photos is excellent:
https://flickr.com/photos/11782047@N02/sets/72157704300444631

I would get one myself if I can.