Zeiss Super Ikonta 532/16: Just arrived. Stuck Lens cannot focus. Film advance issues::Who can service?

Hi all,
Ok, just got a Zeiss Super Iknonta 532/16. Everything about it seems to be in mint condition...with two exceptions I can see so far.

I cannot turn the lens at all in either direction to change focus. Not on the end of the lens itself, nor the wheel that you are supposed to be able to use to focus it.

I know nothing about repair of cameras.

Is there someone in the US that will service these things? So far, the shutter seems to trip...slow 1s speed seems to be about 1 second.

I may have a faulty counter/transport. I found the manual, AFTER I had tried a few test shots (no film). I had turned advance, set and fired shutter and then everything locked up on me.
I knew this thing has a strange mechanism, so, I didn't force anything.

I found an online manual: Zeiss Super Iknonta 532/16 Manual

So, I found how to disable the locking mechanism. I armed the shutter, fired it and kept the button pushed. While shutter button still down, I used my thumb to turn the counter past 11.

I thought it was fixed and synched. I moved the empty spool to the take up reel. I closed the back and pressed down on the counter and turned it to "1" where it stops, like it should.

But now, when trying to test dry firing it....I cock the shutter and it fires. However after this, the film advance knob will not turn...at all.
The only way I now can get. the film advance knob to turn, is to do the locking mechanism reset as described above...cock shutter, fire holding button down til turning counter past 11...at which point, I can then turn the film advance knob.
However, when turning the film advance knob...it still turns the counter dial and will continue to do so, till it reaches 1....and this is with me only turning the film advance knob, not moving the counter manually with my thumb by pressing down.

I thought undoing the locking mechanism completely disengaged the counter mechanism, until I pressed down on it and moved it manually to 1, to tell camera I had film loaded and was ready to shoot.


Anyway, I'm not sure if the mechanism is messed up or if I'm misunderstanding how it is supposed to work.

But I can't really test with film since I can't turn the lens to focus it at all....

So....anyone know anyone out there that come CLA on these cameras?

Thank you in advance,

cayenne

I would try Zacks in RI. Give him a call.

guangong said:

I would try Zacks in RI. Give him a call.

Click to expand...

Is this the place you were talking about?
Just checking my google search fu.....


Zack's Camera Repair

Also...if anyone knows, what would ya'll ballpark as an estimate for a CLA on a camera like this?

Thank you in advance!!

cayenne

I think the cost to repair it may be considerable, what w/ shipping both ways and all. If it were me I'd see if I could return it. Those cameras have a very complex rangefinder/lens/focus assembly.

Zack’s would be my first choice, he does good work. And yes, you have the right place.

KEH publishes some pricing on their website which is probably good as a rough ballpark. But much depends on the particular camera, and its condition.

Was the camera described as working? If so, return it.

Huss said:

Was the camera described as working? If so, return it.

Click to expand...

That’s also good advice. Still, if cosmetically mint condition, decision could depend on cost of camera+repair. Decisions, decisions!

If

momus said:

I think the cost to repair it may be considerable, what w/ shipping both ways and all. If it were me I'd see if I could return it. Those cameras have a very complex rangefinder/lens/focus assembly.

Click to expand...

If focusing is similar to my Super Ikonta B, it has the simplest, most robust focusing design ever put on a camera. Simply a rotating wedge itting on lens.

Huss said:

Was the camera described as working? If so, return it.

Click to expand...

Well, it was an eBay purchase, thankfully US to US transaction. The auction said "no returns". I did email them and told my findings and they said I could return.

I likely will do this, but will wait for reply from Zack first if I can get it today or tomorrow.

Shame tho....externally, this thing looks mint, like almost out of the package mint...there's only a couple little flaps on front of camera where the "skin" is a bit loose and could be fixed readily with a bit of super glue or something.

Lenses look good, everything...grr.

Thank you everyone for the input!!

C

momus said:

I think the cost to repair it may be considerable, what w/ shipping both ways and all. If it were me I'd see if I could return it. Those cameras have a very complex rangefinder/lens/focus assembly.

Click to expand...

Well, the research I've done so far, says that the focusing system, can commonly get "sticky" and stiff and hard to turn, requiring someone to disassemble the lens unit and clean and re-grease it....

But I'd not heard much about them being fully locked up tight and not turning at all.

I have had one completely frozen, it took good tools to removing it but finally the camera came back to work nicely.
But if the counter mechanism doesn’t work as manual says I would return the camera.

Other repairman who does this is Dan Daniel, user of this forum, he has experience with the camera as I have read here.
@Dan Daniel

cayenne said:

Well, it was an eBay purchase, thankfully US to US transaction. The auction said "no returns". I did email them and told my findings and they said I could return.

Click to expand...

Good. I've returned lots of items on ebay where the seller says "no returns". If the item is not as described you can do that .

cayenne said:

I'd not heard much about them being fully locked up tight and not turning at all.

Click to expand...

Agfa cameras are famous for using a focusing helical lubricant that could turn to stone. Google for horror stories of folks using solvents, baking, strap wrenches and exorcisms to unfreeze the helical.

Maybe somewhere along the line someone serviced your camera and relubed the helical with 'Genuine Agfa' grease.

As the seller offered a return, I would return it. Perhaps I would let him know that I would buy it again if he can solve the problems.

This is not an ultra rare camera. Don't waste your time, the film advance is quite complicated. Just take your refund and wait for anothe occasion...

xya said:

This is not an ultra rare camera. Don't waste your time, the film advance is quite complicated.

Click to expand...

I agree. I've had the frame counting part of mine apart (modifying it to get 12 exposures); it's got a lot of small parts and springs, though the compensation for film thickness build-up on the spool is about as simple as that can get. With both double exposure lock and focus problems, however, and on a camera that can't be used with the red window, I wouldn't pay "working" price, and I probably wouldn't buy one of these as a project camera.

I've been there, return it! This is why I started using the post War 523/16 cameras. They are zone focus but use the coated Tessar lens and use simple red window advance. Nothing to go wrong.

takilmaboxer said:

Nothing to go wrong.

Click to expand...

Well, less things, anyway. Still susceptible to light leaks and focus stiffness/lockup due to grease oxidation. Still, I like my 532/16, because once loaded and exposure set (in steady light) I can shoot through a whole roll without taking my eye off the viewfinder, if needed.