Getting started with ZEISS IKON NETTAR 517/16

[kkr2k2]

NOTE to the mods:Though this is not a RF folder, but I see some threads on this one in this section. Hence posting this thread in this section. If required you may move this thread to the appropriate section.


Hi every one!
I won this one few days back in the ebay. I might be receiving this one in couple of days. From the pictures, the camera appeared to be neat but the seller said though the camera needs a good cleaning it is in working condition.

I would like to know what all things in general needs to be cleaned apart from the lens.

Another thing is, I have read in this forum about removing the lens and re-fitting. Is it possible to fit lens from another camera? I see a Meyer Gortlitz 7.5cm f4.5-f22 Trioplan lens in a Prontor II shutter, with speeds of 1 to 1/175, plus Time & Bulb on ebay for sale. Can this be fitted on this camera. Nettar 517/16 comes with a Novar-Anastigmat f=75mm 1:6,3. I raised this query because both the lenses are for medium format with 75mm focal lengths!! 😀

Thank you.

Raj.

 

[p.giannakis]

Hi Raj,

Some of the things you have to check out is whether the leather bellows have holes and if all speeds are accurate. Another thing you might consider checking is the lens-to-film plane axis. It need to be straight. Sometimes (for example during a fall) the lens axis might bend and this will cause blurriness on one side of the pictures.
I would imagine that replacing a Novar f/6.3 with a 75 f/4.5 is not possible due to the difference in size of the lens elements - the novar is a smaller lens than a f/4.5. Unless if you change the whole lens together with the shutter. Other members will be able to answer this question better than me. As it is, the Novar is a pretty good lens, i have a 518/16 with the 75 f/4.5 and there are no difference in picture quality between the Novar and the Tessar 75 f/3.5 from 5.6 and above.

 

[hanskerensky]

Normally changing shutter/lens combinations is only possible if the linkage (and the stroke) to the shutter release lever is about the same. Also watch the depth of the new combination otherwise it's possible that you cannot close the frontdoor any more.

 

[chris00nj]

As mentions, You want to check the shutter speeds and the bellows. To do the latter, I open the back and shine a powerful flashlight in the back and look for leaks. Zeiss bellows seem to hold up whereas Agfa bellows are full of holes.
Also, you want to check the focus. These are front element focusing. I describe how to check and adjust it here.

I would just keep the Nettar original. I wouldn't bother messing with changing the lens. You can get a Ikonta 523/16 with Novar 75/3.5 for $50 on ebay. Besides, except at infinite, guess focusing is difficult at f/3.5 or f/4.5 so it doesn't the wide aperture have limited use.